By: Sam Gruetter

Sports Editor

A recent trend has emerged on the social media platform TikTok, where people share their “ins and outs” of 2024. “Ins” are habits, articles of clothing, and other things that people think everyone should adopt in the new year, while “outs” are things people wish to leave behind in 2023. Inspired by this trend, I decided to compile a list of my ins and outs of 2024. 

In: Making your bed: While many think breakfast or drinking water is the best way to jumpstart one’s day, I think that making your bed works just as well. Not only does it provide you with a sense of accomplishment to start the day but it also has many scientifically proven mental health benefits that set you and your day up for success. 

Out: Vague goals: A common tradition for the new year is to set new year’s resolutions. However, vague goals without numerical values or timelines, such as “drink more water,” cannot be attained because there is no way to measure their completion, rendering setting the goal pointless. In 2024, setting vague goals is out, and setting goals with a completion date, plan, and specific steps is in. 

In: VSCO: The most problematic and addicting part of many social media platforms is that viewer engagement is measured through likes, views, and comments. However, VSCO —a social media platform with a similar format to Instagram —doesn’t have numerical values linked to  likes, comments, or followers. Instead, the platform allows users to share other people’s media without the burden and excessiveness of quantifying likes and comments. 

Out: Impulse buying: While it may seem tempting to impulsively purchase a fun new item, we should leave impulse buying in 2023. Impulse buying is a luxury for those who can afford not to budget and often results in a poor  purchase. 

In: Digital and film cameras: An easy way to capture a wholesome or picturesque moment without all of the distractions and complications of a cell phone is by using a digital or film camera. Taking pictures with a camera adds personality to the photo. And the anticipation of getting the photos developed adds to the excitement of capturing a special moment that the efficiency of an iPhone does not allow. 

Out: Microtrends: We are all familiar with the patchwork jeans and bright checkered designs that littered social media in 2020. These highly popular fads are the epitome of microtrends, which not only promote over-consumerism, but also encourage people to indulge in fast fashion where they purchase cheap, unethically made clothing online from sellers such as Shein, Amazon, and Romwe. 

In: Reading/journaling: While this “in” may seem like a generic change to be made in 2024, its obviousness does not detract from its importance. Not only can reading be an effective alternative to screen time, but it also helps one get acquainted with classics and emerging works alike, overall contributing to one’s eloquence.