Welcome to 2025, babe. Let’s strap in and prepare for some possible chaos. Honestly, though, I’m choosing to be as delusionally optimistic as I can about things. There’s only so much control I have, and I can’t single-handedly fix the hellscape of the current country. Catastrophizing isn’t going to help anyone, but I do believe deeply in controlling your own reactions and emotions to difficult situations. Pair that with being intentional in your relationships and community and staying committed to growth, and it feels like a way forward.
With that in mind, I’m obsessed with the in/out trend, so I decided to bring it here. Let’s go.
In
- Media literacy & Fact-checking: In a world of misinformation and opinions disguised as fact, I think now more than ever it’s important to implement your own fact-checking. This also includes being mindful of what you share with others and on social media. I personally think having a mix of news sources is important. I value Democracy Now, MSNBC, TechCrunch, The Verge, some citizen reporting, and thoughts from trusted industry leaders.
- Using Notion to set and achieve our goals: Goal setting is really cool and hot, but if they are bigger goals, it can be hard to figure out how to reach them. I think having something to track against is helpful to actually achieve them. Notion allows you to house everything in one place, making it easy to understand where you are and where you need to go.
- Alternative luxury: Luxury that isn’t traditionally defined as luxury is the best. Think being offline, time-blocked pleasure, and scenic travel. Or maybe something physical, like drinking green juice out of a crystal goblet or eating caviar and chips off vintage-sourced silver on a Tuesday evening.
- Mastering little basics (knife skills, sewing buttons, etc.): For me, there are little ways I want to elevate my daily life to feel more organized. I’m focusing on the basics that make a big impact, like being able to do some basic sewing (buttons, rips, and hems), practicing homeopathic remedies, and, of course, refining my chopping skills.
- Owned Media / Physical Media: Magazines, DVDs, records, CDs, books, newspapers—I want it all. In a world where everything is paywalled or being removed from streaming platforms, being able to physically own your material is it. Also, semi-related, but creators owning their actual content is important too, whether that means building their own newsletters, blogs, or websites.
- Financial Literacy: You can always learn more. In 2025, I’m focusing on learning how I can build a beautiful and abundant future.
- Oatmeal baths: Nothing calms and moisturizes my skin quite like an oatmeal bath.
- Being grateful: I truly think it’s important to stay thankful for what you have in life and for what’s working. I believe that gratitude attracts great things, and being as positive as you can will only bring you more.
- Subscribing to my email newsletter
Out
- Amazon & Whole Foods: Pay people fair wages. Give people ETHICAL working conditions. Fuck billionaires.
- Engagement-bait content: This is content designed solely to manipulate people into interacting with a post—whether by liking, commenting, sharing, or reacting. It’s not about genuine connection or value; it’s about gaming algorithms for visibility. Examples include emotionally manipulative storytelling that exaggerates to provoke reactions, false dilemmas, open-ended clickbait, shaming or divisive questions, and, if I’m being really controversial, people having an intentional pity party—idk, take that shit to a therapist. It feels calculated and shallow, often capitalizing on people’s emotions—like rage or pity—just to spark engagement.
- Overly complicated skincare routines: Enough with the massive number of products—it’s just another form of overconsumption. And trust me, I’ve been more than guilty of this.
- Weaponizing mental illness: I think sometimes people use their mental illness as an excuse for shitty or just not great behaviors. There’s a difference between taking accountability and saying, “This is why something is more difficult for me,” versus using it as a reason not to try. I know that sounds harsh, but a little growth and reflection is always good.
- Buying something just to buy something: I’m very guilty of doing this—I love the dopamine chase. But it can feel really fleeting. So in 2025, I’m focusing on knowing when I’m buying something for that chase versus because I really like or need it.
- Being unintentional about plans: I saw a TikTok (I KNOW, I KNOW) recently about how canceling plans last minute really destroys relationships, and I have to agree. Emergencies happen, and that’s fine, but consciously flaking (even if you don’t have the “spoons”) is kinda shitty. Instead, let’s really be in the moment and intentional about the time we’re giving each other.
- Dry cuticles: My worst habit is not using my cuticle oil nearly enough. I’ve fallen out of the habit. So I’m adding mini bottles to my desk, bathroom, and a few of my purses.
- Trend chasing: Social media has really accelerated the trend cycle, and it’s so easy to feel left out or like you’re not keeping up. I feel like I see this the most with fashion, but in 2025, we’re curating our actual personalities, style, interests, and passions.
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