My In's & Out's of 2024

Hi y’all –

Happy New Year everyone!

I hope everyone had an amazing holiday season, and I really am so excited for what is to come with A Graceful Space this year. 

Each year, like most of society, I try to really “take inventory” and reflect on the year prior, noticing events that brought me joy, new people that came into my life, maybe note some mistakes I made, and likewise, some areas that I could improve on or make goals for the new year. 

Last year, I wrote an article, “Dear 2023” which really speaks to how when a new year comes around, as a culture, we can all get so caught up in these resolutions of losing weight, eating healthier, saving money, getting organized, learning a new hobby, or some other type of personal/relational improvements that we can often lose sight of what truly is important: maintaining healthy habits. 

In this article, I exposed what I do not like about resolutions, as they are stringent upon "to do or not to do" and therefore why I think 80% of people abandon their goals before February (Forbes). 

While I do not want to completely rehash last year's article, please check out the blog post on my website here: https://www.agracefulspace.online/post/dear-2023 as well as the companion Forbes article I used in dialogue with it—in hopes for intentional goal setting this year: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleystahl/2021/12/09/this-new-years-set-goals-not-resolutions/?sh=5c60de311ece

Now, for THIS article (haha) I chose to write a fun approach—a vision board if you will—for what I see/want in my life this year and what you, my readers, may choose to adopt on your own for 2024. 

If you have been keeping up with the trends of TikTok, many other users have been creating their own “Ins & Outs Lists” for their own 2024. 

Because of this, here are my own Trends of 2024 based on my speculation/preferences of what’s “in and out” and what I want to see in my life this year:

WHAT’S IN:

1.Being Inclusive 

Human connection is how we are wired. This year, I want to be mindful of how I can be inclusive of others. 

2. Kindness

Kindness can be seen through a smile, holding the door for someone, giving a compliment, or buying someone a coffee. In 2024, I want to see what acts of kindness I can give to the people around me. 

3.Setting Healthy Boundaries 

Setting healthy boundaries for myself and for those in my life is something I had to learn the hard way last year; however, I want to continue this effort in 2024, navigating how I can set firmer, more healthy boundaries. 

4.Examining Your Inner Circle 

Being intentional about who is in my social circles the past couple years has been something I have been especially particular about; the people you have in your life naturally have influences on yourself. Because of this, I want to continue being mindful of my inner circle in 2024, knowing that I’d rather have friends that I truly admire and can count on rather than the opposite.

5.Loving Fully 

This last year, I have had the privilege to be in a romantic relationship with my partner, Mason Morland. In years past, I have had a tricky relationship where I didn’t know if I could or was willing to open myself back up to love; however, Mason has softened my heart in ways I never knew was possible. In 2024, I want to love him as well as my other loved ones fully. 

6.Mental Health Awareness 

The past few years, I have had a growing awareness of my own mental health journey with my Anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Due to this, I want to remain steadfast in my journey with therapy and encourage others to explore their own mental health through awareness and acceptance. Let’s battle the stigmatization together in 2024. 

7.Identity Acceptance & Embracement 

I am turning 22 in a few days and being in college has been an era of discovering who I am. This may be the same for you too, readers. In 2024, let’s embrace continuing to grow, learn, and embrace more of who we are and who we are going to be as individuals in this life. 

8.Self-Care

As a person that is constantly on the go, self-care can often be the last thing on my mind. However, just as we have to plug in our phones or other devices periodically throughout the day, we have to be intentional about doing the same for ourselves. If we don’t care for us better than our technology in 2024, it’s going to be a problem. 

9.Professional Leadership & Development 

I have 4 jobs as a student-worker and while I am constantly running to and from those different jobs, I want to be continually mindful of ways I can grow as a leader and professional develop as I near my undergraduate graduation next year. 

10.Gratitude 

When all else seems to fail in life, gratitude always seems to pick me up when I need it most. Implementing daily gratitude is so important for our lives that are sometimes filled with more hurt than seasons for joy. However, walking outside and noticing the leaves, listening to the birds, people watching the children or that older couple holding hands helps you put into perspective what you can be grateful for in your life if you choose.

11.Reading

On the famous Black Friday sale, I not only bought all of my Christmas presents, but I also bought books for myself that I want to read in 2024. Reading is one of my favorite things, yet caught up with school, work, and just life, I often can never make time to. Here’s to reading more in 2024. 

12.Early Morning Routines & Restful nights

Early morning routines have always been a part of my schedule, partly because they have to be to fit everything in for my day, but also because I like them. I would encourage you readers, if you want, to try some morning routines for a little while in 2024 and see how your production level increases. Furthermore, try going to sleep earlier, and getting 8+ hours of sleep—trust me—your body needs it to function! Thank me later ;)

13.Long term Thinking > Short Term Thinking 

As a planner, overthinking comes naturally to me. However, some people genuinely struggle with thinking beyond the day of or next day. I would encourage you readers to see how 2024 could benefit from a plan or two. However, there are always caveats. I, myself, am going to have to not rely on my plans as much. 

14.Choosing Joy Over Stress

Oftentimes, stress can be inevitable: a deadline, family trouble, fiances, etc. However, in 2024, I want to be more mindful of choosing joy in areas where I am letting myself be stressed about things that I cannot control and are often miniscule things that are not worth worrying about.

15.Scheduling Periodic Health Check Ups

Your health should always be a priority. In 2024, please do yourself and your loved ones a favor by helping your body by doing your yearly, quarterly, mid-yearly, etc. with all the doctor check-ups. 

16.Listening to Your Body

On a similar note, listen to your body better in 2024. I am a person that works out, and this last year, I got better at listening to my body when I truly needed a rest day or I needed a break. Our bodies do so much for us, and being nice to yourself—even if it sounds silly—and listening to your body is sometimes necessary. 

17.Communication

I value communication so much. The way we interact with others on the phone or in person is crucial to how we function in day to day relationships, professionally or personally. In 2024, I want to continue monitoring the way I communicate as well as others to try to have better communication styles and therefore appease conflict easier. 

18.Being Excited for Others

What’s the definition of jealousy? Most of the time, people associate it negatively with envy or anger. However, the actual definition rests in feelings of insecurity or fear about possessions (having or not having something) that another does, physically or not. In a world that is constantly fueled by comparison and rejecting authenticity, in 2024, I want to bring back what it means to be excited for others—genuinely: not fakely doing so but truly meaning it. Why can’t we just be excited for someone else and be secure with ourselves? 

19.Making Jesus a Priority

Jesus is not just a number on this list; if he was, He’d be listed #1 because in my life, I want my faith to be marked a priority. It’s not just a checkbox for me to go to church. Instead, it is a daily decision to spend time in prayer, to have quiet time, to ask others about their faith, and to live a life that abides in Him—for 2024 and for the rest of my life to come. If faith is a part of your life, what are ways you can make Jesus more of a priority? If faith has never been a part of your journey, message me; I would love to talk to you about ways to consider making Jesus into your 2024 plans.

20.Mindful Spending

The last few years as I have been working, I have always been super mindful of how I spend my money. In 2024, I want to continue with this trend, spending mindfully, examining my needs before my wants, being conscientious, and saving. 

21.Being More Timely

Timeliness is so important to me, but as I have gotten so busy as a full-time student and worker, I have noticed that my timeliness is sometimes down to the dot, barely making it to a meeting, lunch, or coffee just on time due to running from something else. If you struggle with being late to things readers, I would encourage you to focus on being more timely in 2024. 

22.Serving Others 

As a busy person, I find it hard to find time to stop and help others in time of need. In 2024, I want to challenge myself to be willing to inconvenience myself to serve others, giving my time and energy over to those in need. 

23.Giving & Receiving Grace

Although the name of this blog is A Graceful Space, as hypocritical as it sounds as the creator, I find it hard to give myself grace or find grace in life. However, in 2024, I want to continue in the pursuit of giving myself and others grace and forgiveness. 

24.Continual Reflection 

If we are running our lives as if it is a race every single day, how are we ever going to take the time to stop and reflect? In 2024, I want to implement consistent reflection into my routines, examining the decisions I am making, how I am treating others, and the things I am doing. 

25.Writing 

Obviously, as the creator of this blog, I do a lot of writing. Between writing my own posts or editing our guest features’ posts, writing has always been an outlet for me. In 2o24, I want to continue to bring y’all more meaningful content on A Graceful Space.

WHAT’S OUT:

1.Isolation  

Nothing good ever reaps in isolation. In 2024, I encourage you readers to find a beneficial community for your life. 

2.Negative Self-Talk 

Can we stop putting ourselves down, doubting ourselves, and just being negative? I know I am bad at doing this. In 2024, let’s put negative self-talk on our “out” list. 

3.Comparison to Others 

You are uniquely and wonderfully made, created exactly how you were meant to be. Comparison just steals our joy in the long run. In 2024, if you want to be reminded of your worth, check out these Bible verses with me: Psalm 139, Jeremiah 1:4-5, Ephesians 2:10, Matthew 10:29-31, Romans 8:32, & Genesis 1:27. 

4.Cancel Culture 

Hot-take: I cannot stand cancel culture. Not only is it so annoying, but it just reaps resentment, grudges, and harbors unforgiveness. I am not saying that popular figures do not say things that need to desperately be corrected. However, I think the way that culture has adopted a term to “cancel” a person is a tragedy, and I hope in 2024, there will be less of this terrible decision adopted and more of a collective attitude against it rather than for division. 

5.Toxic Relationships & Friendships 

As stated in my “ins” section, having people in your life that are good people, lifting you up, and bringing you happiness is key. Therefore, having the opposite is “out”. Let’s agree in 2024 to healthily be rid of toxic relationships and friendships that do not do anything but rob our peace. 

6.Stress Inducing Activities 

Sometimes, we naturally have to do things that cause stress: change the tire that’s been flat or fire the coworker that has been lacking on the job. However, there are also things that I at least tend to do that cause stress that wouldn’t if I just chose not to do them. Again, in 2024, I want to be more mindful about protecting my peace.

7.Unsupportive Social Circles 

This sentiment goes along with examining your friend groups. Being engaged in unsupportive social circles only leads to disappointment and hurt. You know what to do in 2024, readers. 

8.Limiting Screen Time

In 2024, I want to limit my screen time. Our lives are flooded daily with screens: our phones, computers, kindles, television, ads, etc. Therefore, I want to be mindful about what I am consuming. 

9.Internet Hate 

On the topic of technology, in 2024, can we all come together and dismantle internet hate? I know that’s a long shot and hefty goal to set but come on. The very reason I created A Graceful Space was because I couldn’t find one space, one platform, one corner on the internet where I could go to find some solstice or peace. Let’s be more graceful on the internet in 2024. 

10.Complaining 

I am so bad at complaining: the little things, the big things, everything in between. In 2024, I want to be intentional about not complaining so much. 

11.Small Thinking 

I am a big dreamer, big thinker. With as much innovation that has transpired the last few years, let’s collectively throw out small thinking in 2024.

12.Others Stealing My Joy

Like I have mentioned in this post, I can’t be giving away my joy—especially to those looking to steal it. I encourage you, my readers, to carry the same attitude with you in 2024. 

13.Pressure to Fit The Mold 

My 22nd birthday is coming up in a few days, and looking back on last year, I didn’t have the typical life as a 21 year old. I didn’t go to any clubs; I hardly went to bars; and while I do enjoy my occasional champagne drink of choice, I just felt like I was feeling the pressure to act an age that I wasn’t, and that’s okay. We need to normalize that everyone’s experiences are not the same as everyone else's. If you enjoy the bar, amen. If you enjoy the library, amen. Whatever it is, amen. In 2024, let’s not just fit the molds that society puts onto us.

14.Fear of the Future 

As much as I like to say I am a planner, being one causes me to have anxiety. Because of this, I also have a great deal of fear that comes along with thinking about the future. In 2024, I am going to need to rely more on Matthew 6:34 - “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

15.The Desire to Control 

With my OCD, I desire to control many things in my life. Again, in 2024, relying on scripture is going to be key, especially Jeremiah 29:11 - “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

16.Over Consuming Alcohol/Drugs

Hey, I like my champagne—sue me. However, there comes a point where over consuming alcohol or harmful drugs becomes problematic for our health and loved ones. In 2024, let’s be mindful of what we consume and the quantity of what we consume. 

17.Living In Shame/Regret From Past

We all have things we have done that we are shameful or regretful about; I know that I have made many mistakes and continue to do so everyday. However, living in a state where we feel ashamed about our mistakes to the point where we cannot operate isn’t okay. We can be free by forgiveness and know that especially if you are a child of God, Jesus died for you and your sins. No matter what you have done, He loves you. Like 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” And we can be encouraged in 2024 and for our life to come by 2 Corinthians 5:17 - “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

18.Avoiding the Hustle 

Hustle culture is so saturated in our modern day world. Avoiding this and living in a lifestyle not of hustle is so hard. Let’s reexamine how we live in 2024. Read this article written by Raleigh Dewan this past summer that discusses this: https://www.agracefulspace.online/post/allegro-ma-non-rapido. 

19.Being Too Hard on Self

If we are quick to give grace to others, then we don’t need to be hard on ourselves. In 2024, join me in improving on this.

20. Road Rage

I know this is silly, and I am so bad at falling prey to road rage, but can we please be more gracious to people on the road? These days, the road has become an increasingly scary place for me because of all of the rage going on. 2024 needs to improve on this for everyone. People are just people—imperfect and needing the room for cutting people off occasionally, letting them cut in late, and the temperamental honk. 

21.Overbooking

I am the absolute worst at overbooking. My goal for this spring semester in school and for 2024 is to overbook less and enjoy the lighter schedule I have, being more intentional with the meetings I have with people and being less rushed to get to another place. 

22.Feeling Pressured to Say “Yes” 

Along with the habit to overbook, the tendency to say yes to things and overcommit rather than say no is something I need to stop doing in 2024. 

23.Staying the Same/Being Complacent

I don’t want to look back and be the same person for the sake of complacency. Cheers to being open to change and growing in 2024. Let’s not just be stuck in old ways and habits for fear of risk. 

24.Magnifying the Problem Over the Blessing 

I’m exposing all of my faults to y’all, but surprise, surprise. I’m so bad at magnifying the problem in the moment rather than waiting to magnify the overarching blessing that often comes from adversity. In 2024, I want to look more for blessings rather than at the problems I face. 

25.Impulse Purchases

Oh dear $. Money is always a commodity that people struggle with. In 2024, impulse purchases will be limited for me. Instead, I want to focus on my needs rather than my impulsive wants. 

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Also, remember, readers, navigating trends like "In & Outs" for 2024 requires discernment, as blindly following or rejecting them won't universally solve the complexities of personal growth. Trends, like shifting tides, may not align with our individual needs. Embracing or deviating from trends should be a deliberate, personalized choice, recognizing that what works for one may not for another.

One "In" really might work for you while another doesn't; the same could be said for the "Out" statements. Therefore, make an individualized choice of what matters most to you, and just try implementing what makes most sense based off what speaks to you.

While I listed 25 "Ins & Outs", begin with trying or erasing one or two if you desire; don't let the numbers intimidate you. Again, you do you! Authenticity prevails over the transient nature of trends, and selectively erasing or embracing elements becomes a powerful tool for genuine self-expression and fulfillment.

Thank you for reading my trends of “Ins & Outs” of 2024! 

Comment your own "Ins & Outs" below or DM us at gracefulspace.online on our Instagram or email us as always with questions or inquiries agracefulspacebygrace@gmail.com

Here’s to 2024,

Grace