It’s a new year and while many people are peeling the wrapping off of new planners and setting their goal trackers, I thought we might take a look at some things to leave behind in 2025 — specifically related to the things we geek out about. So here are 5 Fandom Things we’re not carrying into 2026:
Being Stuck in the DNF
Are you (like me) the sort who has a giant stack of books (or movies or games) waiting for you because you got bogged down in one that’s just not doing it for you? Maybe it was super popular even and everyone swears this faery love triangle is, like, the best book of the year!!!!! but you just caaaan’t quite bring yourself to pick it up again? It’s okay to let it go! Especially if some feeling of obligation is the only reason you keep trudging through — just put it down and pick up something that piques your interest! It’s great to live in a world with something for everyone and it’s okay that not everything is for everyone. This also applies in your “Watch Later” queue, by the way. Sometimes it feels good to delete the whole thing and start fresh, trust me!
Gatekeeping Fandoms
Really though this one should have gotten in the bin years ago. If you’re a fan of something cool, don’t keep it to yourself! Share what you love with a friend, or make a new friend by inviting them in — don’t judge someone because they like it for different reasons, or in a different way, or are new to the fandom! Maybe someone has only seen the live-action version of One Piece but you’ve read every manga and seen every episode of the anime. You can both be fans and nerd out about it together! You might even get to introduce the other person to their next “geek love” along the way!
Going Broke for the Fandom
Look, I’m never going to tell someone not to buy the cool collectable or wear the awesome t-shirt or get the gorgeous tattoo or however you want to “own” a little piece of your favorite fandom. But maybe, and maybe this is just me but I suspect not, just maybe, companies are preying on our nostalgia and the memory of what we couldn’t have as children to convince us to spend more money than we need. Now like I said to start — if something brings you joy, I am not here to yuck your yum! But I am here to say you don’t need to feel like you have to buy every single piece of merch with a Care Bear on it just because one of your Care Bears got sold for a quarter during a garage sale and you’ve never quite gotten over it. (Okay, maybe that one is just me.)
“Guilty Pleasures”
Along similar lines, why do we even still talk about “guilty pleasures”? As long as it isn’t doing harm to anyone (which is an important caveat), love that you love! It’s okay to be into something super niche or super mainstream (or both!). There’s no award for liking the best set of things or only being “into” certain fandoms. Celebrate what you love with confidence!
Toxic Fandoms
We don’t have time for this nonsense. If there is a fandom community that is just plain toxic, you do not have to participate. Even if you love the property itself! Even if you’re super emotionally invested in the story and characters! If you find that the fandom culture around it makes you feel all the ick? You do not have to be part of that. (I’m looking at you, Star Wars.) Find your own fandom friends and celebrate the things you nerd out about! You can even sign up for a pen pal to find someone else with the same geek love. 😉
