Happy 2026! This is a bit late, as we are over a month into the new year, I am aware, but I thought I could share some of my favorite ins and outs for this year.
Before we get into this, what are ins and outs? Well, simply put, they’re a collection of things (literally anything) that are coming in for the new year, and staying behind in the previous year.
So, here are my 2026 Ins and Outs.
Ins:
- Physical media – I know you’ve seen it on TikTok; picking up iPods, CDs, vinyls. It’s highly rewarding to go on a hunt for the things you want instead of having them at the click of a button. Go dust off that DVD player.
- Hobbies – This might sound basic, but I think in the past couple of years, we, as a generation, have lost the art of having hobbies. Our lives can easily slip into the monotony of school, work, sports, homework, hanging out, and scrolling. Remember how much you liked to draw when you were ten? How much you enjoyed scrapbooking? This year, bring back some of those little hobbies into your routine.
- Personal style – Enough “clean girl aesthetic” or “old money core” or “messy girl chic”. Please, I urge you, develop your own sense of style. Because as people, we are not just a Pinterest board.
- Spontaneous plans – I, for one, love the feeling of texting a friend if they want to hang out twenty minutes before we plan to hang out. Or better yet, showing up to their house unannounced. Add some whimsy into your life. (Note: This works better if you decide to do this as a friend group).
- Diverse taste – Similarly to personal style, you are not a set genre of movie, music, or general consumer. Just because you claim to like indie music, you don’t have to abstain yourself from the joyous melodies of Sabrina Carpenter.
Outs:
- Chat GPT for unnecessary things – Listen, I don’t like Chat GPT. Have I been immune to the temptation? No, but I have the sense to feel guilty the entire time while using it. I understand that Chat can play a crucial role in our school work, but maybe, let’s not consult Chat when we’re texting our friends, okay?
- Being boring – This is going to sound harsh, and just know that I mean it with the utmost love in respect; some of you guys are very boring. Take a couple risks in a conversation, do more things, meet more people,
- Doom scrolling – Again, I am not immune to the devilish desire to doom scroll. And I know it’s hard. But let’s put the phone down, collectively. Do something that’s not looking at a screen (or at least the tiny one in your pocket). Touch grass, per se.
- Obsessive perfectionism – The urge to compulsively fix the most minuscule details can be strong. But sometimes, the bare minimum is okay. As high schoolers, we have so much happening in our lives at all times. So sometimes, the bare minimum is all we can give, and it is alright to just have it done.
- Fear of being cringe – Free yourself from the shackles of “cringe”. Do what you want, like what you like, and do it unapologetically.
The overall consensus of 2026: Live a life that is authentic to who you are. Stop trying to mold yourself into one particular person, and generally, be a bit more carefree.
