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UH | Culture

Almost Everything Makes a Comeback

Updated Published
Jimena Juarez Student Contributor, University of Houston
Lana Shannak Student Contributor, University of Houston
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UH chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.
Broadway play posters in Times Square.
Photo by Denys Nevozahi from Unsplash

Is 2026 truly the new 2016? This is a question being asked as the trends from the good ol’ days are making a comeback. It hits us like a wave of nostalgia for an era that was once cherished by the youth. Suddenly, your feed is filled with songs reminiscent of the popular social media apps Musical.ly and Vine. The mannequin challenge is making a comeback, and “Hotline Bling” is echoing in Brandy’s ambiance. Could we be heading towards another PokĂ©mon Go summer? The great meme reset shows that people tend to be nostalgic when they’re anxious about the future. And really, who isn’t? With the future being uncertain and trends coming back and leaving, it is interesting to look back at how things have changed from the past to now. 

 

QR Code menus

Point, scan, and connect is a process that is becoming inevitable, with more and more restaurants adopting this method for payments and menu browsing. As a result, receipts are now a thing of the past, the physical ones at least. However, what is happening to the experience of reading the menu, visualizing the dishes, and savoring the listed ingredients? Apparently, that might be a decade-old method. Nowadays, menus often feature more pictures and less writing, which can lead to disappointment when your plate arrives looking completely different. The feeling of being “foodfished” can be truly disheartening for food lovers. 

Just give me the paper menu that allows me to make an informed choice, and if I would like, I will consider trying something new based on the appealing description. (Please and thank you!)

Watch parties at Bars

Sports have a tendency to stay relevant. Most bars showcase a variety of sports across their numerous TVs. While it’s often perceived as a man’s world, ladies enjoy watching sports too; however, the focus tends to be on men’s leagues, leaving women’s leagues rarely visible. Heaven forbid that women would prefer to watch Twilight, Friends, or music videos instead! We appreciate K-bbq because it offers not only eye candy on the screens but also our favorite tunes playing in the background. The man’s world of decades ago is slowly being replaced by a reality where everyone at the table gets a set. This ambiance will undergo a massive gender inclusive reset. 

Weekly TV episodes/ series

Binge watching is not a new phenomenon. Since the early 2000s, it has evolved primarily through television and DVD formats. The ability to consume an entire series in just a few hours challenges traditional viewing habits, but does this rapid consumption affect our ability to appreciate the story’s suspense and rising action? Experiencing a whirlwind of emotions in such a short period can be overwhelming. The landscape of streaming platforms has made binge-watching more popular than ever. While some viewers wait patiently and try to avoid spoilers so they can enjoy an entire season at once, others opt to catch up on batches of episodes every few weeks to maintain their viewing rhythm. 

It’s crazy to think about how people in the early 2000s would wait weekly for new episodes to watch. I, personally, would love to sit down and get through an entire series of ‘Bridgerton’ in one day rather than wait a week, but alas, maybe T.V watching has gotten overstimulating. 

orange sunset with friends
Photo by Levi Guzman from Unsplash

Whether a song takes us back a decade or simply exhausted for by digital acceleration, it’s clear the modern world is constantly negotiating with the past. This tug-of-war between the efficiency of a QR code and tacicle comfort of a paper menu, between the isolated convenience of streaming binge and the electrical energy of a watch party. 

Comebacks ultimately are trends that change the way we express our human desires; nevertheless, they stay consistent. We want to be seen, informed, and experience to the fullest. 

Jimena Juarez

UH '27

Hello, my name is Jimena. I am an aspiring writer with interests in pop culture, history, and literature. I love poetry and anime. Currently, I am an undergraduate at the University of Houston, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Political Science. I consider myself a music enthusiast and enjoy exploring various genres. Additionally, I appreciate nature and enjoy going for walks.

I enjoy having structure in my life; my planner is my best friend. However, I also embrace flexibility and understand that not everything needs to be planned—there's joy in spontaneous moments, too. I take pride in the numerous playlists I have crafted, which range a variety of genres, from blues to cumbias on the dancefloor; everyone is a muse. Each piece of rhythmic art is essential.

My favorite quote is from one of the most impactful authors in literature, Toni Morrison. "If there’s a book you really want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it." This reflects the power of writing, a concept I wholeheartedly believe in. Perfection has no place in my life. For me, there's no need to strive for a goal that is standardized by others. Good or bad, I am here for the feeling.
Lana Shannak

UH '28

Hi! My name is Lana and I am an undergrad at the University of Houston double majoring in Communication Disorders and American Sign Language Interpreting. I am very passionate about accessible communication, deaf culture, and American Sign Language.

When I am not studying or working, you can find me writing, playing with my dog, watching a good movie, or obsessing over a new book.