thoughts on the happenstance of 2025

media i consumed last year, the media to consume this year, and my ins and outs for the year

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Well, I suppose the event of 2025 arriving wasn’t a happenstance, because it arrived just as any year should. Perhaps I just like the word happenstance, but you won’t know. This post will be divided into several parts, of my general thoughts on the past year and the year ahead.

1. My Favorite Media I Consumed in 2024

This year, I tried to consume media more personally and thoughtfully. With the current online situation, it is so easy to consume without much thought of what you’re looking at or hearing. There’s so much content at our disposal, and the amount of access has changed the way we look at media. I don’t think it’s necessarily bad to have so much at our fingertips— it’s now easier than ever to expand your music, film, and literary interests. That being said, I don’t think we appreciate things as thoughtfully as we should. This year, I especially emphasized music. I rooted through my parents' old CD collection and through the collections at Half Price Books. I’ve been listening to them in my car and I’ve found it quite a pleasurable experience. It’s good to listen to whole albums— in the way the artist intended instead of compiled with many other things on a Spotify playlist.

Not all the things on my list were released this year, but it is the media that has most affected me this year.

1. Albums

Growing Up: The Linda Lindas

In July, I must admit, I was quite depressed and anxious. Perhaps if you know me well and you’re reading this, you should know what that is. But I will not share it with those strangers who are reading this from wherever, because it is certainly not your business. But this album became a stark reminder of how joyful things could sound and be. It reminds me of the carefree naivety that comes with growing up, but also the notion of growing up and learning more about the world. This launched me into my very intense Linda Lindas phase— just ask anyone around me at that time and they will affirm.

Favorite Tracks:

• Oh!

• Growing Up

• Why

No Obligation: The Linda Lindas

I stayed perched by the computer, watching the Spotify countdown tick down till the release. The Linda Lindas sophomore album was absolutely incredible— they’ve improved so much at instruments, vocals, and songwriting. I think the most special thing about this album, and their music to me, was relearning the confidence in being different. They seemed to be strong and stand in their opinions unapologetically, and I truly needed that when I got into them. The Linda Lindas opened the door for me to get into punk rock, which is a new style of music and mindset than anything I’ve ever participated in before. It’s been a wonderful new interest that I hope will prosper into 2025.

Favorite Tracks:

• No Obligation

• All In My Head

• Nothing Would Change

• Once Upon A Time

• Lose Yourself

Future Me Hates Me: The Beths

I can’t lie, I found The Beths from a Linda Lindas interview that they did in Japan a few years ago. Like I said, my Linda Lindas obsession was very intense. But this is about The Beths! They’re a band from New Zealand, and they are very very good. Their instruments and harmonization feel so unique and so beautiful. I highly recommend their Tiny Desk Concert.

Favorite Tracks:

• Future Me Hates Me

• Uptown Girl

• Little Death

Expert in a Dying Field: The Beths

Here’s another album from The Beths! This is their more recent one— it came out in 2023. I feel like this is one of those albums that truly changes you when you listen to it, and the more you listen, it changes you more and more. Their music has a way of feeling like it’s been written just for you, because their lyrics are so personal and intimate. The songs listed below quite literally changed my life.

Favorite Tracks:

• Expert In A Dying Field

• Knees Deep

• When You Know You Know

• Your Side

Pick Up Full of Pink Carnations: The Vaccines

This is one of two albums that actually came out this year on this list! It’s also The Vaccines’ best album since their first (but don’t tell them I said that). I don’t have too much to say about this one except that it’s lots of fun and it reminds me of being in New York City this summer.

Favorite Tracks:

• Discount De Kooning

• Lunar Eclipse

• The Dreamer

• Heartbreak Kid

The SpongeBob Musical Soundtrack

I think for the past year and a half, I have fallen out of love with theatre, which admittedly, used to be quite the lifestyle for me. Never in a million years would I have guessed that the show to change my mind would be The SpongeBob Musical (especially since I’ve spent so much of my existence criticizing it). I’m still in the show, and I think playing Karen the Computer is some of the most fun I’ve ever had. It’s reminded me that my hobbies should be something I enjoy, and that theatre is actually really fun!

Favorite Tracks:

• When The Going Gets Tough (not biased) (actually very biased)

2. Films and Television

I must admit, this isn’t something I consume very often or switch up very much. I end up watching Gilmore Girls over and over again and then I just call it a day. However! Here are some new things I watched this year I genuinely enjoyed.

Jojo Rabbit

When I watched Jojo Rabbit in AP World History this year, I believe my life was changed. This is the most poignant, funny, and beautiful movie I’ve seen in my entire life. I think this is obviously such a tumultuous period of time in history, with Nazi Germany, yet it is handled with grace, and enough humor to be tasteful. Plus, every actor is so excellent, the cinematography is stunning, and the story flows wonderfully, even if it feels as if it shouldn’t. Jojo Rabbit is my favorite film that I’ve ever seen, and I’ve only watched it once since to not get burnt out.

Top Chef

I refuse to lie about my love for Top Chef, which is a recent addiction as of this year. They added it to Netflix, and my parents used to be quite a huge fan. My mother has since informed me which woman was eliminated on the episode that aired the night I was born. I prefer the later seasons, (favorites are Denver and Seattle) just because it shifts from more of a reality show to more of an emphasis on cooking. I love yelling at the screen pretending I could do better than them, and appropriately raging at the most annoying chefs.

The Daily Show

With the election, I tried to become as properly engrossed in politics as I could. The importance of being informed was crucial to me. I’ve always loved The Daily Show, but I began watching it much more this year. It provides light on the dire situation the United States currently finds itself in. The hosts are genuinely so enjoyable to watch— it wouldn’t be a Monday without John Stewart’s voice through my headphones.

3. Books

Perks of Being a Wallflower: Stephen Chbosky

I think this is another piece of media that truly changed my life this year. I’ve tried reading Perks of Being a Wallflower three times now, and backstage of Beauty and the Beast (perhaps dressed as a plate) was where I finally committed. I can’t believe I had ever given up on this book, truly. It is a poignant reminder we are not alone in our suffering, however it may be. To observe Charlie’s life, as a character who considers himself an observer to others felt really important. It also reminded me of the importance of writing, and why I loved to in the first place.

Me Talk Pretty One Day: David Sedaris

I was in a bit of a reading slump, mostly from trying to read too many intelligent, non-fiction books in a row. But I had come back from a volunteer camp weekend in Portland, Oregon, and my parents handed me this book before I got on the plane. I tore through it so quickly— it was so funny, and so personal. It’s the sort of book that makes you feel that you’re just catching up with an old friend. His stories are relatable, and intriguing. It makes you hope that you should also live such an interesting life, to tell such good stories.

Jane Eyre: Charlotte Brönte

Jane Eyre is my favorite classic, and favorite book ever. I think with a lot of these older books, it’s rarer to find such a headstrong protagonist. I found Jane strong, funny, and romantic— all things I aspire to be myself. Yes, Mr. Rochester is romantic too, but I also think he’s gross and I don’t like him that much. But the prose in the book is so strikingly beautiful, it draws you in wholly. Excellent read.

2. Media I Intend to Consume in 2025

I’ve never really been one for making extensive lists of the things I should like to read, listen to, or watch. I let it take me by a whim on whatever I feel that day. But in no particular order, here is some media I intend to consume in 2025.

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

I have intended to read this for a while, because I bought it with my Barnes & Noble gift card months ago. So I pledge to read it this year because we should read the books we own!

Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez

My best friend told me I should read this, so that’s what I shall be doing. She promises to read Jane Eyre in exchange. I don’t know much about this book honestly, but I trust her to not steer me wrong.

A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn

Well, honestly, I’ve already started this book so I just shall continue it in 2025. I think it’s good to read up on these different perspectives rather than the glossed-over version we get taught in schools.

I can’t think of any more at this exact moment, so let me know if you have more ideas. I’m sure there are some more must-reads, must-watches, or must-listens that I just haven’t discovered yet— so please let me know.

3. Ins & Outs For 2025

I’ve always wanted to make one of these lists, and I am ready to discuss this.

1. Ins

• listening to CDs in the car

• outfit repeating

• sleeping with lots of stuffed animals

• making your room a hodgepodge of things you love instead of aesthetic conforming

• become more empathetic and thoughtful

• long chats with friends

• reading what I desire instead of what I think I should be reading

• writing in my diary

• making more brave and spontaneous choices

• saying yes to things I want

• saying yes to experiences that’ll make a story

2. Outs

• the constant feeling that you need to “glow up”

• not really listening to music intentionally

• genuinely consuming media

• making fun of people for doing childish things

• thinking about yourself, but also trying not to too much

• being nonchalant

• not being curious

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I can’t believe it’s 2025— that’s such a crazy-sounding year to me. I apologize for this post being such a hodgepodge of everything I’ve wanted to talk about. Hopefully, you enjoyed reading my thoughts. Please let me know your thoughts and give me recommendations of things I should do this year, and things you plan on doing this year.