New Year, What's good?

Another list for another year <3

Every year we see listicle after listicle about what's in and out for the coming year - and I love every. single. one. Agree or disagree with what they say, and trust that I disagree with a lot, it's fun to see where the gen pop is at with the current and upcoming trends. So here's what I, KJ Scott, smut writer and Farscape enjoyer, think is gonna be make or break this year.

IN: MORE GAY SPORTS

Heated Rivalry obviously had a huge impact on the last month of 2025 and has left everyone frothing for more. And sure, of course I want more media around gay sports - I was a Stick It truther after all, but even more I'm hoping a cultural shift comes from this. After a very, very long year of gay and especially trans athletes being under attack from a nasty government - this is a reminder that they are a small minority screaming loudly.

We have the winter Olympics coming up, with more LGBTQ+ rep popping up every time! We have Coach Jackie telling us all the queer sports tea on TikTok! More people than ever are watching hockey, football, and basketball - hopefully giving players the ability to speak more openly if they want. We love to see it.

OUT: CLEAN GIRL AESTHETIC & QUIET LUXURY

This is one topic I saw on the most "Out" lists and ya know what, it needs to be there. Get it out of here. We don't want it. It's absolutely tied into the rise of conservatism. It feels as if people are so worried of being different or labeled "weird" that they lose their own interests.

I want to see personality in 2026. What's your hyper-fixation - tell me about it! There's nothing more enjoyable than someone being excited. And if you're excited about fancy skincare, at least be loud abut it! You spent a lot of money on that purse, tell me why you love it! (If you can't, that's a sign to rethink these "trends") Be intentional about purchases, support artists, and love what you do buy - even if it's not the current it girl item.

IN: GAME NIGHTS WITH SIMPLE GAMES

When did saying "I want to have a game night" start meaning that we're going to get together and play a six hour epic (plus at least an hour of instructional time). Sometimes I just want to have people over, make a cute cocktail, and play a round of uno while we talk about our lives! I don't have room in my tiny apartment for a full bookshelf of complex games that no one has heard of before. We're all tired. Learning a new game is fun sometimes, but more often than not I want something that's not going to take the whole evening to play and my whole concentration to retain.

OUT: SAYING "I COULD NEVER PULL THAT OFF" TO SOMEONE

Why do people always say this??????? AND it's always framed as a compliment but what it really comes across as is "what you're wearing is insane in this context." Like just say I look nice. Or have cool eyeliner. Or that the color I'm wearing is fun. By saying you could never wear that, you're outing yourself as a boring, insecure person. Is that what you want??

Let's get some confidence in 2026! Leave this phrase behind and try things! Try the wacky makeup look you saw on Pinterest (it washes off if you hate it!) Try a new clothing piece you found at the thrift store. Experiment! Everyone whose style you covet started by experimenting - and not everything will be a hit, trust, but it's about trying and you'll start to figure out what you like and what you don't.

Here's the full list of my 2026 predictions, let me know what you think - and which "outs" I'll pry from your cold dead hands (we all have one - looking at you dirty, filthy martini girls)

Much love, KJ <3