Welcome to the new year, everyone! Let’s not waste anytime. Here are the ins and outs of 2026, starting with what’s “in”.
Making social media casual
If you grew up with social media, specifically Instagram, you should remember how casual it was. As a 13-year-old, I would post when I was getting up early to get Dunkin with my sister, when I was wearing an outfit that I thought was the best thing ever, even just a normal selfie with the caption stating my field day team won (#go red team forever). Now, people, including myself, take so much time to scope out the perfect post, but I think we stress over it for no reason! Can we please make Instagram casual again?
Complimenting strangers
Plain and simple. If you see something you like about a stranger, tell them! It might be the only good thing they hear that day.
Playing games at bars
Whether it’s giving everyone a secret mission to complete that night, making strangers play word games with you, or bringing a deck of cards. I think this would be so fun to do at the bar instead of standing around the whole time.
Natural hair
Let’s all stop trying to look like each other with perfect straight hair or slight beach waves. I think wearing hair naturally makes every single person look so much better. Don’t give in and go natural!!
Confrontation
As someone who wouldn’t be caught dead trying to confront someone about how I’m feeling, that’s so out. Confrontation is in! I don’t mean the big blowout fights, but if someone is making you feel a certain way, don’t shrink yourself down to keep your peace; speak your mind!
Not fitting into an aesthetic
You are the aesthetic! Whatever you do IS your aesthetic! If you don’t feel like the perfect “clean girl”, then don’t be! Don’t wear slickbacks with chunky gold hoops if that doesn’t feel like you. Make your own aesthetic.
Going out
Everyone go out! Have fun! As someone in their last semester here (crying), I realize how many times I chose a peaceful night in the warmth instead of a chaotic trip out with my friends. I’m not saying I regret it, but I will definitely make the most of my time here left, spending it out with my friends.
Now that we know what to do, let’s discuss what not to do. The following things are so out:
Being late
If you’re always late, you’re not being cute; you’re just rude. Not to be blunt, but why do you feel so comfortable wasting other people’s time? Cut it out!
Paying for parking
The dumbest idea ever. Why do we have to pay to park on a street that we drive on every single day? Wherever I’m going, chances are money will be spent. So why do cities add those few extra dollars on top just to prove they can make us do whatever they want? Super annoying, so that’s out.
Making sourdough
I feel like everyone tried it, and either you failed miserably, or it’s now your thing. If it’s your thing, good, keep it up! If you keep trying and failing, give it up and find a new hobby! Make a cake or something, I don’t know.
Overthinking
Whatever it is, it’s so not that big of a deal. Chances are, in a few years, you’ll be the only one who remembers if something goes south. If it ends up working out, you just saved yourself from missing out on a chance for happiness! We are on a floating rock in the middle of nowhere. Stop overthinking and just do it!
Random mean comments
Just keep them to yourself. I’d like to think we all have times where we randomly think of mean comments towards people instead of sharing them, just keep your trap shut! Your opinion doesn’t have to be heard every single time. Let’s just be nice to everyone. You don’t know what they’re going through.
Skipping breakfast
As someone who looks forward to the next time I can eat breakfast, trust me, you’re missing out! Not to sound like your mom, but it actually is a great way to start the day. Food is fuel. So wake up, eat, and hit the ground running.
Filler words
Let’s just be confident in what we say! No more “like” or “um”. Unless, of course, a professor is asking you a question and you have no idea what the answer is.
So let’s leave the “outs”
in 2025, and collectively
