Ins and Outs for a Balanced Life

summer '24 edition

I always love reading ins and outs lists. So much so, that I decided to make one for this week’s Substack. While I could have taken this in many directions, I decided to go for guiding points that inspire a fulfilled and balanced summer (both on- and offline, of course!). Here it is:

Ins

• Reading across genres

• Loose scheduling and unplanned hangouts

• Having non-monetized hobbies

• Enjoying nutrient-dense, home-cooked meals

• Giving compliments on more than appearance

• Quitting when something isn’t right

• Phone calls over texts with friends and family

• Unapologetic digital boundaries

• Guilt-free wellness to feel your best

• The block and unfollow buttons

• Liking what you like

• Movie marathons in the AC

• Being kind

• Investing in good basics

• Getting lost in the little moments

• Slow mornings and cozy nights in

• Leaving your phone behind

• Celebrating family and friends

• Substack and creative Instagram Stories

• Being bored and allowing your mind to wander

Outs

• Celebrity worship

• Hyper productivity

• Trusting influencers over experts

• Multitasking and disengagement

• Posting to social media just because

• Scarcity mindset

• Taking photos just for social/to share

• Finishing books or shows you don't like

• Being afraid of outgrowing people and places

• Immediate responses

• Selective empathy

• Any clothing that isn't comfortable

• Using social media selfishly

• Cheap wine and over-consumption

• Consecutive nights out

• Resisting the hard things we know we need

• Being self-absorbed

• Negative self talk and gossip

• Overbooking yourself

• Unnecessary screen time

What’s on your list?