2025 is well underway, but don’t fret, I’m here to tell you exactly how you should live your life this year. Not only that, but my expert advice will reveal everything you did wrong last year. From that guy who was way under your league, (seriously, what were you thinking??) to the insane amount you spent on cultivating that expensive wardrobe, 2024 was a mess. I have deemed myself the know-it-all on this topic, so I have compiled a list of completely random ins and outs to make your 2025 much better than your atrocious 2024. And hey, if it doesn’t work out this year don’t worry, 2026 is going to be your year.
IN: The “This and Yap” trend
If you’re chronically online like I am, then you’ve seen this trend. The idea is doing something cute and basic, and yapping with your friends for hours while you do it. It may be grabbing coffee, shopping or a cute dinner, but whatever it is the company is what matters most. So this year, we are setting aside some quality time with our friends, scheduling study dates (cause who studies anyways) and blocking out hours of our weekends to simply let it all out. In my humble but always correct opinion, there is absolutely nothing that a good yap session with a close friend cannot fix, despite the fact that you’re probably talking about the same tea over and over again. Don’t worry, there’s always more to add!
OUT: Tip culture
Okay, okay, I get it, some people’s salaries depend on their tips-but this cannot be the case for everyone in the world. I’m not telling you to stop tipping your server or nail artist 20% percent, in fact I will shame you if you don’t. I’m saying don’t feel ashamed if you don’t have an extra dollar when the sales associate who did nothing but give you weird looks from the corner of a random boutique, turns that iPad around. Feel free to go ahead and smash that no tip button, and really emphasize eye contact as you do it. Tip culture has gotten out of hand, and all I have to say to that is in this economy?? Personally, I am pocketing that dollar to put towards my next overpriced coffee.
IN: Self-care
This year, I mean it. I am setting an entire day of the week aside for just me, and I urge you to do the same. No friends, no homework, just me cleaning my room, a facemask and a candle. Personally, I believe this is the most effective way to avoid burnout in any aspect. My theory is that if you schedule your reset day, plan it out and look forward to it, you’ll be more productive the rest of the week, and you won’t be as tempted to scroll on TikTok until the end of time.
OUT: Doom scrolling
Speaking of TikTok, stop doom scrolling! This may be a hard one to stomach, as you may experience some withdrawal symptoms, (nausea, headaches, feelings that the world as you know it is collapsing beneath your feet) but in the long run it will be much more beneficial. I too am a victim of this raging epidemic, and as someone who loves scrolling, I assure you I’m not advising you to cut it out all together. Look, there’s a fine line between just scrolling for 30 minutes, taking a break from your homework and having a staring contest with your screen for three hours. Maybe let’s just start by cutting down that screen time from 13 hours to a respectable seven, take the wake up call that was the TikTok ban, and step away from the app for good. Or at least for a few hours.
IN: Dressing up for no reason
Stop saving your nice outfits! You aren’t ever going to wear them! Please, it’s not worth spending $80 on a cute top if you’re only going to wear it to that one concert over the summer. You heard it here: you can look cute all the time. No one will judge, I swear! You can wear interesting tops when you’re just running errands or lounging with your friends. You can wear jeans to school. Wear your clothes! You’ll become a fashion icon if you do, I promise.
OUT: Trying to fit trends
Not everything needs to have bows on it. You don’t need the ugly micro bloomer shorts. A little leopard is okay, but don’t let it consume your life. The thing about micro trends is that they’re just that; micro. The second you see it on TikTok, it’s basically already over. So don’t break an arm trying to always be on trend, as it’s probably going to be out by the time your Edikted package ships. Plus, fast fashion is super bad for the planet, so buy clothes you actually like and not just what the internet tells you to.
IN: Quality over quantity
For the last In to create your amazing 2025, I’ve chosen the most important motto that you should carry with you throughout the year. Start applying this to everything in your life, friendships, clothing, hard classes, and I guarantee you’ll see an improvement in your crippling depression. This year we are knocking off excess things that don’t serve a purpose, that aren’t durable. It’s not about the amount of friends in your circle, it’s who will show up for you when you need it that matters. Also, clean out your closet and start investing in essentials that’ll hold up. AKA stop buying from SHEIN, you know who you are.
OUT: People pleasing
Okay if you’ve been ignoring all my advice, stop now! This one’s easily the most important Out, as it never should’ve been in your life in the first place. Listen. I get it, I really do. I know it’s easier to stay quiet and not share your opinion, to just stay with that guy or girl, to just accept whatever comes your way, but this year it’s over. This is the year that you finally grow a backbone and stop letting people walk all over you, in any area of your life. Harsh truth, but people pleasing is a thief of joy, many people fall victim to it. Don’t let yourself be one of them! If you disagree, start saying so! (But not to me, I’m always right.)
So there you have it, my master guide to making sure this year really is your year. Listen to me or don’t, I couldn’t care less. See how I’m not people pleasing? But no matter what you do, make sure you create a year that is meaningful to you. Maybe take inspiration from this article and create your own Ins and Outs list! Or just listen to mine, you know I’m right.
