In honor of the beautiful new year, I listened to various podcasts and takes on “ins and outs of 2026.” These podcasts inspired me to come up with a list of my own, so here is my personal take on what I think should stick around and what shouldn’t.
DISCLAIMER: most of these are reminders for me 🙂
IN:
– Inconveniencing yourself (reasonably)
- Show up for your friends and loved ones, even if you feel tired.
- Make the time for people; if you made a commitment, BE THERE!
- Don’t go if you absolutely cannot or will be compromising your well-being drastically (obviously) but try to push yourself out of your comfort zone and be more caring to those around you even when you don’t necessarily feel like it.o Show up for your friends and loved ones, even if you feel tired.
– Authenticity
- Be true to what you like!
- Don’t compromise your taste or favorite hobbies because it isn’t trending. Also don’t make things your personality just because they are trending (I’m not rocking with that, and you can tell its performative… sorry).
- I feel like the more I’ve honed into what I actually like doing and wearing, etc., I feel so much more confident and in-turn, cooler .
– Not posting everything on social media
- Keep some joy to yourself and enjoy some things alone.
- I’ve found this has helped me mentally and takes away some stress of what others think of me.
- In a way, it feels like you are keeping a fun secret that only you are in on.
– Reading in public without being seen as performative
- Half the reason I don’t read in public is because I fear people will see me as performative. I’m done with that.
- I will be taking my Kindle with me and reading outside of the house and not be embarrassed.
– Meeting people in-person, not through social media
- This is self-explanatory, I just want social interaction.
– In-person conversations
- This goes along with the one before, but if you can avoid a text and talk to someone in person, you should.
- It gives us a chance to have something to talk about when I see you!
– Keeping trendy things after the trend is over
- If you can keep styling/using things after the big trend is over, you are automatically so cool.
- Be sustainable people!
- This is also a reminder to buy things you like, not just because it’s trendy. If you like something and it is/becomes a trend, buy it girl (you pioneered that)!
OUT:
– “Situationships”
- What does this even mean…
- I’m tired of hearing this word.
- I don’t like the games, and this sounds stupid to me… sorry for being harsh but it had to be said.
– Aesthetics/Cores
- I’m done with these.
- It is just over-consumption with a cute name attached.
- People are way more complex and shouldn’t feel subjected to ONE vibe of outfit.
- You can love to wear pajama sets and have a princess bed AND tear it up at the club.
– AI
- Enough said.
- We need to think, challenge our brains, and be able to send a text without the help of AI.
XOXO, Jaden