Spotify Wrapped
Low-Cost Hobbies 8
New Year’s Resolutions 10 Staying Active in the Winter
Letter from the Editor
After a much needed break, we are back and ready to hit the ground running! Although winter term can be gloomy, I hope you can take a few moments for selfcare and some fun! We have some ideas to start your new year on the right foot with finding low-cost hobbies, getting active and setting those looming New Year’s Resolutions. For those reminiscing on 2024, check out our take on the iconic Spotify Wrapped. I hope 2025 is filled with excitement and opportunity!
Bailey Meyers
Special Sections Editor
Publisher & President
Eric Henry
ehenry@dailyemerald.com
VP Operations
Kathy Carbone kcarbone@dailyemerald.
Special Sections Editor
Bailey Meyers
Cover Photo Arianna Rinaldi
Special Sections Writers
Annie Bostwick
Autumn Straus
Ellie Johnson
Georgia Tucker
Sylvia Davidow
Special Sections Photographers
Sophia Greene Arianna Rinaldi
Lead Designer
Eva Andrews
Student Designers
Abigail Raike
Bella Lyon
Gabriela Martinez Contreras Rennick Coates
Ryan Ehrhart
Student Sales Manager
Lola Tagwerker
Account Managers
Cooper Gast
Ysai Hong
Nate Ghilarducci
Elliot Byrne
Duck Living is published by Emerald Media Group, Inc., the independent nonprofit media company at the University of Oregon. Formerly the Oregon Daily Emerald; the new organization was founded in 1900. 7
Director of Sales
Shelly Rondestvedt srondestvedt@dailyemerald.com
Emerald Media Group, Inc. 395 University St., #302 Eugene, OR, 97403 541.346.5511 x327 dailyemerald.com
Creative & Technical Dir.
Anna CK Smith
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Coffee Shops
that will jumpstart you into the New Year
Written by Georgia Tucker • Designed by Bella Lyon
As we transition into a new year, it’s best to be energized and ready to go! One of my favorite parts of the new year is trying new things. Whether you have a busy term ahead or you just need a little boost, here are three fantastic coffee shops you should check out!
Community Cup is located at 901 Pearl St., on the outskirts of downtown Eugene. It is typically open Monday through Sunday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. These hours may vary depending on upcoming holidays. Community Cup offers a wide selection, from sandwiches and soups to your favorite on-the-go breakfast foods- they have it all. If you need a food recommendation, the Star Sandwich is my favorite! It’s the perfect mix of salty and savory, with salami, tomato, mozzarella, pesto and a light balsamic glaze. If you’re in the mood to mix it up and try two things at once, the half sandwich and soup combo is a great choice. This gives you the perfect opportunity to try the soup of the day. Along with all this delicious food, the star of the show is of course the coffee and tea selection. They have everything from your classic drip coffee and espresso to chai, matcha and more! For those who love to study while sipping on a delicious beverage, this is a great spot to sit and enjoy. There are many tables and chairs as well as a few cozy couches for you to sit while you sip your coffee.
Tailored Coffee, located on 686 East 13th Ave., is only a few blocks away from the UO campus. It is open Monday through Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you are looking for a study spot that is not on campus but still close, this is a great choice. They offer a smaller selection of coffee and tea, along with a few breakfast and lunch options. My personal favorite is the avocado toast, but I could also go for their grilled cheese. As for their coffee and
My third recommendation is Dark Pine Coffee. Located on 954 Pearl St., they are open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dark Pine Coffee values quality and local goods. Their coffee and treats are all made in Oregon. Because they are located downtown, they are a great pit stop on your way to your next destination. They offer a variety of beverages, mostly coffee and tea. The cold brew with a splash of vanilla and cream is my absolute favorite. This is a great place to take your friends to relax and fuel up!
I don’t know about you but, I feel like I always need a sweet treat or delicious beverage to get me through the day. It makes me feel so much more productive and prepared! These three coffee shops are great options for everyone’s caffeine needs as we head into the new year. So next time you are in the mood to try something new, go check them out!
Written by Annie Bostwick • Designed by Ryan Ehrhart
Having a creative outlet can be beneficial for anyone, but for college students hobbies and other pastimes can often seem unnecessary and often overpriced. However, as
technology evolves, we spend more time doing our school work on screens and then immediately follow that up by spending our freetime on them as well. This cycle of Canvas assignments
Air-Dry Clay
and mobile games can seem difficult to break when it does not cost us anything to keep it up. Nonetheless, finding a creative hobby to spend free time on can be both relaxing and fulfilling.
For those who prefer to maintain creative liberty with their arts and crafts, air-dry clay is the way to go. With a play-dough-like texture, the clay is easy to mold, and as it states in the name, it hardens after sitting out for 24-72 hours. Air dry clay can make for a practical hobby as well since sculptures can make their own phone stands, coin dishes and coasters. Air dry clay can be found in up to 5 pound tubs for as cheap as $10 at most arts and crafts stores or online.
reading needlepoint
While reading can make for an expensive hobby if one insists on owning a copy of every book they read, it is possible that reading can be one of the most sustainable pastimes. Rather than purchase books online, getting a library card and checking books out from a local library is an easy and cheap way to approach reading. Though physical copies of books are not everyone’s cup of tea, apps such as Libby allow users to check out audiobooks from their local library and listen to them on their own devices. Users can then return the audiobook when they are done and check out their next read just as they would with a physical copy.
While some creative minds prefer to roam free, others thrive under a bit more guidance. Needleworking, such as knitting, crocheting or needlepoint, can be as relaxing as they are productive, and not everyone needs to take a class to learn how to do them. Simple and short tutorials online can be a great way to get started, and materials can be found at any arts and crafts store often for a relatively reasonable price.
New Year’s Resolutions
Written By Sylvia Davidow • Designed By Gabriela Martinez
As another year comes to a close, we begin prepping for the next chapter. I believe the beginning of each year is a fresh start to change our habits as human beings. “New Year’s Resolutions” as they are called, are opportunities for us to reinvent ourselves and grow as individuals through healthy actions we choose to incorporate into our lives. I don’t know about you, but I could always work on appreciating living in the present. For the majority of us, our lives are consumed by technology whether that is researching topics for school, chatting with friends on social media or dissociating by watching mind-numbing videos on TikTok or Reels. In this day and age, it’s hard for us to work on mindfulness, the act of learning to appreciate living in the present through the use of healthy habits. But there is no time like the present, the beginning of a new year to start working on personal growth. Here are three habits you can incorporate into your new year’s resolutions:
Resolutions
1. Reading a book
It is scientifically proven that reading every day can make us smarter and more informed human beings. We can learn more about human experience and the world around us as well as broaden our vocabularies by reading books. It’s amazing there are so many genres to choose from and each story is incredibly unique. From self help manifestos to romance novels, books can teach us about ourselves.
The remarkable thing about reading is that it allows us to live in the present, especially when it is romanticized. This can be done by finding a comforting place to read whether that is on a couch with a blanket or pet, or on a bench outside during a sunny day. I also like to annotate my books with a colorful pen by underlining important lines that stick out to me and writing personal notes in the margins. Like social media, reading captures our attention but has the ability to strengthen our brains and broaden our minds.
2. Getting outside
Exploring the outdoors keeps us present with nature and with each other. Fresh air is good for our lungs and moving our bodies keeps us healthy. Taking a walk allows us to clear our minds, playing a sport with friends gives us adrenaline and hiking somewhere new gives us the opportunity to discover beautiful scenic locations. We can learn to appreciate the small moments in life by getting outside whether that is through sharing a moment with loved ones, hearing a bird chirp or looking at a nice view. And when we do this, we can become more present in our lives and develop less stress and more happiness.
3. Journaling
When it comes to documenting the present, the best time capsule is not through social media videos or photos, it’s journaling. Through writing our thoughts down in a physical journal, we can release what is on our mind and remember important moments in our lives. We will look back on these young years when we are older and it will be nice to remember specific key moments about what we appreciated during this period in our lives. Journaling is also a healthy outlet used to express any feeling and write our emotions on a piece of paper.
It’s hard to incorporate new habits into our lives as it takes around three weeks to form a habit. But with dedication and a good attitude it can be done. Best of luck to everyone with their New Year’s resolutions and cheers to 2025!
Winter In Action
Design & Illustrated By Rennick Coates • Written By Autumn Straus
During the cold dark months that Oregon has to offer it’s easy to slip into hibernation mode. Even if you love to exercise there are so many reasons not to during the winter. It’s cold, it’s raining, it’s dark and you have no time. It’s important to stay active not only for your health but also for your happiness. Here are a few ways you can fit staying active into your schedule. These options require the right amount of time and effort to keep you feeling your best this winter term.
Try working out at home. At-home workouts require some internal motivation but besides that, all you need is a small open space on the floor. It seems like people have taken up Pilates and yoga recently. You can spend money on classes every month or watch a video online for free. There are tons of video tutorials out
there for a range of different workouts. The nice thing about Pilates and yoga is that they are both adaptable. It doesn’t matter who you are, you can engage in these workouts however you please.
For some people hiking in the cold isn’t for them but it can be so worth it. Eugene has many trails to offer that are beautiful all year round. On sunny days hiking can be a great excuse to enjoy the sun while staying active. Even if the temperatures are low you won’t get too cold if you’re walking. Mount Pisgah, Spencer’s Butte and the Willamette River Trail are just a few options for hikes around Eugene. Hiking can be a year-round activity if you dress for the weather.
If you aren’t into working out alone Group X classes could be the perfect way to
motivate you. It costs $50 a term for unlimited classes. You can find a variety of courses that fit your schedule. These include cycling, Zumba, F45 and other classes that cater to what you’re looking for. You can also take advantage of the student recreation center this term. Sometimes it’s crowded but it’s worth it. If you’re already on campus for classes you might as well stop by the rec center.
There are tons of ways to stay active this winter. It’s always okay to take a break from exercising if that’s what you need but don’t stop just because the weather’s bad and the days are short. Don’t wait around the next few months for spring weather to start and your motivation to come back. Make the next few months more fun and more productive by adopting some new activities into your routine.
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Written by
Fostering Connection and Reflection
Abigail Raike
Each December, Spotify users eagerly anticipate one of the most awaited releases of the year—not an album or a song, but their Spotify Wrapped. This feature offers a snapshot of listening habits, unveiling top artists, songs and genres. Beyond the data, Spotify Wrapped curates personalized insights and playlists that evoke memories, while its shareable graphics ignite conversations and build connections among listeners.
“ If my Wrapped includes a lot of sad or emotional songs, I can immediately recall the situation I was in and the emotions I felt,”
- Ella Bratcher, Spotify User
Spotify Wrapped has transformed into a cultural phenomenon, saturating social media feeds with colorful visuals that celebrate users’ loyalty to their favorite artists and songs. Its success has inspired platforms like Snapchat and HBO Max to introduce similar end-of-year summaries encouraging reflection and sharing. This trend’s popularity lies in its ability to blend personalization with nostalgia, allowing users to revisit meaningful moments and forge connections. Spotify user Ella Bratcher said, “I love comparing my results with my friends and taking inspiration from their music taste.” Wrapped fosters discourse about shared interests, helping listeners discover common ground.
For Kara Bane Luckett, who has been using Spotify since 2016, Wrapped is an annual highlight that allows her to reflect on memories from the year. For her, playlists function as time capsules, with songs tied to specific memories. “I
compartmentalize my life into playlists,” she said. “I enjoy Wrapped because it allows me to reflect on everything I accomplished in the year.”
This is true for many Spotify users. Wrapped functions as a musical diary, presenting songs that capture key milestones—a road trip, a breakup or a fun night out. Bratcher explained that seeing her top songs each year brings back vivid memories of specific moments. For instance, “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl” by Chappell Roan reminds her of lively nights out with friends. “If my Wrapped includes a lot of sad or emotional songs, I can immediately recall the situation I was in and the emotions I felt,” she said.
Your top songs
In a world often marked by division, music emerges as a universal bridge, fostering shared experiences and unity. Spotify Wrapped embodies this, encouraging listeners to reflect on the music that shaped their year while connecting with others over shared tastes. For Luckett, her playlists not only highlight personal milestones but also spark conversations. “I love seeing how my friends’ Wrapped results differ from mine and finding songs I might have missed,” she said. Similarly, Bratcher uses Wrapped to relive cherished memories, such as late-night car rides filled with Olivia Rodrigo’s hits.
The phenomenon extends beyond individual reflection. Social media’s embrace of Wrapped has transformed it into a collective event, where users bond over shared admiration for artists or
debate the year’s biggest hits. Platforms like Snapchat and HBO Max have tapped into this cultural moment by creating their own end-of-year reviews to inspire similar connections. This movement underscores the unifying power of music to bring people together.
Ultimately, Spotify Wrapped delivers more than a summary of songs and artists. It offers a window into the moments and emotions that define a year, sparking joy, reflection and a sense of community. In an increasingly divided world, Wrapped reminds listeners of music’s unparalleled ability to connect and inspire.
Champagne Coast Blood Orange
Like the Sun Tanukichan
Cherry-Coloured Funk Cocteau Twins
Deep Water Strawberry Switchblade
Love Demons
Peter Cat Recording Co.
