It's easy to make resolutions on New Year's Day.

After sifting through a disaster zone of empty beer bottles and chips crunched into the carpet, the words flow freely.

"I will never drink again."

It's perhaps the most common resolution for a 20-something person, but also the most often broken (and almost never a serious one).

Instead, usually these days-after are combined with a hearty breakfast around noon consisting of greasy bacon, eggs of every variety and the largest cup of coffee available.

Couple that with hangover banter about last night's best moments and Beavis and Butthead-esque laughter, and you've got another great party for the books.

Despite the headache and shawarma breath, who would have guessed new year's could be as much fun as the movie The Hangover? (Except without losing any teeth or stealing Mike Tyson's tiger.)

So maybe the real resolution is to never drink that much again, although I can tell you right now that no one's going to keep that one either.

(But I know a few people who probably won't drink mystery liquor shots ever again.)

Once the party haze clears, the genuine resolutions begin.

For many 20-somethings who rang in 2010, Jan. 1 will mark the start of a good year.

It has to be good - it must - because 2009 was just so bad for some of us.

With a raging bad economy, many new post-secondary grads looking for work met a brick wall. Or else they got fired from short contract positions because being the lowest on the totem pole means getting canned first.

Pair that with the questionable self-confidence of a quarter-life crisis (you'll find out soon enough if you're under age 25), and you've got one bad trip until life starts to turn around.

(Trust me. I spent most of last year unemployed, living with my future in-laws and running out of money. Joy!)

So, if you see a 20-something with bright eyes and a cheerful attitude, they might have just made a resolution to be optimistic this year.

After all, there's nowhere to go but up from the bottom.

Optimism may be the new black for young folk when it comes to what's in style this season.

It's a change from a combination of dark humour and sarcasm, which has become a second language for many of us thanks to TV shows Arrested Development and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

I suspect taking an optimistic approach on job searching and life in general will be a popular resolution this year.

Carpe diem! Long live 2010!

(Hey, it could be worse. Being positive is way better than deciding to spend all your money on candy this year, or on getting fresh a la Jersey Shore with tans and haircuts.)

My own hope for 20-somethings this year is that we spend more time away from The Situation and more on making 2010 memorable.

Forget dieting to lose those five holiday pounds, there are better ways to spend your time and resolutions.

Speaking from experience, it can be difficult to secure financial and personal independence after leaving the nest and not having a full-time job.

But the sweet taste of independence that comes with a first paycheque or feeling secure in your first apartment is juicy enough to want more.

I expect 2010 to be a big year for 20-somethings, whether it's getting over an epic New Year's Eve hangover or jumping an unemployment hurdle.

But if none of these resolutions work for you, make one to buy a new calendar. Whether it's puppy or hot firemen-themed, that's always doable.