In the final days of 2023, social media was overrun with tongue-in-cheek predictions for the year ahead from regular people moonlighting as professional prognosticators.
Extra-large bags, silver jewelry and gardening are in. Quiet luxury, podcasts and late bedtimes are out. That’s at least according to Instagram and TikTok, where lists confidently declaring which trends will thrive and which will die in the new year abounded as the clock struck midnight on Sunday.
The dead week between Christmas and the new year has always been conducive to introspection, the hours usually spent working or socializing suddenly freed up for stewing in regret, rethinking bad habits or planning a comeback. But instead of making traditional New Year’s resolutions, many TikTok and Instagram users have started publishing “In and Out” lists that mix predictions of what will and won’t be considered cool in the coming year with aspirations for their 2024 selves.
“I feel like New Year’s resolutions are very personal, and an In-and-Out list is a more niche, general statement,” said Lukas Battle, a stand-up comedian and TikTok personality. “It’s also a way to make fun of last year’s self and set a goal. For example: OUT: being in a toxic relationship, IN: hanging out with friends and going to dinner.”
