Culture critics today contend that the new year is not actually a good time to reinvent yourself. Having never subscribed to the resolutions or linear glow-up promised in Planet Fitness coupons, I am auditing habits and trends — both personal and societal — to decide what makes the cut for 2026.
What’s OUT:
Staying up late for no reason
No more sacrificing sleep without a cause, especially if the culprit is your phone and the unending rabbit holes hidden within. This year, rest is best.
Keeping a scoreboard on people
Before friendship breakups, I had a nasty 2025 tendency to keep score. I analyzed who sent what invitation, who took longer to answer a text and who stopped reaching out first. This year, I’m telling myself the ball isn’t in anyone’s so-called court. If you miss someone, call them. If you never want to see them again, don’t.
Dubai chocolate
This is stupid. And overpriced. Stop it.
Instant gratification
Answers, happy endings (ahem, “Stranger Things “) and achieved goals are too easily accessible. What happened to the art of the toil — the grind that made an accomplishment feel that much more rewarding? We’ve lost the plot of yearning: bring it back.
Slang term: “unc”
In the spring 2025 semester, I studied abroad. A glimpse of my experience looked like this: every time I followed someone on Instagram, they’d ask, “Why do you have ‘unc’ in your bio? What does that mean?” My attempt at being chic with the way I stylized our University was totally misunderstood. Did people think I self-nominated myself as “unc”? In 2026, this word needs to be cut — especially at Carolina.
What’s IN:
Whimsy
We treat 2016 like it was entering the gates of Nirvana. “Juju on That Beat” fluttered our brains, and we went to absurd lengths for “Pokemon Go” — we need to bring back that same carelessness, zeal and silliness in 2026. We’ll be more joyful for it.
Showing up for your people
Somewhere along the way, we’ve gotten really good at finding reasons not to: not to make it, not to find 15 minutes to get on the phone, not to show our appreciation. But showing up doesn’t have to be tedious. It’s just about your people knowing you’re there.
Heated workouts (no, not just a Chapel Hill summer)
This fall, I embarked on my heated workout journey. In the middle of my first hot yoga class, I thought I was going to pass out. The temperature was 100 degrees, and my two sweat towels were futile. Armed with my Hydro Flask, I stuck with it. This year, I declare heated workouts “in!”
Journaling
This one seems performative, but trust that it isn’t. Many of us have journals, but our entries are few and far in between. As a second-semester senior, my 2026 advice is to document your time here. I hate that I can’t remember some events, funny sayings and details from my college experience. Plus, I want my kids to have a tangible way to access all my lore, not just iPhone pictures. Let the documentation ensue.
Side parts
I don’t understand why we ever got rid of them. A tasteful side part adds volume, protects your scalp and can accentuate certain facial features. Also, if your hair naturally parts that way — why fight it?
This is my careful outlook at what’s in store for 2026. Here’s to a whimsical, “unc”-less year!
