2027 Is the Year of Minning: Why We Must Abandon Maxxing Culture

The era of maxxing has reached its tipping point, with Dictionary.com naming “maxxing” its word of the year and trends like namemaxxing—blending baby names such as Maeve and Avery into “Mavery”—spreading across social media. Columnist Polly Hudson argues that maxxing, the relentless pursuit of self-optimization, is selfish, try-hard, and often futile. She points to the universal disappointment of New Year’s Eve as proof that even funmaxxing fails, despite efforts by celebrities like Dua Lipa. In contrast, minning—doing less, or nothing at all—is framed as a noble alternative that prioritizes collective well-being over individual achievement. As we look toward 2027, the call is clear: step back from the hamster wheel of constant improvement and embrace a more relaxed, community-focused way of living.