Brush Calligraphy | © Emily Ung 2016
So, today’s #thoughtpost is actually part of an application for Pulp (hello there editors), but please feel free to read on and wish me luck!
Alright. So, trends.
When I think of “trends”, I think of “trendy” – what’s fashionable, what’s mainstream and what’s popular – what the current “in-thing” is. I think the typical mindset is that in order to fit in and be accepted by peers, one must conform to these trends to some extent – and aren’t we all guilty of that? Yes, that’s right, I’m talking about you – using all the latest social media apps, adding colourful slang to your vocabulary (because saying “yolo” and “get rekt” gives you so much swag?!) (I plead guilty), wearing a Daniel Wellington watch (so guilty), and carrying a Kanken bag (guilty again).
In saying that, I actually consider myself as someone who steers away from the mainstream – a person whose interests are vastly different from most, and someone who strives to be a unique individual. But now even the so-called ‘hipster’ things are becoming mainstream, and that makes me a little edgy. Methinks there should be a classification of “mainstream hipsters” and “hipster hipsters”, don’t you?
I think underlying the trend following, fitting in and a conscious awareness of external perception and yearning for recognition is the instinctive desire to truly discover oneself. It’s so easy to be swayed by peer pressure and follow the mainstream to do what is considered to be “cool” – but don’t forget that it’s most important to do what makes you happy – trend or not. If reading a good book in the park makes you happy – you go do it. If going out with your mates for drinks makes you happy, you go have a good night out. If I like to wear a Daniel Wellington watch, or carry a Kanken bag because it suits me; if I like to write poetry and solve math equations – be damned sure that I will do it. There’s nothing wrong with following trends, or even going against the current, but don’t be afraid of being your own trendsetter.
(Trendsetting exhibit A: me (confidence is key) – so follow me on Instagram @emilyyyung for more trendsetting images and captions /hairflick/)
With love,
Emily.