There was something in the air in 2016
Revisiting decade-old content and diving head-first in nostalgia is one way to start a year. That’s exactly what’s happened over the first few weeks of this year with the sentiment “2026 is the new 2016” taking over the internet, alluding to encouraging our old habits and behaviours like making fan-edits of your favourite characters and celebrities, and using in-built Instagram filters to accentuate your Snapchat filter flower crown, well before curating the perfect photo dump was ever a concern.
As a 16-year-old in 2016, thinking back to that time is oh so sweet. I was on top of my homework, took dance lessons and made friends, and most of all, was nowhere near as self-conscious about my online persona. Reading back on our cringe captions and unironic use of hashtags is not just a fun pastime, but an exercise in recognising the power of retrospect.
This power can be translated into our current lives by reminding us that everything is temporary and posting a picture with the Snapchat dog filter is a good idea in that moment. The sentiment online is one of admiration and joy as we embrace the cringe of the past and appreciate that the Mannequin challenge was quite wholesome.
I understand this earnest take on something people are taking to poke fun at their past selves is probably me deep diving it too much. But I can’t help but feel that revisiting these photos and other time-capsule-esque artifacts (fancy way of saying screenshots of Kimoji’s being shared in my year 10 group chat during class) is generally bringing us joy.
Social media feeds are showing how taking part in certain trends are indicative of a search for a sense of community or belonging at a certain time. Just like a Fido Dido shirt back in the 90’s, the Country Road t-shirt or jumper of the 2020’s were treasured items.
We can’t deny there are cultural common threads that tie us together, from clothing, to hairstyles to unmissable films and TV series. For instance, I am finding a sense of delusion belonging in a large pocket of the internet that is currently immersed (nay, obsessed) with Heated Rivalry. The TV series adaptation of Rachel Reid’s book has gone from strength to strength since its release a mere few months ago. I can’t help but believe in love again, yearn for an athletic build and lose myself in fan-edits that flood my TikTok FYP.
My parasocial love for the two, previously undiscovered and working in restaurants, talented actors Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, is perhaps worrying. But I can’t deny that I revel in the feeling of being a passionate fangirl again, like I was in 2016, searching The 1975 lyrics because God forbid Matty Healy annunciates during his songs. Delusional? Yes. Beneficial for managing my expectations and standards in romance? No.
At the end of the day, we are on a floating rock in the universe, and our time is precious. It is to be enjoyed however we please, because in a decade when our lives look completely different, we will look back at pictures of us in our Salomons and uniqlo white tees and chuckle with a warmth in our hearts.
