It's official. We've made it into the new year. Some of my friends entered this year while having fun on a road trip, others were partying it up in a club or counting down in a romantic setting on holiday.

I, on the other hand, was at home with my family. Asleep.

Sure, I think that ultimately this is just one more day in that cycle of 365. But don’t get me wrong, there is the other half of me that holds on to possibility and is excited about today.

It's the first day of a new year. A day that represents hope, the excitement of new things and new opportunities. The possibility of new connections and new love.

I'm not really big on resolutions. They're usually very difficult things for me to stick to. So I won't call them ‘resolutions’ but rather rename them as ‘personal ideals’.

I hope to love without reservation. To be less selfish and more forgiving. To tell the people I love how important they are to me. To look after myself, my body and my heart.

Now tell us … what are your ‘personal ideals’ for this year? And what are the things you want to change for the better?