What I Learned in 2016 - Life Lessons from 10 Smart Women

With 2017 upon us, Im sure many of you are compiling New Years resolutions and setting your goals for the year ahead.

As excited as I am for a fresh start, I think its just as important to take a moment to reflect on what weve learned in 2016.

I know many of us have had a challenging year. But in bad times, as in good, there are wonderful lessons to be learned.

And so I asked friends and family of all ages to share what they learned in 2016. Theyre very honest and touching accounts and each stopped me in my tracks.

Here are their top lessons learned - head to The Bare Essential (a lifestyle website for natural skincare, ethical fashion and living with fewer, better things) for the full list.

In 2016 I learned how to receive gracefully be it a gift, advice or love. In fact, just yesterday I was chatting with a couple of friends over text and I told them I have a bad cold. One friend offered to bring me chicken soup and the other honey-lemon-ginger tea. In the past I would have said oh no. Thank you so much anyway but I am fine, because I wouldnt want them going out of their way to help me. But yesterday I let them bring me their delicious gifts and I felt nurtured. At the same time I could tell that it gave them pleasure to give. Nikki

I learned to be easier on myself that what someone else does may not be possible, or right, for me. Its something that I have always known, but this year was the first time that it truly resonated in my own life. I also realized that its okay to say no, that it isnt healthy to fill every free hour of my diary, to plan readings for my commute, to never simply stop and look out the window. Time is the most precious resource, not a dimension to be filled; 2016 taught me to choose consciously how to spend it, and to stand behind those choices. Lucy

This year I learned that the gold is in the shit. I think the real expression is the gold is in the dirt, buy you get the picture. And so now when something painful happens, my first reaction is still to get angry, or feel sorry for myself. But then I stop and remember that there is a lesson to be learned. And if I can avoid the temptation to run away from an uncomfortable feeling, and just sit with it, I may learn something about myself (and even find a little nugget of gold). Katja

This year I returned to work when my son was six months old. Working full time while raising my son has made me realize I cant be everything to everyone. This little person depends on me and looks up to me. My husband needs me. And so Im learning to be a little softer on myself. I no longer focus on where I should be in my life right now. Some friendships may fall by the wayside, leaving the special ones to flourish. The surprising thing is by loosening my grip a little, I have never felt more content. Renee

Earlier this year I set myself the goal to get healthy. I started weight lifting and using the mens section of the gym. It was petrifying. Were people staring and laughing at me? I didnt belong there! But truthfully no one cared, and the boys were more interested in their own physiques than mine! Over time I even managed to lift more weights and do more squats than many of the men. And so Ive let that be a lesson to myself to stop questioning and start believing in myself. Rumana

I recently realized that Im not responsible for everyones happiness. Letting go of the guilt of failing to please others is not easy for me. Like most women, I care about the wellbeing of my friends and family. And while I continue to care, if someone wants to be grumpy, I am not going to go out of my way to brighten their mood. Nor will I let them drag me down with them. It might sound selfish, and maybe it is, but I am really just looking out for my own feelings without hurting others. Monika

In 2016 I learned to let go. I used to panic when something would happen that I couldnt control and it felt like the fear would go on forever. But of course it didnt. So now if something happens and I am thrown into a vortex of strong emotions I try to just observe them and remind myself, This feeling is just for this moment. Its not forever and its not my entire life. Mastering this skill is a work in progress for me so I try to look at each challenge that arises as an opportunity to work on myself. Nikki

We all want good friends. Thats a given. 2016 was a year of hard won lessons on friendship the getting, the keeping, the losing and letting go. For me, knowing when to release a person or a relationship when it no longer serves or nurtures either person has been my biggest lesson. Tess

Being at home with my two-year old and newborn, Im most proud of maintaining relative balance in my life at a time when it could have become very one dimensional. Ive managed to continue one of my greatest passions, running, did a substantial amount of volunteer work to get my mojo back before returning to work and have wrapped the year up with interviews for some great jobs. Jen

Katja Buhrer is a clean beauty and wellness writer in Brooklyn, New York City. Sign up for her free weekly wellness tips via her website .