ins and outs of 2025
Written by Jamilla Philson
Image courtesy of The Holiday (2006), Universal Pictures, Columbia
Traditionally, I am a New Year’s resolution kinda gal. I understand how cringy it can be, but setting a list of clear goals + resolutions is a special kind of manifesting for me. It’s not necessarily “new year, new me” but “new year, better version of me.” It is time to leave all of the icky stuff behind and start off on a new foot. With the year coming to an end I thought it was only appropriate to give my ins and outs for 2025, which include my own personal resolutions as well as those I have discussed with my friends.
INs
Image courtesy of Jesycu
journaling for every occasion (diary, dream, planner, etc)
unplanned friend hangs
local / small neighborhood grocery stores / farmers markets
a perfume for every season
eyebrow piercings
Moka pots
physical media
chunky stripes
brothy soups
YouTube + Substack + long form content
personal style (no aesthetic cores)
DIY-ing
Miley Cyrus (and her own Eras tour?)
Not feeling guilt tripped for getting a sweet treat or coffee everyday
shirley temples
class consciousness
Doechii
These are equally pretty self-explanatory and silly. A major theme in my 2025 ins and outs list revolves around de-centering the“ norm” and investing in individuality, our own desires, and creativity. I have recently gotten back into journaling after taking too long of a break (2 years eek!) and it has honestly been the most grounding thing I have done for my mental health. I look forward to expanding my journaling and have multiple journals for all of my needs: a dream journal, a planner, a daily diary used for rants, and a spending/content journal. I know it sounds like a lot, but 2024 was my year of reflection. I want to take 2025 to document my life in a physical way that I can reflect on years from now. Unplanned friend hangs need to make a comeback as well. Especially for those of us who are post-grad, hangouts are no longer spontaneous and chill; they are planned around our jobs and life. Which is so dark! Connectivity and investing in the people who I care about are a big resolution for me, as I feel like we are growing further apart from one another everyday. With our need and desire for connection, I truly believe that people do not want influencers anymore, they want friends. Hence, the rise of long form content and the death of the modern influencer. 2025 is the year of“ de-influencing” for me. Two words: Moka pot. The biggest“ de-influencing” this year has been making an espresso with a Moka pot. Going to school in Miami, I’ve used them a lot, but this year has really taught me you don’t need an expensive new machine to get a great espresso shot. You don’t need a hundred dollar clothing piece when you can easily DIY just the same (and learn a new hobby at that).
OUTs
Image courtesy of Matthew Chattle/Cover Images/AP
decentering corporations in our lives
valuing convenience over quality and morality
Instagram
expensive espresso machines
comparison
male podcasts
look alike contests (they’ve gone too far)
delusion (we need something more intense)
labeling / category check boxes
polyester
asking for someone’s handle after first meeting them
male depictions of female/POC characters
traditional influencers
beauty, cosmetics, and surgeries promoting anti-aging benefits
As far as“ outs”, we need to stop valuing convenience over everything else, because it’s just not working out for us. We expect everything on demand, but we need to learn how to live slower. Speaking of living slower, I think Instagram will be a goner. Once my pride and joy, then the bain of my existence, and now: something I don’t even care about or prioritize, the foundation of Instagram as a whole is just not it for 2025. We deserve better. Instagram gave me heaps of anxiety, especially when it came to comparing myself to peers and their own successes. I now understand the phrase“ comparison is the thief of joy” entirely. The only time comparison was beneficial in 2024 was during the numerous look alike contests. But the moment has died. Especially when those showing up looked nothing like who they were portraying. It was fun, but has become very of its time. Lastly, something I think we need to leave in this year is the plethora of products aimed at women because of its anti-aging benefits. I’m exhausted at corporations trying to create problems that do not exist and making us feel bad about aging; it’s a gift to do so. Ultimately, I am hopeful for this new year, even as things may start to desolate in our society. I am hopeful for myself, the creative beautiful groups of people I continue to surround myself with and the art I continue to make.
