Ins and Outs for 2024
I don’t love the New Year. As each year passes, I feel the need to continue bettering myself and each December I find myself feeling like a failure after leaving my lofty goals incomplete. Most of the time, I find my inspiration externally, from television and social media. After seeing what models and TV characters are up to, I suddenly have a mental list of habits and traits I must acquire before December 31. I’ve realized recently that it is just as important to move away from outdated habits as it is to adopt a few new ones. So, before you commit to insane workout programs or attempt to model your life after Instagram’s next “It Girl”, check out these Ins and Outs for 2024.
In: Taking Nothing Personally
As a sensitive person myself, this was a tough pill to swallow. I have no shame in admitting that I often take things very personally. In the new year, though, it is a trait I’d like to leave in the past. Junior year has taught me that seventeen-year-olds can be a lot more brutal than I would have expected. However, I also noticed that when I was on the receiving end of poor treatment from friends, the only person who was affected was me. By feeding into it and jumping to conclusions, I only made myself more upset. Now, my advice would be to brush things off as often as possible. If a friend is being distant or peers are being more harsh than normal, do not take it personally. It is only a reflection of them, and by ignoring the drama, your mind will be at peace. Peaceful mind, peaceful life.
Out: Finding Everything Embarrassing
If I had written this entry last December 2022 Mary Mobley would already be red in the face thinking about how “cringe” this post is. Now I say: who cares? If we continue to live our lives afraid of what other teenagers will think of us we are never going to grow. Don’t be afraid to answer questions in class. Compliment strangers. Share your opinions. Focus on how your actions affect you as an individual rather than how those actions will be perceived by those around you. The people who matter in your life will be offering support rather than laughing at you. (An added benefit to this tip is the embarrassing stories you’ll be able to tell in your adult life.)
In: Saying “Yes” to Social Opportunities
It can be easy to say no to certain hangouts, especially if those present are complete strangers. However, meeting new people is a constant pattern in life, and it does not get any easier as we age. Being present in new social situations is only going to increase comfort around other people, and hey, if everything goes according to plan, you may even make a few friends. Even the more introverted types (me, for example) can gain a lot from this. Becoming comfortable around strangers now only helps us be ready for bigger experiences like college and the professional world.
Out: Excessive Screen Time
As a teenager with an excessive screen time problem, I feel like the perfect candidate to speak on this topic. Of course, I know I cannot speak for all seventeen-year-olds. I do know that in my case, anything above six or seven hours of screen time makes my brain feel like it is rotting. I would point any fellow screen addict in the direction of my fool-proof, two-step brain rot cure. First, instead of watching content, try listening to music or podcasts while on a walk outside. Take in the nature and pay attention to how you feel after being outside. Next, after remembering that the last time you read a book was for summer reading assignments, try to put your literary cap on. I’m not asking you to crack open A Tale of Two Cities or anything. Just try to find a book that you enjoy and can read quickly. I promise that these two steps will have your brain back to normal in no time, and the TikTok binge can resume. Life is no fun without balance, right?
In: Saving And Investing Money
I know that this is much easier said than done. To be authentic while writing this section, I actually had to delete my Brandy Melville cart and save those basic tanks and tees for later. Seriously, saving money is so important. Maybe I sound old, but I never want to worry about how much spending money I have left or how I’ll be paying for dinner out with friends. It doesn’t have to be drastic. If you have a job, commit to putting half of one paycheck in your savings each month. It may not seem like much, but funds add up quickly and before you know it, you’ll have enough saved up for that one big-ticket item you’ve been wanting. Saving also makes you feel accomplished and teaches you a lot of financial lessons. In hopes of not continuing to sound like a 50-year-old financial planner, I’ll just say that it’s never too early to start putting money into the bank.
As you may have noticed, all of these “hot takes” apply to me, but each can be generalized to anyone. If these don’t fit for you, come up with your own, and I’d love to hear what you’re taking into the new year. Happy (almost) 2024!