Blackwing’s Predictions for 2024
Here’s to 2024! In celebration, we wanted to share a few fun predictions for lifestyle trends, popular activities, and cultural shifts that will be on an upward trajectory this year. In response to our rapidly changing digital landscapes, we believe that intentionality will be a key theme for society as a whole.
1. ANALOG OVER AUTOMATION
It feels like every single hour there’s a new “lifehack” or AI that promises to make our routines more efficient. Sometimes, trying to simplify ends up making things even more complicated. This year is about enjoying the process.
2. PHYSICAL MEDIA
Nothing can replace lending a book or passing down a record collection to a loved one. We’re making sure that these works of music, art, and literature don’t just fall into the digital abyss. Films, records, books, and magazines are physical time capsules that not only give us entertainment but preserve a particular time and place.
3. CURSIVE MAKES A COMEBACK
Cursive is back in the California school curriculum, reviving the handwritten script! Not only is it elegant and beautiful; every stroke is intentional and helps us really focus on what we’re putting on the page.
4. FUNCTIONALITY OVER FUNCTIONS
We’re bringing back things that do their core function really well and ditching things that do a thousand tasks really poorly. No more “smart” fridges that can read your text messages or microwaves that can start the car. It’s all about well-built devices and products that do that one thing reliably every time.
5. DINNER PARTIES
Themed dinners, potlucks, or pizza nights — it’s about spending quality time with friends and family through the vessel of a shared meal. Stories, laughs, and food around a table, that’s peak living.
6. AWAY FROM ALGORITHMS
Take back control of our taste and personality profiles. We’re leaning into the things that we want, need, and enjoy, not letting the algorithm determine that for us.
7. EMBRACING MISTAKES
Mistakes are just as important as the final product or goal. There’s something to be learned in every step of the journey. Mistakes don’t define us, but they’re all a crucial part of the stories we tell.
8. REUSING, UPCYCLING & VINTAGE
Thrifting and garage sales are a great way to find hidden treasures and also connect with the community around us. You’ll never know what you’ll find and that’s the beauty of it. Instead of opting for convenience or that brand-new thing, think about how we can repurpose what we already have.
9. CELEBRATE EVERYTHING
Trying is winning, there’s no such thing as failure. Every small step or accomplishment should be celebrated, we’re all on the same path to better ourselves and that deserves to be recognized.
10. STICKY NOTES > NOTES APP
Bust out the Post-Its! Let’s resist the inclination to immediately pick up our phones to jot something down. Science proves that we retain and remember more when we put it down on paper. Leave yourself daily reminders for tasks, things that inspire us, and words of encouragement the old-school way.