It’s 2025, a year marked by uncertainty. Many people are worried about what this year will bring and how it will affect their futures. One thing remains in our control, however, and that’s deciding what we’re leaving in 2024 and what we want to make happen in 2025.
In: Delusional Positivity
It seems appropriate to start off the year with something positive. And I mean that exactly as it sounds. Let’s make 2025 the year of “delusional positivity.” Sometimes when everything seems bleak, the only thing to do is to have blind hope. None of us can see into the future, so why not keep hope alive and have certainty things will work out.
Out: Giving into climate doom
Being positive doesn’t mean that we should forget about the current problems in our society. Most people can agree that climate change is one of the biggest elephants in the room. We’re all scared by it, but also feel like there’s nothing we can do to stop it. We need to leave that attitude behind in 2024. Any small change can make huge differences, so let’s make 2025 the year of changing our habits bit by bit, whether it’s reducing our meat intake or choosing to walk instead of drive.
In: Secondhand Shopping
Reducing meat intake isn’t the only thing we can do to help the planet. One of the biggest changes we can make is to stop promoting fast fashion brands like Zara and H&M, both brands notorious for their destructive climate practices. Instead, try using apps like Depop where you can buy name brand clothes secondhand and at much cheaper prices.
Out: Microtrends
Please. Please please please, for the sake of everyone to ever roam the earth, can we please stop making every. single. thing a trend. No one needs to be changing their wardrobe to fit the fisher girl-salty granola-pistachio green-summer aesthetic that will go away in approximately three weeks. Let’s make 2025 the year of wearing whatever you want and not having to label it.
In: Picnics
Why have we as a society not embraced one of the greatest gifts the earth has to offer in such a year as 2025? Delicious food, cute pictures, an overall wholesome activity… need I say more?
Out: Movie tickets being expensive
I understand that inflation is real, but there is absolutely no need for a movie ticket to be $20. Let’s be sensible and just agree as a society to stop purchasing tickets until they are back at a reasonable price.
In: Local coffee shops
Sorry Starbucks, your drinks just aren’t hitting the same anymore. Either lower your prices or this is the year of trying the local (and much cuter) coffee shops in our area.
Out: Content Creators/Influencers
I know these people are interesting to watch and help distract us from real-world problems but PLEASE. There are so many other people we could be supporting instead. People that are doing good work for our planet instead of promoting overconsumption and eating disorders disguised as healthy new diets.
In: Having (respectful) debates (link: https://yorktownsentry.com/15365/opinion/navigating-civil-discourse-in-current-times/ )
Some may argue that our country is divided enough already and there’s no need for debates. It’s actually the other way around. Now is the most important time to be engaging in these discussions so we can find common ground. Let’s bring back being educated and having open discussions on controversial topics (as well as calling people out for spreading misinformation).
Out: Not Watching Wallace and Gromit
This year can be scary to think about, so I think we need to start embracing shows/movies that bring us joy. No other show can do this quite like Wallace and Gromit, and if you don’t know who they are, make that your resolution right now. There is no time to waste. Run, don’t walk.
In: Umbrellas
To whomever made using umbrellas embarrassing for students, I hope you rethink your life choices. I’m sick of walking into school with dripping wet hair for the sake of seeming “cool.” This year, I’m staying under an umbrella any time there’s even a drop of moisture in the air, and I’ll hear nothing more about it.
No matter what you choose to keep or leave behind, 2025 is sure to be a year to remember.
