It's a wonderful life! Wanna make this not just a ho-hum new year but 12 magnificent months to remember? We aim to please. That's why we're giving you 20 wondrous ways to have the best year ever…

Girls' Life, Dec, 2004 by Sandy Fertman Ryan

Sure, not every day of the year will be all sunshine and lollipops. But most of them can be! Here's the catch: Only you can make it happen. It's a piece of cake, really, with our supersolid ways to have a rockin' 2005....

1 GAIN THE 'TUDE! So maybe you don't have the perfect bod, perfect hair or perfect threads but, aside from Beyonce, who does? Even if you were to have all of those things, it wouldn't guarantee a great year. What you need more than anything is a good attitude. Experts agree that if you have a positive 'tude you'll be happier than someone who sees her cup as half empty. Happiness isn't having what you want--it's wanting what you have!

2 SAY 'TA-TA' TO TOXIC FRIENDS "Making a list, checking it twice, gonna find out who's naughty or nice!" Got a friend who talks behind your back? Flirts with your crush? Constantly copies your homework? You've got a toxic friend! Hey, an occasional friendship flub is no biggie--everybody screws up. But if she's a serial offender, toss that girl like yesterday's newspaper.

3 SHAKE THAT BODY Besides kissing (got your attention!), the next best way to naturally lift your spirits is by exercising. And while you're movin' the muscles, you'll also keep that booty in tip-top shape. Commit to at least 20 minutes of hardcore exercise three times a week. Your endorphins--and your jeans--will love you for it!

4 LAUGH OUT LOUD Going through hard times can be unbelievably painful. But have you ever felt that when it hurts so bad, the only thing you can do is--well, laugh? Use your sense of humor to perk you up during tough stuff this year! Watch comedies, read joke books, or hang out with hilarious friends. It's a miraculous way to yank yourself out of gloom and doom.

5 MAKE NEW BUDS Once you've cleared the poisonous pals from your life, you're gonna have room for new friends. This is the time to surround yourself with upbeat, positive pals. Not only are they more fun than those nagging, complaining, gossipy buds you used to hang out with, but you'll find their optimistic attitude contagious. And while you're at it, how 'bout throwing in a few guy friends, too? Hey, there's nothing like a guy pal to lean on when things are kind of iffy in the boy department.

6 BE A DO-GOODER No question about it: When you help others in need, it helps you feel good, too. As an added bonus, you get to temporarily escape your own angst-filled head. If you can volunteer at least once a month--whether it's at a food bank or pet shelter--you'll be that much more appreciative of your own beautiful life. And your year will be all the sweeter.

7 GO FOR THE GOALS Don't set yourself up for failure by picking pie-in-the-sky goals. Instead, aim for what's reachable, then write down a simple plan of action. Having goals, and achieving them, is an important part of having a purposeful, happy year.

8 GOODBYE, SHY OK, we know it's tough getting the nerve to talk to new people, but if you're outgoing--even just a little more than you are now--you're more likely to be happy. Friendships help you grow in so many lab ways, and give you the opp to open up and share with others. And guess what? That's how you discover you're not the freak you suspected you were. So take a chance, smile, and let the love in!

9 PUT ON A HAPPY FACE Hands down, the single best way to make sure you have a good year--and great life!--is to be happy with yourself. Be less self-critical and more appreciative of what you've got going for you. Increased confidence ultimately gives you satisfaction. And while you're boosting yourself up, don't shrug off compliments from others. Next time you hear, "You look pretty," instead of, "Yeah, right," say, "Thanks!"

10 JOIN THE CLUB Sure, you have tons of activities. But if you do something you've always been interested in but never had the guts to try, it can add so much to your life. People who try new things--whether it's photography or skateboarding--are happier than those who stick to the same old routine.

11 FOLLOW YOUR BLISS We all have things we're passionate about--drawing, acting or even decorating your room. If you want an unbelievable year, do what you love and do it more often. Express yourself!

12 KEEP A JOURNAL Even during the best of times, every girl needs a place to get absolutely everything off her chest. And aside from your cool--and unbelievably patient--BFF, there's no better way to do that than by jotting your thoughts down in a journal. So how 'bout ridding yourself of bummer thoughts by expressing them in your personal notepad? It's an awesome place to put your daily gripes to rest. R.I.P., baby ...

13 CRACK THE BOOKS Feel overly pressured to stay on top of things? Get a jump on your schoolwork by keeping up with assignments--and then some. May sound ho-hum, but imagine the extra energy you'll have by avoiding the last-minute crunch. And guys dig honor-roll chicks!

14 MASTER YOUR EMOTIONS Of course, there's no way to totally control your emotions. But you can make sure your emotions don't take control of you. Like, it's totally natural to feel blue once in a while. But give yourself a time limit for how long you're going to stay in the darkness. When the time is up, get busy--with anything! Soon, the only blues you'll have will be the ones you're wearin'.