Zager and Evans had in mind the year 2525 rather than 2025 in a science fiction-themed pop song "In the Year 2525" released in 1969. The song explores the potential future of humanity through a dystopian lens, with each verse jumping forward by 1,010 years, starting from 2525 and ending in 9595.

Such futuristic predictions especially those tied to technology and societal shifts on human life, warns us against over-reliance on technology and the erosion of fundamental human qualities. These observations touch on the fascinating dichotomy of speculative concerns about the future and the more immediate, personal transformations people focus at the start of a new year. We usually think about a more immediate future in the beginning of a new year and plan on personal rather than general transformations.

Such wishful reachable targets typically emphasise self-improvement and productivity in cultures were success and personal growth are highly-valued. In individualistic societies, resolutions tend to focus on personal goals, such as weight loss or career advancement. Sociologically speaking, the content and emphasis of resolutions provide insight into what a society values most within an entrepreneurial culture that emphasises self-actualisation, hard work and perfectionism. I had written about this elsewhere on how personal branding in individualised societies, is increasingly valued within a neoliberal climate.

In many forms, personal branding as a concept shares affinity with the self-coaching movement as it offers a tool-kit through practices and strategies on how individuals can better themselves within the competitive job market. Personal branding emerged as a movement consonant with the intensification of globalization explicitly within the arenas of competition.  It is a way of an ongoing process of self-improvement and establishing an impression of oneself - in a kind of self-commodification exchange within a neoliberal market. Increased self-reliance is also producing anxiety and uncertainties, taking its toll in physical and mental health. Yet with an emphasis on future projections and self-improvements, equally important, and perpetuated in popular culture, is the need to "chill" - as a vital reset to combat burnout.

The year 2024 was marked by another buzzword to be "mindful and demure", reflected a cultural shift towards subtlety, restraint, and calmness. This term, historically associated with modesty and reserve, found new resonance in various aspects of society, from fashion and art to public discourse and personal behaviour.

The Oxford English Dictionary definitions include "calm" and "reserved or composed in demeanour". Characterised by shyness and modesty, being demure has now gained currency as a way how to be sleek in going about your life. The phrase recently went viral on TikTok, where "very demure, very mindful" - is now used in everyday vernacular and trending with an  emphasis on quiet strength and embracing the power of simplicity.  

The sociological significance of this all is on the constant oscillation of the drive to (self) improve in increasingly uncertain competitive and individualistic societies as well as movements to chill and act demure in your everyday life.

As Zager and Evans grappled with transformations in technological advancement, economic and social uncertainty over fifty years ago, such questions remain constant as we set in a more immediate future planning. Such goals for self-actualisation and self-assurance, personal branding and to be bold are brought to the fore as resolutions today. These constant voices are equally being contested by the voices to chill, act demure and introspective as you go about your everyday life in 2025. Wishing all readers, a happy and healthy balance between the two.

Prof. Valerie Visanich is an Associate Professor in Sociology