My 2024 Ins & Outs: Mindfulness Edition

The vulnerable list of comfortable habits I'm letting go of and uncomfortable habits I seek to adopt in 2024 and beyond

Welcome, I’m Lindsay. The Slow Studio is a space I’ve created to write about my approach to slow(er) living as a design studio owner, multifaceted creative and first-time mother. Subscribe below to receive regular musings in your inbox, and keep up with me on Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok.

Although I know better than to hold myself to unattainable standards through New Year’s resolutions, the recent “ins and outs” trend on TikTok feels like a more gentle approach to setting better intentions for 2024.

And honestly? I’m here for it.

The spark of recent conversation around ins and outs propelled me into considering my own, and before I knew it, my fingers were fumbling for my phone to jot down the comfortable habits holding me back (outs) and the more uncomfortable habits that I hope to carry with me (ins) for the days to come.

The findings from this stream of consciousness were surprising and eye-opening, so I thought I’d share them here for the sake of accountability (because we all need it!) and to inspire you toward discontinuing and adopting new, life-giving habits of your own, too.

Before we get into it, these habits are in no particular order of importance – just the little daily rhythms – some sinister, some not-so-much – that have snuck their way into my life that I hope to transform moving forward.

Old Comfortable Habits to Lose (Outs)

• Seeking information that confirms negativity bias – how often have we doom-scrolled in an attempt to justify clouded, jaded thinking? I know that I have, and as a habit, it slowly corrodes any rose-colored view of the world. I’m ready to let this go.

• Scrolling to numb my mind and ego – in the same vein, I acknowledge my natural inclination to pick up my phone the moment that an uncomfortable thought enters my mind in order to distract myself. But how much growth could come from acknowledging the feeling and exploring it?

• Anxiety, catastrophizing and “what if” – I often feel like my mind lives only in the future; as someone who craves slowness and unbridled presence more than anything, these habits directly stand in the way of that.

• Assuming others don’t want to be my friend – cultivating community is something that my heart deeply craves and desires, however, I often find myself scared to let myself be fully seen by potential new friends. Removing the mask that I so often wear in social situations will be scary, challenging and new – but I believe it will be fully worth it.

• Mindless coffee and caffeine grabs – while this one may seem trivial, caffeine has had its grips on me since high school. In an effort to temper my anxiety, I want to explore what day-to-day living looks like without the jolt of caffeine to my system and how my mind and body respond in return.

• Allowing career to encompass my identity – it’s hard to believe that 2024 will hold the seventh year of owning my design studio. For the last decade of my life I’ve allowed my career to shape my entire identity, and until very recently, I was content with that. However, my entry into motherhood has transformed me in ways that I believed I wouldn’t change, and my identity has shifted into something much more dimensional and complex than just a business owner – and I need space to honor that.

New Uncomfortable Habits to Adopt (Ins)

• Resting in mindfulness and the utter bliss of not knowing – I will no longer seek out content or information to confirm or nurture negative thinking; sometimes, it’s alright to rest in blissful ignorance for the sake of our mental wellbeing.

• Grabbing a book or writing when compelled to scroll – one of my major hopes for 2024 is to return to a regular writing practice and share thoughtfully on Substack, while also reading a chapter a day of a book. Writing has always felt like one of the most natural acts to me, and I’ve missed its ability to connect me to my inner, truest self.

• Assuming the best, staying present and accepting what is true – this will be a monumental challenge for my naturally anxious mind, but I know without any doubt that such peace awaits in the depths of presence.

• Extending invitations to others to enter my life – instead of waiting to be invited or approached, I desire to be the one striking up conversations with potential new friends and making the first move with invitations. I dream of hosting a gorgeous women’s night in full of beautiful food, delicious wine, dim candlelight and music.

• Mindful water and tea grabs – in the place of caffeine and coffee overconsumption, turning to water and tea seems like a more sustainable move toward daily hydration while still enjoying sips of something special and hot.

• Allowing career to temporarily take a needed pause – to be honest, this shift of identity feels terrifying and like I’m letting go of everything that I’ve built. However, I know that it’s needed – I can feel it in my body. My hands are ready to take a break from the keyboard and to scoop up my sweet daughter instead, at least for now. I’m ready to invite flexibility into my life and explore what working and nurturing my family can look like when the time feels right.

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It feels so vulnerable to share all of these inner hopes and wishes for another year, but I want to share these parts of myself with this community – and encourage you to do the same, too.

What are your ins and outs for 2024? Are there habits that you hope to let go of and new ones that you hope to integrate into your daily rhythms of life? Share with us in the comments 🤍

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