2025 ins and outs

hello.

yes, another one of these.

happy new year to you. i’m sharing my obligatory 2025 ins and outs to welcome this year’s first letter.

i do want to emphasize one item on this list i’ve provided for you and that is: career changing and/or going back to school. i truly hope that whatever it is you’re currently doing is bringing you joy and fulfillment. if not, make a change. you already know this, but life is too goddamn short to settle into a career or relationship that is causing you misery. your time is precious and making an investment to shift or change paths accordingly will be worth it in the end. i promise you that. sit down with yourself and think about what it is you want. and whatever it is you’re passionate about, make sure you’re choosing a path that is giving back to you- a reciprocal endeavor. the ultimate destination should be at the intersection where your passion, the way your passion can give back to you, and how your passion can help the world around you join together in a collaborative effort.

take these last few days of winter break to reflect on your life and make plans accordingly.

anyways, enjoy my somewhat satirical list…

2025 ins

-the poetic mundanity of cutting up fresh fruit

-bossa nova jazz: if you’re looking for jazz to put you in a good mood, this is the genre for you.

-clarice lispector: you can listen to me yap about it here.

-crushes irl: your local barista who knows your coffee order by heart, your physics professor, your cute neighbor, etc, etc, etc.

-playing chess: if you don’t know how to play, learn. i’ve established a habit of playing at least one game a day while on the elliptical and it makes my brain feel less rotted.

-print magazines: my favorite print magazine is the girlfriend edition of popeye. i also enjoy the atlantic, the new yorker, the paris review, the new york review of books, yale review, cake zine, etc.

-career changes: as i mentioned at the beginning of this newsletter, i urge you to take some time to reflect on your current career, your current relationships, etc. if you’re unhappy, or if there’s another dream you have that you can’t stop thinking about, go pursue it. figure out how to make it happen.

-hand written grocery store lists: i love making these.

-“i peeled you an orange”, “i cut up fresh strawberries for you”, and “here, have some fresh peaches” as a love language

-ghibli films for comfort: my favorite ghibli films during this time of year are spirited away (a warm escape into a bath house that is strangely comforting) and my neighbor totoro (while i dream of spring). also adding whisper of the heart.

-reading: more importantly, reading with intention and not being worried about hitting a certain number for books you want to read this year. donna tartt once said, it’s better to know one book intimately than a dozen superficially.

-prioritizing art in the home: i’m new to this world but i’ve noticed a big difference in the overall mood and vibe of my home as i’ve curated different art prints to hang up around the house. more of this please.

-frugal living: you can read all about this here.

-jazz music: a timeless musical experience that will transport you to a tender, more comforted state of mind. here’s another playlist i love.

-philosophy: don’t let this subject intimidate you. the whole point of philosophy is to not have the answers. it challenges you to think about your views, morals, values, etc. let it scratch the curious itch in your brain.

-video essays: i’ve really fallen in love with youtube recently and i’ve noticed a positive shift in my mental health post consumption when i watch youtube vs tiktoks.

-dnfing books: life is too short to waste precious time on books you don’t connect with.

-ichiko aoba: are you dreaming of spring, too?

-celebrating all of the holidays and season through traditions and under consumption: there are ways to celebrate holidays and live seasonally that don’t feel dominated by commercialism and over consumption.

-gate keeping: can we bring this back? i love sharing my world with you, but sometimes, there are things in our lives that we should keep to ourselves. leave a bit of mystery for the world around you.

-eating seasonally: let trips to the farmers market decide what you’re going to make for dinner.

-parenting yourself: you understand this, right? be your own mother. take care of yourself. if you were your own child, how would you treat yourself?

-cooking at home: there is nothing more comforting than cooking a home cooked meal. put on a jazzy playlist or watch your favorite show, plan your meal ahead of time so you have something to look forward to. i recommend nyt cooking for recipe ideas.

-going back to school later in life: this goes back to career changing. you’re never too old to go back to school to pursue something you love.

-non fiction divorced from self help and celebrity/influencer memoirs: self help books will ruin your life.

-monogamy: okay.

-ratatouille: the best pixar movie ever.

-reading through the comments on recipes from nyt cooking for entertainment: this is niche.

-pen to paper journaling (daily): this is annoying, but i swear to you it helps.

-eating alone in public: i love eating alone. why not make solo dinner reservations on a random tuesday? take yourself out, bring a book, order good food, drink wine, people watch.

-long form content: i’m pretty sure i’m starting a youtube this year.

-substack as your only form of social media: substack and youtube.

-vegetables: eat more vegetables.

-good manners: this is timeless.

-tea fragrances: i’m craving more of this. woody, second skin, light, fresh. lately i’ve been feeling very gourmand averse because it’s too overpowering and heavy.

-eating slowly: this is underrated?

-youtube for comfort: see above*

2025 outs

-over consumption: you can read all about this here.

-influencers: i’m curious to see the shift of brands moving away from the use of influencers for marketing tactics. brands don’t understand that the audience is way too smart to be persuaded by influencers anymore. we’re not in a pandemic anymore and those of us who have previously fallen into the trap of being guilt tripped into buying something we don’t need are very much over it.

-small talk: my neurodivergence can’t handle it anymore. the corporate speak, the casual dinners with people who you know but aren’t your friends yet, the catching up with distant relatives, etc.

-parasocial crushes: we need crushes irl.

-old money and quiet luxury: bye.

-carry bradshaw: over it.

-corporate jobs: being a corporate slave means you’re easily replaceable and disposable, stripping you away from the once promised financial security blanket. find a job that doesn’t feel as volatile.

-bad posture: my past ballerina self is kicking me in the shins for this one.

-unrequited love in platonic and romantic relationships: stop wasting your time and energy and effort into relationships that are not reciprocating the love you deserve.

-over sharing: there’s nuance to this.

-boo baskets, mom bloggers exploiting their children for money, over consumptive holiday spending: oh my god where do i even begin with this one…

-celebrity memoirs and self help books (except ina): self help books are the worst form of literature imaginable.

-pseudo intellectuals on podcasts and tiktok: also most men on podcasts.

-instagram and tiktok and x: tiktok can be okay sometimes. will she still be around in 2025? who knows.

okay, that’s all i have for you today.

if you’re not ready to become a paid subscriber and you have the capacity to leave a tip, that would be so appreciated.

i love you.

bye.

(follow ig, tiktok, pinterest and spotify for more)

2025 mood