In & Out: What I'm Bringing into 2024 and Leaving Behind in 2023
- Molly Brooks
- Jan 9, 2024
- 5 min read
You might have seen the in and out trend on TikTok where the girlies share which habits, trends and attitudes are à la mode for 2024 and which are so last year. I like it because it's unserious and not as pressured as your classic New Year's Resolutions and not as pretentious as claiming you don't believe in them (please note that it's unlike me to condemn anything pretentious). If you want to hear/watch me chat through mine, you can watch part 1 on my TikTok here.
In
Bows
I mean, obviously. Bows have taken the world by storm (a very coquette storm) and I don't plan on allowing them to go anywhere. As a girly girl, this is one of my all-time favourite trends. They've been around forever but only recently have we collectively decided that they belong absolutely everywhere.
Being Obnoxious
I'm declaring humility out and tasteful obnoxiousness in. I encourage you to replace self-doubt with a superiority complex, modesty with the conviction that everyone fancies you, and apprehension with unhinged levels of confidence.
Unashamed Fangirling
Whether it's Taylor Swift or the The Hunger Games franchise, that part is up to you. Whatever you're passionate about - no matter what it is, I don't want anyone to let you feel silly for being obsessed with something.
Cute Creative Activities
Pottery, candle painting, knitting, making accessories, baking, DIY projects, painting, making up your own cocktail recipes, putting together vision boards - wholesome and creative activities with my friends or even just by myself have contributed to some of my favourite evenings of 2024 and I endeavour to do many more of them next year.
My bestie Imi got me this air dry clay kit last year and we had so much fun making and painting little pots together - I can't recommend it enough. They have some different colourways but of course, we did the pastel one.
Reading Before Bed
There was a period this year where I got into a really good habit of reading before bed and I loved it - it's so much better for your sleep and mental health etc. than scrolling plus I just absolutely loved the books I was reading. I bought a Kindle which took things to the next level and it became my new best friend. For some reason, the last few times I've finished a book I've taken a break while deciding what to read next, replacing my wholesome hobby with scrolling once again. This year, I want to get back into reading consistently without reverting back to my old bad habits in between.
I'll list and link some books I've read recently(ish) and loved here:
Using Luxury Things Just Because
Whenever I have something special like a nice candle, expensive under-eye masks, precious jewellery or a luxurious body lotion, I always try to save them for a suitably special occasion which rarely comes around. But candles are meant to be lit not sit around collecting dust. Treating yourself to luxuries on a mundane Tuesday can make that Tuesday into a special day so use that hand cream, wear that necklace and romanticise your life.
Snogging
Snogging is a lost art form. It's a means to an end nowadays - if you're single it's the step before taking someone home and if you're in a relationship it's what comes before sex. I want us to be snogging for the sake of snogging in 2024. Especially if you're in a relationship - the next time you're on the way home from date night I want you to pull your person to the side and snog in the street like you're 16 and you can't bring them home because your parents don't know you're with them. How fun?!
Hosting
The concept of hosting became a big trend in 2023 which I love since I've loved hosting for years! However, apart from one or two double dinner dates at mine, I've hosted NYE, thrown Birthday parties and marked milestones - all special occasions. This year, I want to host just because - a brunch here, drinks and canapés there. Getting your friends or a group of people you love together for no particular reason can make it even more special.
Out
Slow Walkers
Not that meandering along and getting in my way was ever in style, but if you're a slow walker I want you to sit in the corner and think about what you've done because you shouldn't be allowed to leave the house. The number of times I have to stop myself from bellowing "out of my way!" like a villainous teacher in a coming-of-age movie or a mean girl in a chick flick is beginning to take a toll on me.
Asking People "How's Work?"
I'm at the pub, I don't want to talk about work and I doubt you do either. Why would anyone want to rehash their overflowing email inboxes, the incompetent people they dealt with that day or that project that's overdue? I think about the fact that I'm stressed about securing collaborations, I'm losing followers faster than I'm gaining them and I don't have any content to post all day so why would I want to discuss it in a social setting?
Full Glam for Literally Just Errands
I mindlessly do the same makeup every time, so when I'm leaving the house I end up putting on a full face whether I'm going out to dinner or returning parcels at the post office round the corner before picking up some oat milk and going back home. It has to stop - it's a waste of makeup and then I have to endure the task of taking it all off when there was absolutely no need for contour and a sparkly lid in the first place.
Scrolling Before Bed
You can get this advice anywhere, but I'm just saying I need to start taking it. I get into a rabbit hole watching a movie broken down into 30 parts on some random account or getting invested in someone's DIY garden renovation until 2 am and I end up taking ages to fall asleep and then sleeping terribly anyway. Whether you decide to read before bed like I'm going to, or you find another way to occupy your mind like meditation, this is a habit that we all need to stop.
Spending All Available Money and Never Saving
Whenever I have money in my account I see it as spendable. As soon as I get paid, I go on a shopping spree, order countless Deliveroos or just spend frivolously. This year, I want to be a tiny bit more responsible and actually save some money like a real adult - I think I'm going to try out the 40-30-20-10 method where 40% of income goes to rent, bills and other essentials, 30% goes into savings and is not to be touched, 20% goes towards saving for trips and 10% is for spending.
Women Seeing Other Women as Competition
In case you haven't heard the phrase before: her success is not my failure. If your friend, colleague or acquaintance makes more money than you, had their video go viral, is in the perfect relationship, planned a trip to that destination you've been dreaming of or got engaged first - those things don't take away from your own current or future success and happiness. I really believe that you should feel other women's wins like they're your own. Celebrate them and know that your time will come. Women need to be unified, we're the most powerful when we're on the same team - should I do a whole blog post on this?
So those were just a couple of my ins and outs for 2024 - you can find the full list on my TikTok here.
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