Yes, we hope you love yourself exactly the way you are right now. But life is about continuously growing and evolving, and what better time than the new year to make positive changes?

“I’ve been wearing my hair the same way since I was 5.”
Ponytails and headbands are great, but could it be time to update your do? Cropped pixies and bobs are expected to be popular in 2010 if you’ll let your stylist go scissor-happy. (C’mon, be brave!) If you’re adamantly against short hair, go shoulder length but play with it: buns or low ponies, curly or straight, middle or side part.

“I have OK clothes, but I don’t really have a style.”
So, you throw on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt most days? Great, but put a little personality into your look! You can really punch it up with accessories. Take a fashion trend -- hats, shawls and denim jackets are hot this season -- and make it your own by adding, say, that punk-rock pin you keep stuck to your bedside lampshade. Stylin’!

“I’m so sick of the drama between me and my friends.”
If you and the BFFs consistently have conflicts, remember: You can’t change their behavior, but you can change your own. So, take an honest look at your actions and promise yourself three things:

1.    “I will not put my friends down.”

2.    “If it’s not my biz, I’ll stay out of it.”

3.    “I won’t hold grudges.”

Follow these rules, and your relationships should improve.

“My grades aren’t too bad, but I know I could do better.”
If you know you’re not doing your best work, then you’re not trying hard enough. It’s one thing if you’re giving it your absolute all and still only coming out average, and that’s OK. But if you’re just getting by when you know you could be even slightly better? Crack the books. If you need a little boost, ask your teacher for some pointers.

“I just wish my parents would get off my back.”
Sometimes it seems the parentals are pushing you too hard, and the very next sec, they’re reining you in. Yeah, we know. Your best bet? Demonstrate maturity. Show them you’re responsible by coming home at curfew, keeping up with schoolwork and doing chores without being asked. We can almost guarantee this will keep them off your case -- and maybe even give you bargaining power for negotiating extra privileges!

When it comes to body issues, it seems every girl wants what she doesn’t have. Whatever you’ve got, it’s all femininely fab. So work with it!

 “I’m completely flat-chested and hate it”
There’s a shot your chest isn’t finished developing yet. But what’s wrong with being small-breasted? No sagging. You often can go (gasp!) braless. And there are all kinds of cute tops that look phenomenal on little boobies. Boobs are awesome no matter what their shape or size. Don’t think so? Tell that to Keira Knightley, Kate Hudson and Selma Blair -- all hotties with itty-bitties.

 “I think my butt is the size of a continent!”
Again, size doesn’t matter. As long as you’re fit -- and wearing clothes with a proper fit -- embrace the beauty of your booty. You’re probably self-conscious about something nobody else notices. If, on the other hand, you are truly overweight, rather than bod-bashing, make healthy lifestyle changes. Eat more veggies and less fat-filled food, and vow to keep active.

 “All my friends have their periods, but I don’t. Am I normal?”
The average age for a first period is 12, but girls can start menstruating as young as 8 and as old as 15. Usually, menstruation comes about two years after your breasts begin to bud. If you’re mid-teen and haven’t gotten it, speak to a doc. Otherwise, look for signs it’s on its way: cramps, breakouts, sore breasts. Or maybe your only warning will be a sudden moist feeling between your legs. Be prepared by keeping an emergency kit in your backpack with clean undies, maxi pads and panty liners.

“I’m sprouting hair in places I don’t care to mention”
You mean, your underarms and pubic area? Maybe your upper lip? Yeah, that happens during puberty. What you want to do about it is a personal choice. Some girls wear their body hair proudly. Others prefer fur-free. If you don’t like the fuzz, you can remove it by shaving (not the lip or arms!) or waxing, or make it less noticeable with bleaching. Here’s a thought: Talk to your mom, aunt or older sister about your hairy situation.

Nikki Goldstein, author of GirlForce: A Girl’s Guidebook for the Body and Soul, gave us the inside scoop on how air, fire and Earth elements dominate your well-being, based on the ancient practice of Ayurveda. One elemental energy rules for most girls. What’s your type? Read below to find which one fits you best…then be your best you!

Are You an Air Girl?
Girls who are air types are generally creative and adventurous with slim frames. They can be tall or short, but usually have brownish skin, dark freckles, frizzy hair, small eyes, small teeth (sometimes cute and crooked) and dark eyes.

Standout traits Imaginative and quick-witted, you’re a natural-born innovator. You’d make a good fashion designer or astrophysicist. Too much to do, so little time? You also tend to get stressed, scatterbrained, nervous and exhausted.

Make it work Get plenty of rest and eat warm meals. Light and gentle exercise, such as yoga or tai chi, is balance for your body and mind.

Are You a Fire Girl?
Fire-type girls are passionate and determined. They often have medium-sized athletic builds, reddish and blond hair tones, and piercing green-blue or hazel eyes. Skin tends to get sunburned.

Standout traits You make everyone’s party list because you’re dynamic, passionate and magnetic. Still, you’re not always right! It’s a virtue to be a good loser and let others share some of the spotlight.

Make it work To take the pressure off, try swimming and outdoor sports to keep you cool and balanced. Also skip the coffee and fried foods and eat salads and fresh fruit instead.

Are You an Earth Girl?
Earth types are often dreamy and low-key. You might have a larger, curvy build, skin that is pale for your race, thick hair, and large, dark brown or blue eyes. Earthlings generally don’t like exercise.

Standout traits You’re the one everyone depends on in a crisis. You’re a devoted friend who brings balance to any relationship. But when you let yourself go, you end up horizontal.

Make it work Don’t give in to your laid-back nature to the degree that you become lazy and lackluster. You need a light diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, plus plenty of regular exercise. Push yourself to meet new people and avoid relationship ruts.

Karate chop! It’s time to whip your self-confidence into shape. Hasn’t anyone told you that you can learn to be fabulous? It’s not about your looks -- it’s your thinking. Your happiness, appearance and relationships all hinge on how you perceive -- and present -- yourself.

Tell Your Inner Nag to Shut It!
Stop hating on yourself, would ya? Everyone from the Dalai Lama to Oprah talks about how our thoughts transfer to our experiences. Thinking you’re fat or dumb or not good enough for some guy is the reality as long as you’re believing it.

Try this: When you catch yourself listening to negative self-talk, stop. Picture something you adore about your life, your looks or your little quirks. Like the cool bond you have with your sis or how that blue dress looks so much better on you than it does on the hanger. Smile. Hold that grin.

Believe in Your Own Greatness
Maybe you feel other girls are so much smarter, prettier, cooler.…Well, we can’t argue with the fact that there are a lot of great gals out there. But guess what: You’re one of ‘em!

Try this: Being your total self is about rolling all the best parts of you into one impressive presentation. Instead of wishing you were a clone of someone else, take a look at everyone around you. Realize that you have just as many good qualities as the girl sitting next to you. It’s just that each of you has a unique blueprint. Rock yours!

Give Ugly the Day off
Everyone has that friend who obsesses over her looks. She can’t pass a store window without stopping to adjust her shirt, inspect her lips, tuck a hair. She picks, picks, picks until she scoffs: “I look horrible!” Meanwhile, she’s cute as can be. Um, pardon, is that friend…you?

Try this: Do a single glance in the a.m., then totally avoid mirrors and windows (shiny spoons? dang, vain!). Break free of the focus on your physical appearance so you can look within. Are you getting good grades, feeling fit and hanging with the right people? No mirrors! To pump up your self-esteem, it’s time for inner reflection.

Thirteen-year-old Kristen was worried about looking like a fool at field hockey tryouts. Plus, she figured that even if she made the cut, it would take up too much time. Have concerns like hers kept you from going out for a sport? It’s true that joining a team makes you busier, but it also adds to the quality of your life and teaches you valuable lessons. Here are some of the sneaky benefits of being a team player!

Make New Friends
Deep personal bonds develop by sharing exciting victories and dealing with losses with your teammates. You'll really get to know some great girls in your grade and in upper classes who can help you -- on and off the field.

Get Your Fit on!
By practicing a sport, you'll stay fit. You'll strengthen your cardiovascular system and improve your muscle tone. Translation? You can wear that cool minidress and look great. But even better: You'll feel great too.

Learn Life Skills
Our competitive society consists of winners, losers, lucky shots and bad calls. Sports help you prepare for that. Playing on a team teaches you to work in a group and deal with the ups and downs of life.

Stay Super-smart!
Girls who play sports get better grades in school and are more likely to graduate than girls who do not participate in sports. Sure, college may seem like light-years away, but it’s never too soon to start up some activities that will punch up your applications. Selection committees look for well-rounded, active, involved candidates.

Feel Great About Yourself!
Girls and women who play sports have more confidence and a higher self-esteem -- as well as lower levels of depression. Their body image is more positive too, and they experience higher states of psychological well-being than girls and women who do not play sports.

Have Future Career Success
Sports is where boys have traditionally learned about teamwork, goal setting, the pursuit of performance excellence and other achievement-oriented behaviors -- all necessary for success in the workplace. According to the Women’s Sports Foundation, it is no accident that 80 percent of female executives at big companies identify themselves as former “tomboys” who played sports!