Finding your identity is part of growing up and going through phases, and changes in your identity and self-expression are expected. Whether it is through trend-hopping or completely changing your lifestyle, with access to the internet, this constant search for an identity becomes consuming for a lot of Gen Z teens; it’s almost overwhelming trying to keep up with trends and new identities. From Clean Girl, It Girl, Coquette and strangely Downtown Girl, all these new trends come with the implication of renewing oneself completely (from changing your wardrobe and how you act, all the way to alternating what you listen to and watch).
These new chronically sprouting subcultures are too consuming and are not only bad for people in general but also for the environment. With every newly manufactured trend comes the need to support fast fashion and consumerism. These trends appear to pop up every couple of months, just in time for the other trends to become too saturated. There seems to be a constant search for the new thing or the new thing to be. While the internet is not completely at fault here, it surely does not make it easy for true self-expression and finding one’s self. The internet pushes forward the same repackaged trends, with step-by-step guides on not only how to be this newly fashioned person but how to live this new lifestyle.
These ever-changing trends make it impossible to like or enjoy something without it being who you are. It is impossible to like something without making it your whole life and part of your brand/identity. These trends not only dictate what you wear but also how you live and what you listen to and watch. This idea of overwhelming allegiance to a trend is worrisome to some degree. It limits your self-expression and puts you into a one-dimensional category.
It is necessary to find yourself organically through years of trial and error. Instead of finding the newest trend that is packaged with a new identity as well, be open-minded to trying new things and dressing how you want. Life is too short to not spend time being your true authentic self. While trends will always exist and exert influence over society, it is important to not lose yourself and become completely immersed in whatever is trending that month. True happiness is found in learning to build your own identity.