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Say byeee to 2022 and roll out the metaphorical red carpet for 2023, because it's time for a new year's refresh.

Ready to make the most of the bright, shiny 12 new months ahead—but you're not quite sure how to go about it? Insert a big sigh of relief, because we've got you. And by "we" we mean all the greatest sages of our time, because we've compiled some no-fail rules from pop culture's finest to live by this year.

There's always a bright side, even in the worst situations.

Can we please take a sec to talk about the guide to life that is Encanto? The movie is full of wise words and solid advice, but there's one gem of wisdom from Mirabel that really stands out. Her quote: "Even in our darkest moments, there's light where you least expect it." So when 2023 serves up some challenges, remember that there is light—even if it doesn't seem like it at first.

Be safe and take big risks.

Miss Jenn gives that advice to Nini in the third season of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, but you don't have to be pursuing lofty music industry goals for that mantra to be the best...or to manifest Olivia Rodrigo's main character energy for your year.

There is no normal.

If you find yourself feeling awkward, weird or any form of different-in-a-not-great-way in 2023, here's some wisdom straight from Kamala Khan aka Ms. Marvel: "There is no normal. There's just us and what we do with what we've been given." And if what you've been given isn't like what the people around you have been given, do the world a favor and make the most of sharing everything that's uniquely you with the rest of us.

Learning to love yourself has to be top priority.

Leave it to Lizzo to take *all* of our insecurities and confront them lyrically. When she belts out, "How am I supposed to love somebody else?/When I don't love myself, like, ooh/Guess I better learn to like this, ooh/It might take my whole life just to do" in "2 Be Loved," we truly feel seen, The powerful lyrics are proof that even a confident queen like Lizzo struggles with self-love—and they're also a perfect reminder of why learning to celebrate the amazing human you are is vital (even if it's just a whole process to get there).

Don't settle for same old, same old. 

Take a page from the Belly Conklin guide to living your best life and, well, just decide that it's time to live that best life, In The Summer I Turned Pretty, Belly puts this advice in action when she explains, "I thought this summer was going to be like all the other summers, but it's not. Because I won't let it be. So don't let this year be like all the other years—because it doesn't have to be.

Accept change.

When Harry Styles released Harry's House, he didn't just drop new tracks for our shared obsession, he also included plenty of wisdom. Take the chorus of "As It Was," for example, in which Harry sings, "In this world, it's just us/You know it's not the same as it was." Obviously, this hits directly at post-pandemic vibes, but this simple sentiment applies to life in general. So when life throws you a curveball or a big change, take a deep breath, grab your bestie's hand for support and keep on moving.

Expect the best (and kick butt doing it).

Normally, we instantly bow down to any words spoken from Zendaya's lips, but we all knew we had an exception on our hands the first time she uttered MJ's pessimistic life motto, "If you expect disappointment, then you can never really be disappointed." Ofc, by the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home, MJ ditches her super cynical take on life (and even interrupts Peter when he tries to quote it back to her). So be like end-of-movie MJ and keep your mind primed for success.

Hey, girl! Just wanted to let you know that this story originally ran in our December/January 2023 issue. Want more? Read the print mag for free *today* when you click HERE.

GIFs via Giphy
Slider image: @lizzobeeating
Header image: @zendaya

by Kayleigh Roberts | 12/31/2022