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As we settle into a new year, I’m reflecting on how I can live my best life. One useful strategy is creating an Ins and Outs List: a tool to help you identify your priorities and let go of distractions.
Noting my Ins and Outs is one of my favorite ways to welcome in a new year. I find this practice more beneficial than traditional New Year’s resolutions.
Remember, you can continue to refine your Ins and Outs after January 1st! Even though it is already late January, there is still time to improve our lives!
Read on to learn how to use an Ins and Outs List to be your best self (all year round)!
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What is an Ins and Outs List? How Can it Help You be Your Best Self?
An Ins and Outs List refers to creating a list of the habits, mindsets, goals, etc. that you want to focus on (your Ins) and the ones you want to let go of (your Outs).
This simple reflection practice can help you clearly define your priorities and live in alignment with those values.
First, let’s go over some tips to help you create more effective Ins and Outs.
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Tips for Recognizing Your Ins and Outs
There is no right or wrong way to determine your Ins and Outs, but these tips can help guide your reflection.
⟡Reflection Questions
Ask yourself these questions to decide where you want to focus your energy:
⟣What word(s) capture how I want life to feel this year?
⟣What activities feel energizing?
⟣What activities feel draining?
⟣What habits, mindsets, and beliefs align with the best version of myself?
⟣What habits, mindsets, and beliefs are holding me back?
Photo by Han: https://www.pexels.com/photo/minimalist-desk-setup-with-coffee-and-journal-30234377/
⟡Write Down Your Ins and Outs
Writing is a helpful way to cement your goals. Plus it gives you something to refer back to when you want motivation. Write your Ins and Outs in a journal (or a digital document, if you prefer).
⟡Balance Being Aspirational and Being Realistic
When setting goals, it is important to balance being aspirational and being realistic.
On the one hand, it’s good to push yourself, because that is how you grow and improve. But on the other hand, it’s important to set realistic and achievable goals.
If your “Ins” are too lofty and you don’t fulfill them, it can hurt your self-confidence.
I know this from first-hand experience. I am currently on a journey to rebuild my self-trust after periods of not achieving unrealistic goals.
All of this is food for thought to consider when assessing your Ins and Outs.
Now let’s look at my 2025 Ins and Outs as an example. I am partially sharing this to inspire others and partially to create a sense of accountability for myself.
Ins
Mindset Ins
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⟡Accountability
Speaking of which, accountability is one of my 2025 Ins!
⟡Letting Go of Things That Don’t Serve Me
Letting go of things that don’t serve me is freeing. This includes everything from physical possessions to mindsets and habits. It’s challenging, but learning to let go allows me to evolve.
Over the holiday break, I was able to clean out my room at my parents’ house and release some old items that I no longer need or want.
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⟡Self-Acceptance
I’ve spent too much of my life fighting against who I am. I want to get better at accepting my tendencies. This includes making plans and decisions that align with who I am (not who I think I “should” be).
⟡Self-Trust
As I mentioned, I know that periods of inconsistency in meeting my goals has hurt my self-trust and self-confidence. So, I am focusing on small steps to regain that trust.
Photo by Brittney Weng on Unsplash
Lifestyle and Wellness Ins
⟡Living Mindfully
Practicing mindful moments throughout the day is a great way to calm your mind. Simple practices like deep breathing and focusing on my five senses help me stay grounded.
Through mindfulness, I intend to spend more time enjoying the present moment instead of worrying about the next thing to come.
Photo by Brigitte Tohm on Unsplash
⟡Stress-Reduction and Nervous System Regulation
I am someone who experiences a lot of stress and anxiety. I would like to get better at regulating my nervous system, instead of letting stress consume me.
According to Unyte Health,
“When the nervous system is regulated or in balance, it’s able to promote a state of calmness and relaxation, allowing the body to efficiently respond to stressors and maintain equilibrium. A dysregulated or imbalanced nervous system, on the other hand, can lead to a wide range of conditions and issues that can have a negative impact on both physical and mental health.”
Photo by Anna Tarazevich: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-shot-of-scrabble-tiles-on-a-white-surface-6230964/
⟡Prioritizing Sleep
I haven’t had great sleep habits in the past. I recognized I wasn’t getting as much sleep as I would like. I know that getting more sleep and keeping a consistent sleep schedule will help me feel my best and provide the energy I need to meet my other goals.
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
⟡Crafts
I love the idea of making crafts, but I haven’t set aside time to craft like I want to. So, I am making a point to prioritize some crafting time. In addition to expressing my creativity, I know I benefit from using crafts to unwind and relax.
Check out this blog post to learn about the mental health benefits of crafting. It might also inspire you to spend more time on crafts!
Photo by Polina Kovaleva: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-notebook-on-the-table-5717425/
⟡Journaling
I’ve been curious about journaling for a while. A lot of people find journaling to be a helpful mental health tool. I finally discovered a journaling method that works well for me, so I would like to continue to do that in 2025.
If you are also curious about journaling, check out this blog post I wrote that explains how journaling can improve your mental health.
⟡Reading
For a long time, I wanted to get back into reading. I am excited to say that, I finally enjoy reading again!
So, I definitely want to keep that habit going.
Photo by Nick Morrison on Unsplash
⟡Online Courses/Learning/Continuing Education
For a while, I’ve been saying that I want to expand my knowledge through online courses. I designated Friday evenings after work to focus on that, which I would like to continue doing throughout 2025.
Organization and Productivity Ins
⟡ADHD-Friendly Systems
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult gives me helpful information about how my brain works. I am using this information to implement routines and systems that help me stay productive.
⟡Using Notion
I plan to use Notion more to stay organized. Notion is an all-in-one productivity and organization tool. I love using this app to organize many aspects of my life, including making checklists.
Check out Notion here to see why I find this resource so helpful!
⟡Checklists
I’ve realized that checklists are useful for creating order, and I want to continue refining mine and using these tools to stay on track with my routines.
⟡Consistency
All of my Ins align with consistency in my self-improvement journey.
Photo by Jess Bailey Designs: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-an-ipad-768473/
⟡Working ahead
Along with organization and consistency, I want to work ahead as much as possible. I want to get things done early, so I have more time to relax. This is especially the case with content creation. Ideally, I would like to have my social media and blog content scheduled out at least a week in advance.
⟡Meal Prepping
I like the idea of meal prepping. Having a meal ready to go is so helpful, especially on nights when I have plans.
If you also want to meal prep, check out my blog post that shares a simple strategy to help you save time in the kitchen!
Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich: https://www.pexels.com/photo/checklist-in-a-white-bondpaper-6837793/
⟡Scheduling Admin Time and Breaking Things Down
Sometimes basic tasks, like answering texts or scheduling appointments, feel overwhelming. But, these tasks are important. Setting aside time to check off those tasks can help them feel more manageable.
Breaking down larger tasks is also helpful for making my to-do list feel less intimidating. I’ve realized that taking one small step at a time is the most realistic way to get myself to accomplish daunting projects.
⟡Focus
I know that improving my focus will help me with a lot of my other goals.
Now, that I shared my Ins, I also want to share my Outs for 2025. These are some of the habits I am working to move past in this season of life. I recognized that these habits don’t benefit me, so I want to focus on letting them go to feel my best. Hopefully, this encourages you to let go of some unhelpful habits, as well!
Outs
Mindset Outs
⟡Self-judgment
This year, I want to let go of self-judgment and embrace and celebrate myself instead!
⟡Holding On to Things That Don’t Serve Me
As I mentioned above, letting go of things that don’t serve me is freeing. This can be hard to do, but I am working on it.
Recently, I was able to get rid of some clothes I know I don’t wear. Now I can donate those items, and they can go to someone who will get more use out of them.
Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
⟡Limiting Beliefs
Sadly, I know I have some subconscious limiting beliefs holding me back from being the best version of myself. It’s time to do the work to let those go, so I can improve in the ways I want to.
If you relate to that, make sure to check out my blog post on tips for overcoming subconscious limiting beliefs.
Lifestyle and Wellness Outs
⟡Food Waste
I am experimenting with different strategies to cut down on food waste. These include:
🍎Keeping a list of everything in my fridge, freezer, and pantry. And reviewing that list regularly.
🍎Storing perishable foods where I can easily see them.
🍎Dedicating one night per week to eating leftovers.
Organization and Productivity Outs
⟡Procrastination
I have had a bad habit of putting things off until the last minute. I know many of us procrastinate, so I hope talking about this inspires you to overcome procrastination, as well.
Photo by Renáta-Adrienn on Unsplash
⟡Rushing
Many of my “Outs” correlate. For example, procrastination can lead to a lot of rushing at the last minute. I do not like feeling rushed, so I intend to do what I can to prevent time pressure.
Photo by Nino Souza: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-ring-bill-alarm-clock-2277923/
⟡Chaos
Procrastination and rushing also lead to a lot of chaos in my life.
I am looking forward to creating a calmer, more peaceful life for myself in 2025.
⟡Inefficiency
I feel like I don’t have a schedule that works for me. Yet. I am working on developing systems and routines that help me stay organized and efficient, so I waste less time.
I hope sharing my 2025 Ins and Outs inspires your personal growth journey. And, I hope you use these mindset tips to effectively set and achieve your goals this year.
Come back to this post any time you need encouragement on your self-improvement journey!
I also want to acknowledge that letting go of unhelpful habits is a lot easier said than done. So, I hope sharing this list inspires you and reminds you that we are being our best selves together!
Make sure to sign up for my email list to get notified of monthly blog posts with tips to help you be you create a life you love! And, follow me on social media (links below) to stay connected and receive daily lifestyle inspiration.
Featured Image: Photo by Giulia Bertelli on Unsplash
Life by Julia 