2024 Ins and Outs

riley lynn lawson
Jan 4, 2024
10 min read

So its 2024, happy effing new year! I love the idea of a new year, starting fresh, and embracing new challenges. (although I completely understand that you can make them at any point in the year, I just love the clarity and the sense of community that surrounds everyone starting in the new year.)

During the last week of 2023, I took one final yoga class at Grace Yoga and Pilates on Highland with Kavitha (it was my first class with her, she's amazing) and she opened my mind to something I want to share with you. During the new year everyone focuses on what their leaving behind when taking on the new year, but instead we should be reframing our mind to taking what we learned in the year prior into the new year. After taking her class and hearing her perspective on this, I went home and decided to reflect on what I wanted to take into the new year with me. I've decided to share that list with you today (in the form of what will be IN and OUT). This is just my personal list, and I will share my reasoning why further down, but I would love to hear yours! I'll add a comment section below :)

IN:

state parks and exploring nature
digital camera flash pics
evening cleanup
scrolling on Pinterest
reading
embracing grandma-core
feeling put together
self care/lay down time
having a routine

OUT:

overconsumption
having a messy space
having notifications on
high screen times
drinking
athleisure for anything besides working out
being in a hurry
last-minute plans

I know a lot of these may come as a shock, especially if you've known me strictly through college. My reasoning behind most of these was that since my time in Hawaiʻi, I felt like I regained my sense of self, and my likes, interests and standards of all things. God truly showed me how good life is, but I realized part of the reason was because of the different choices I was making. I will never forget, during my last week, I met up with my friend Jessenia (who has been with me since the very beginning of my journey as a blogger), and after having such an amazing time meeting her, I got in my uber to go home where I met this amazing driver, Tony. (Which just so happens to be my dad's name). He shared with me that if he could go back and tell his 21 year-old-self something, it would be to stop focusing on all of the superficial things that you "should be doing" (i.e. partying, skipping class, etc.), and just live a clean, good life with a clear head, because you will be so much happier in the long run, and able to do it with people you love and who love you. He somehow knew exactly what I needed to hear and was able to share that with me in a 10 minute car ride. During that time I had been praying for clarity because as someone who is 21 and about to graduate, there is just so much "what if" that constantly runs through my mind, which i'm sure is relatable to everyone. But taking his words and Kavithas into consideration, I curated my list.

IN: State Parks and Enjoying Nature

My signature word, I would say, especially this past semester is frollick. (i spell it with a ck because I genuinely think it's more fitting, idc if its not right). I loved exploring all of Hawaiʻi's beauty, but there are so many unexplored and underappreciated areas in Louisiana, I am determined to go and spend more time in these places. (Maybe i'll make a list of top 10 places to frollick in Louisiana!)

OUT: Overconsumption

Overconsumption and overspending is a nationwide delima, especially in the time of influencers and TikTok and all of the things. The reason it is out for me specifically, is because I am trying to avidly save for when I move to New York City. (my dream location since I was 12) To be honest, I should have been saving for a long time now, but due to my poor financial choices the past 3 years, I still have some more to go. This year, I am trying my best, to only buy things I absolutely NEED, and when I do, buying it from sustainable brands.

IN: Digital Camera Flash Pics

This was part of my resolution in 2022 for 2023, which I would say I accomplished pretty well. I bought my digital Camera (Cannon SX740HS) for my YouTube career during covid. (i'll bring her back one day). I absolutely love the quality with flash on and it is just such a great way to make memories and meet new people on a night out. I adore taking pictures of my friends when they are just having fun. There is something a little more intentional behind digital cameras, and especially film cameras (don't get me started on my newfound love for film). This intentionality (is that a word?) behind the photos is what brings me so much joy. I can't wait to show them to my future children.

IN: Evening Cleanup

THIS!!! I am (was* ...manifesting) so so bad about having a constant depression room (was depressed) but I am determined this year to constantly have a fresh and tidy space to help keep my mind clear and at peace. I think a little evening clean up will help set the mood for my mornings that I struggle with so much.

OUT: Having a Messy Space

Like I was saying earlier, I had a bad habit of letting my depression room get out of hand. This year I am really aiming on consolidating my things, and getting rid of what I no longer need. I am really eager to get into a routine of deep cleaning my space which is something I also let slip for the longest (eww, gross. i know.) So yes, keeping Casa de Riley tidy and clean is one of my big priorities for the new year!

IN: Scrolling on Pinterest

This is really just to combat my TikTok Addiction. I have become such a bad passive scroller and it never truly inspires me the way pinterest used to. I used to make a seasonal trend board for outfit inspo of what I wanted to wear within each upcoming season. I definitely fell of on it but it is genuinely such a soothing pastime for me.

OUT: Having Notifications On

I am addicted to my phone. I will fully admit that (I denied it last week). But, i'm coming to terms with it! Eli Rallo, another one of my favorite influencers (I want to read her book so badly), mentioned that it is part of her resolution to have her phone on Do Not Disturb. I personally struggle with checking my phone constantly and not being able to put it down because I am constantly giving into every notification. I'm sick of it. Its preventing me from being productive and ultimately just becoming a waste of time and to be honest, nothing is that urgent. So I sent my phone to be on Do Not Disturb from 10-6 so I can be productive during the day, and i'll update with how that goes!

IN: Reading

Again, this was another resolution I started within the new year I believe two years ago? It truly has come more of a hobby of mine as time has passed. I have read I think 6 books within the past year? obviously not much to an avid reader but as someone who hardly touched a book for a good 3/4 years this is amazing progress for me. I truly have fallen back in love with it. I am currently reading "People We Meet on Vacation" by Emily Henry, as well as "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie. I love having two going at once because when I fall into a rut or a bit of a slow period with one, I can pick up the other. (In my brain this is only acceptable with a Fiction and Non-Fiction at the Same time, but I really love doing it this way) I feel like "People We Meet on Vacation" is very significant to me just because of the phase of life im in right now. It's not necessarily my favorite book that i've ever read, but it is fun. I find the main character, Poppy super relatable because of her free spirit, love for travel, as well as the fact that she is a blogger. "How to Win Friends and Influence People" was on my radar for a while, but when my final project for my HR class was a book report, I knew that was my sign to read it. (I have yet to finish though, things have really taken off in "The People We Meet on Vacation" and I haven't been able to put it down.

OUT: High Screen Time

This kind of goes along with not having my notifications on, there is just a general ick going on about being addicted to my phone and having a high screen time that I haven't really been into so i'm going to embrace other things that i've been loving instead, like reading, writing and going outside!

IN: Embracing Grandma Core

This is definitely something I picked up from my roommate in Hawaiʻi, Angela. She has such a familiar presence about her that reminds you of all of your favorite traits of your grandma (she's still a fun time though don't worry, she would agree she has grandma tendencies) . This includes but is not limited to: daily morning coffee at home, intense lay-down time, saying no to things that you don't feel like doing (ex. random grocery runs with friends), staying in a robe, matching pj sets, playing with and having a deep love for your cats (I brought home our cat from Hawaiʻi so idk how she's going to do this one when she gets back). Overall this will be me, embracing my most girly, and relaxed vibe.(changing my bedding to my floral sheets tonight to start lol.)

OUT: Drinking/Going Out

This has been something I have been considering for a year now. There is something I find so lovely, yet unfulfilling about drinking and going out all the time. Don't get me wrong, i've been there, done that, LOVED it, but there are also moments that truly, were not so worth it. Drinking feels like something that was so ingrained in my brain from an early age as someone being from Louisiana. There is such a party culture that is truly like no other and I love every second of it. That being said, I do feel as though its created some very unhealthy habits around the idea of what drinking and having a good time truly is, and when and how often it is okay to do so. I often wonder if I could go out and have a good time at a bar or a party without drinking and what that would look like. So, in 2024 i'm challenging myself to do just that, and seeing how it affects me.

IN: Feeling Put Together

I struggle with this so much at home! In Hawaiʻi, I got dressed in a cute outfit with perfume, jewelry, and a little bit of makeup every single day and even when I wasn't "dressed" I was still cute. Since being home I have definitely reverted to not giving a shit about what is on my body unless I have a reason to. I am a firm believer of "look good, feel good" and let me just say I have NOT been feeling good. (I've only been home for like a week), so I need to get back on it! There is just something so exciting about wearing what makes you happy and what makes you FEEL good. It allows you to radiate your best energy and opens you to receiving that positivity from other people around you.

OUT: Wearing Athleisure for Anything Other than Working Out

I think athleisure is great, don't come for me. However, I think it has created a sort of lax on societal norms. I've never been one for being like "oh well let's follow what society says" but I do believe it has had a greater effect than it leads on. I feel like as a collective, wearing athleisure has just created a lull in creativity and demonstrating individual interest. People are no longer wearing what they want because it speaks to them, but instead its because that's what everyone else is wearing. People would rather wear something because it's easy to throw on a matching set and look like you just came from a workout, but there is so much beauty behind discovering your personal style, and wearing what makes you happy. Sharing a little glimmer of your personality with the world through what you wear is such an indescribable feeling. There is truly nothing better than when you feel like your outfit is effing cool. I challenge everyone reading this to look at all the clothing in your closet and instead of reaching for a matching set, pull out something that truly sparks joy.

IN: Lay Down Time

Lily and Angela (my Hawai'i roommates) introduced me to this. It is so special. If you knew me before you knew that I would never spend a second chilling. ever. I was constantly working on something. Lily and Anglea have showed me the beauty of just relaxing in bed for an hour or two in the middle of the day, or in the evening, or whenever feels right. It is my goal in 2024 to incorporate that into my daily routine.

OUT: Being In a Hurry

Overall, rushing in general is so on brand for me. It does not make me feel good! Another thing I learned from my angel of a roommate Angela is the ease of being early to things. It's kind of nice to not have to sprint everywhere you go and to account for enough time in case other delays pop up! I am taking what I learned from her into this new year.

IN: Having a Routine

Going off of that, HAVING a set routine!! My next non-fiction book on my never-ending list is "Atomic-Habits" by James Clear. Shelby Sacco is one of my most adored influencers because she has such good energy to her, but also she has very informational Tik Toks about the habit loop and how setting good habits has changed her life for the better. I think my entire life i've just been scared of having my life on a continuous mundane loop. But since growing up, i've come to realize that life is messy and always chaotic, and people have these routines as a sense of control and clarity, which is something that I could really use.

OUT: Last Minute Plans

Last Minute Plans!! This one is such a bad habit of mine. I typically say yes to everything which is something I am trying to work on. This in particular never really ends up good for me. I am such a person who plans things, so when I accept last minute plans, it always throws me off. I am going to work on actively limiting my last minute plans to only doing them if I genuinely have nothing else I could be doing, because sometimes, it's just better to sit at home and do what you want!

These are my whys! I want to know y'alls thoughts, input, and advice on all of this. I would love to hear yours as well!

I hope all of you enjoy 2024 and all of the wonderful things it has to offer you. I wish you all the best of luck in completing your challenges and sticking to your resolutions!

XO,

Riley