As we leave the year 2024 behind, we begin to look ahead at the possibilities that the new year brings. I’m not one for new year’s resolutions. It’s not the routine, but the idea of consistency that scares me. I’m truly jealous of the people that are able to get up at 6 a.m. and start the day running. If I wanted to, I could probably journal every morning and do pilates. But that would only last a short amount of time, and I would quickly slip back into old habits (sleeping in till ten minutes before I have to leave for school). I’d love to have that discipline, though. It would be cool to start the day actively, instead of just going with whatever is thrown at me. But honestly, does anyone really keep new year’s resolutions past February? If you do, tell me your secrets. While I am not a fan of resolutions, I like to have guidelines to hold myself and society to. So, all things considered, we offer Lila’s and Evie’s ins and outs for the 2025 year.
Ins
Secret Handshakes
Lila: Why did we leave this in third grade? I want to greet my people with a flare. People “dap up,” so why can’t we do a Parent Trap-style handshake. I’ve seen professional football players doing handshakes, so you can too. They are cool, I swear.
Evie: I agree. This is often seen as a childish act, but I think it needs to make a comeback in 2025. What happened to the creative, fun minds of our youth? I am disappointed in our society and social standards of today.
Everyone has access to change the song (aux)
Lila: One of my favorite things is music. So when I get in the car, and the aux goes to someone with literally no taste, I get a little peeved. We should just all share a music aux–that way we can all have a say in what is being played. Especially in big groups. I was at my friend Clay’s house two weekends ago, and he started playing music that was just awful. That is just not acceptable. Spotify has the feature, and we all need to use it (if you’re on Apple Music then we have other issues- I mean you, Evie).
Evie: First of all, I do not like listening to ads while I’m trying to listen to music. Also, Apple Music is cheaper than Spotify. I have nothing against Spotify, but I do use Apple Music a lot more. Now for the prompt, I do agree with Lila. I always get flamed by my family for not playing music that everyone likes, but when they play music, it’s always the same thing. When on aux, you need to play the classics that everyone knows. Not necessarily something that everyone likes, just music that you can sing along to and everyone knows the words to.
Lila: Just to put this out there, Evie’s version of a classic is “One Direction.” Personally, I agree, but there are some haters out there. I am really sick of people putting on the same four songs, though. Now about Apple Music being better. I personally do not like the way it is set up and find it confusing to navigate. And I will spend infinite money on Spotify because it is my number three app. I have no shame.
Evie: The way you just said “number three app” is kind of crazy. Also, the only reason you find Apple Music confusing to navigate is because you are not acquainted with the app. And even though “One Direction” is one of my go-tos, I would consider myself pretty pop-cultured. I know the classics.
Lila: It’s currently being beaten by Substack, which is where I get my articles and personal essays, and TikTok, which was supposed to be banned. Though it might get moved to number four for Block Blast. And I have been “acquainted” with your beloved Apple Music, I just don’t find it to be easy to use.
Evie: Okay. Sure.
Just hanging out with no direct plan
Evie: A lot of times when I try to hang out with friends, we always have to have a set plan. What happened to texting someone an hour before and asking them to hang out? I miss the days where we could just go over to a friend’s house and talk about whatever without feeling pressure to be actively doing something together.
Lila: I am sick of all the plans. Please just text me that you want to hang out. I am most likely free. We don’t need to go bowling every time.
Just Dance!
Lila: It’s truly very freeing to just dance, but in this instance we are referring to the app. I personally grew up doing Just Dance 24/7 because it’s like the best thing ever. The solution to all of my problems. No idea what to do at a sleepover? Just Dance. Want to move around but don’t want to be directly working out? Just Dance. If you’re competitive and want to absolutely destroy your friends in something? Just Dance. My point is that it is awesome in every conceivable way. So if you’re not actively Just Dancing at every moment, what are you even doing?
Evie: Just Dance gives life another meaning. It lifts your mood instantly. Lila has her regulars, including Rasputin. She practices daily and claims she can beat anyone on the dance floor. The monthly cost is worth it. Just Dance your heart out.
Lila: Daily is a bit of a stretch, but I do love Rasputin. History lesson and dancing–it’s a miracle of its own.
Gratitude
Lila: Why does “thank you” have a stigma around it? I hope to one day be a disgustingly earnest person. I want people to be sick of how grateful I am. The new year means looking forward to new opportunities and future improvements. But I think we should also keep in mind how much we already have to express gratitude for. Even if it’s something as mundane as getting a cup of coffee, say “thank you!” Simple acts of kindness could change someone’s day for the better. I am, personally, really grateful for my friends. They feel like a second family, and I would be totally lost without them. Going into 2025 I hope to make it more apparent how much they mean to me.
Evie: Thank you for the mention, Lila. I myself will also try to show more gratitude to my friends and family. Gratitude is a very important emotion to express. Like Lila said, I want to make people sick of how grateful I am. I want to be able to show someone how thankful I am that they are in my life. I want them to know that I couldn’t live without them. My friends and family mean so much to me, and I am the person I am today because of them. They have shaped my personality and taught me how to be kind and funny and caring. To everyone in my life who I value and appreciate: thank you for all that you have done. I am truly grateful and I love you more than you know.
Long walks
Lila: Put your phone down, roll up your sleeves, and get walking in the sunshine (unless you live somewhere freezing or don’t like the sunshine- then this one doesn’t apply to you). Walks offer a quality of life that is inimitable. I can physically feel my anxiety leave and my head clear.
Evie: Get outside. Touch some grass. Enjoy nature. Don’t be a couch potato.
PODCASTS
Lila: Evie and I have decided to attempt a podcast. It’s a work in progress.
Evie: I first found my love for podcasts this summer. I started listening to them in my free time instead of constantly listening to music. They were really interesting and I learned a lot of random facts that I otherwise wouldn’t have known. That was when I got the idea to start a podcast. However, I didn’t want to do one by myself, and if there was anyone I wanted to start a podcast with, it would be Lila. She is one of the most interesting people I know, and I am certain she knows something about everything. But like she said, it’s a work in progress.
Dancing in the kitchen
Evie: This is a must. If you have never tried it, you’re missing out. It will make you happier and more jubilant. Try it. You’ll see.
Lila: 100%. Sometimes I think I missed my calling as a professional dancer. But be warned: only do this when you are home alone or else your family will never let you forget it. My dad still does the cha cha-slide past me sometimes…
Outs
Being surprised when people show up on time
Lila: A controversial take I have is that it is so much cooler to be on time than late. There is no fashionably late–you made that up. It can be extremely disrespectful to the host who spent all that time just for people to not show up when asked (Unless of course it is a part of your culture to be late, then obviously be as late as you would like). When you’re early, you get to set the tone for the evening and get closer with the people there. Small conversations before the event are one of my favorite parts of the night. That being said, I do not condone showing up too early. Please do not show up 30 minutes before I asked you to.
Evie: What she said.
Embarrassment
Evie: I’m tired of worrying about if what I am saying is cringy or embarrassing. If you find it cringy or get second-hand embarrassment, then that sounds like a you problem. Stop making me self-conscious, and stop judging people. Embarrassment wouldn’t exist if people didn’t judge. Case closed.
Lila: Couldn’t have worded it better myself. Also, it’s good to keep in mind that you are the only one who remembers that moment from six years ago that haunts you. It’s time to let go.
Evie: Question: what was that moment from six years ago Lila?
Lila: Don’t bring it up, it’s far too shameful.
Not replying in group chats
Lila: I will not hesitate to kick you out of the group chat if you don’t respond. Be an active participant, not a spectator. It’s almost a ceremonial event when some people show up in the group chat.
Evie: I personally only say something when I have something to say or have an opinion on a topic that is being discussed. I do, however, reply pretty regularly during a normal week. If you don’t want to be in the group chat, just say so.
Only big groups hang out/plans being canceled because not everyone can make it
Lila: This is not to exclude people, but there have been too many instances where plans have been canceled because not everyone can make it. It goes like this: someone will introduce the plan, I will excitedly say “yes,” one person decides they don’t want to, the whole plan is canceled, I inevitably get sad. The same cycle keeps repeating. It’s alright to hang out just as two people.
Evie: Agreed. We’re all friends. It would be rude if a group hung out together without one person and they weren’t even invited, but if they can’t make it but others still want to hang out, then that should be fine. Not everything has to always be done in a big group.
Nonchalant
Lila: Be more “chalant.” Show you care. It’s not as cool as you think to be cold towards people trying to be nice.
Evie: Nonchalant is not cool. It is not fun to be around someone who pretends to not care about anything. Have more respect for yourself.
Brainrot directed at me (specifically sigma)
Evie: I was once shouted at by about 100 lower schoolers from another private school saying, “You’re not sigma!” The varsity girls basketball team was there for a tournament and the entire time we were there, we were being booed and yelled at by the lower schoolers. It was quite the experience. That is all I have to say.
Lila: Don’t let yourself be bullied by lower schoolers, that’s not sigma. Actually though I agree. It becomes increasingly annoying to have people say “skibidi toilet rizz master” a billion times a day. I’m losing my mind.
