As we approach the end of the year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what we want more of — and less of — in 2025. Think of this as a collective resolution for all of humanity. We have seen what works and what doesn’t, so now we must decide what we’re going to take with us and what we’re going to leave behind.
Welcome to my 2025 vibe report: what’s in, what’s out and how we can all live our best lives come the new year.
Live music is in — and I don’t mean sold-out arena shows with thousands of screaming fans. If you want live entertainment, go to a nearby venue or a restaurant that serves as a hotspot for local bands. Not only is this a great way to support up and coming musicians, but it creates a sense of the community that the world so desperately needs.
That being said: Ticketmaster is out. I’m tired of trying to buy a concert ticket and being hit with an accumulation of random fees, paying for extra ticket protection and then being kicked out of the queue and replaced by a reseller. I know that Ticketmaster is essentially an empire at this point, but in 2025, you may want to join me in considering other alternatives, such as StubHub or VividSeats.
Speaking of community, attending campus events hosted by student organizations is in! This is an amazing way to create lasting connections in college. Your classmates don’t have to be complete strangers, and you can join a club regardless of if it relates to your chosen field or not. At Oakland University, there are so many fun ways to engage with others that don’t include additional coursework.
Long-form content is in. Going to the library is in. Physical media is in. Asking a question on the internet and finding the answer within an article instead of through AI is IN! Even if you don’t like to read, you can go to the library for video games, cameras or any of your technological needs. In 2025, we are taking advantage of the resources available to us.
X is out. I know it’s hard to let go, but I have come across the perfect alternative: BlueSky. It’s essentially what X (formerly Twitter) used to be, before the influx of unregulated content, hate speech and political propaganda. And while we’re on the topic of the internet — social media challenges are also out. It was fun when we did the mannequin challenge, but now people are eating tide pods and lighting themselves on fire. We should probably just go back to ding-dong ditching. And while we’re at it, let’s say that filming strangers in public is also out. It seems to be a trend to film things that you see at school, work or the gym. Nobody wants to log on and see that they’ve unwillingly gone viral.
In 2025, outside activities are in — when the weather gets better, of course. I would encourage everyone to start having picnics with their friends and family. When’s the last time that you laid out a blanket, ate a homemade lunch and did some kind of creative activity? It’s therapeutic, and it’s free. Homemade gifts are in, and so is going to secondhand stores. Doomscrolling is OUT! It’s time to get hands-on by crocheting, painting, scrapbooking, playing an instrument, etc.
My overall theme for my vibe report is to create, build community and support others. In my ideal world, there’s less time lost to doomscrolling and more time spent engaging with your peers. I’m guilty of this, so I will be holding all of you (and myself) accountable.
What’s in your 2025 vibe report?
