New Year, New Me?: Ins & Outs for 2024
Maybe it's too close to call, but 2024 feels like a collective voyage to actually being our most authentic and best selves, more so than previous years. Below I’ve attached a list of some In’s and Outs to help you along your journey. Read them below and let me know what you think.
Things we are leaving in 2023:
Denim on Denim
Denim on Denim, sometimes referred to as a Canadian Tuxedo, might be looking at its final days. This is extremely controversial especially (coming from me), but I think it is time we retire the all denim fits and leave them in 2023. Or maybe we should’ve left it in 2001 with Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. I think this also speaks to a large phasing out of the whole Y2K aesthetic but! It was so much fun while it lasted, but it is starting to feel redundant.
Snapchat as a form of communication
It was cute in 2017, maybe even 2019, but it ends right here in 2023. We are all able to pick up the phone and Snapchat unfortunately has run its course. I will no longer be accepting Snapchat as a valid form of communication starting today!
Large group Birthday Dinners
The year just started so if you have a large group birthday dinner planned for 2024 this is a notice to stop what you are doing and start to think outside the box for your birthday. I hate to be the person to say it, but once you’ve invited more than six people to your birthday dinner, it starts to feel inorganic. A small intimate birthday dinner is a wonderful way to celebrate, but this is specifically directed to the party of 20+ group dinners in midtown. It’s not fun anymore, and the bill situation always gets drama.
Caffeine on an empty stomach
When you really think about it, starting off your day with caffeine for breakfast is actually ridiculous. As a daily coffee drinker myself, I’ve started to realize the impacts of only drinking coffee on an empty stomach. It makes me feel way more on edge and anxious, so when you make you reach for the cup of coffee this new year, maybe circle back and grab some toast beforehand.
Instagram Dumps
Now before things get even more controversial… you and I both know that Instagram dumps are not what they used to be. Instead, they’ve become way less lighthearted and way more orchestrated, and it defeats the point! However, I do think it's a step in the right direction in curating content for yourself and less for the public view. I have spent TOO much time trying to create the perfect Insta dump this year, and I am tired of the casual Instagram olympics. No more!
What's In for 2024?
Regular phone calls instead of Facetime
I truly think we’ve lost the art of communication, and going back to phone calls is one way we can restore years of awkward facetimes and extensive text messages. Think about it! 20 years ago, all you had was a phone and a dream, and connections were still made! Less is more sometimes, and this extends into how we communicate.
Doing whatever you want with your natural hair
For all my textured hair friends! There’s no one way to do your hair, and the natural hair community makes it feel like our hair will break with anything. Do what works for you, and if that means getting a silk press biweekly, then so be it!
Cooking your own meals
We are growing up, and we cannot keep UberEats/Doordashing our way through this life. If cooking is intimidating for you, start with a frozen food item from Trader Joe’s! Or maybe start small with something you can airfryer. As someone who has spent hundreds of dollars on food service apps this year, I am encouraging you all to join me. Cooking with friends is also another way to make it seem less intimidating.
Going for walks
Raise your hand if you got running shoes over the break! Extra points if they were Hokas. Nonetheless, it's time to put them to use this year and start going on walks around campus. It's so good for you and is even more fun with a friend.
Making plans during the weekday instead of the weekend
The work week will only feel longer if we are only saving our fun plans for the weekend. The weekend is simply not enough time to do everything you want and still feel refreshed. I challenge you to start making plans with friends during the week to make it feel way more bearable.
This concludes my Ins & Outs for 2024 and I challenge you to ditch the New Year resolutions and create your own set of In’s and Outs for the New Year.