Here we are. A couple days before we enter into what will most likely be the last year of our lives that ends in -teen. To me it feels like 2018 started yesterday, but also like the year has been going on for forever. I look back on the memories I have made over the past year, both good and bad, and I almost feel like I am in another universe. The person I was when the year started and the feelings she felt are almost foreign to who I am now. Time can be confusing like that I suppose :) I chose the word "onism" for this post because I feel as though each new year I make the same old resolutions: be healthier, lose weight, be more outgoing, etc. While all of these resolutions are great, I often neglect to include more important, lasting resolutions: experience culture, live in the moment, grow. Not to get all existential on you, but I feel as though lately I have become particularly observant of when I feel most alive. When my head spins with thoughts and creativity, or when I just yell the lyrics to a song that makes me think, or when I feel overwhelmed with the vastness of experience. My resolution this year is still just as cliche, but its something a little less superficial: I want to live. I want to feel alive, to not just float through days, but rather to experience every emotion that comes with being in existence, especially as a teenager. Onism means I am aware of how little of the world I will experience, but it certainly doesn't stop me from trying to feel each and every moment that I can.
So, now for the actual post (hahaha). To wrap up the year, I thought I would do an article on my favorite trends of 2018. Some of these may have been themes that popped up in my life, ongoing trends that I just appreciated more over the past year, or favorites of my life in 2018. You will probably see these trends continuing into my life in 2019, too. Enjoy!
1. VINTAGE MEETS MODERN
I adore fashion, so naturally I had to include at least one trend that was fashion-related. I know that vintage clothes being given new life in the modern world is something that has been going on for decades, but I particularly hopped on this trend in 2018, especially at the end of the year. I have a lot of different fashion moods, but this one has stuck around for awhile. Also, as a side note, there are plenty of disclaimers I could attach to this article so here's a few for your reading pleasure: no, I am certainly not any fashion expert, yes, I know that none of these clothes are actually "vintage," just vintage-inspired, and yes, I realize that this trend can be kind of basic sometimes. I still love it, though :) Here's just a couple of pieces in my wardrobe that I see as vintage-inspired. Did I mention that I just love this trend?
So, now for the actual post (hahaha). To wrap up the year, I thought I would do an article on my favorite trends of 2018. Some of these may have been themes that popped up in my life, ongoing trends that I just appreciated more over the past year, or favorites of my life in 2018. You will probably see these trends continuing into my life in 2019, too. Enjoy!
1. VINTAGE MEETS MODERN
I adore fashion, so naturally I had to include at least one trend that was fashion-related. I know that vintage clothes being given new life in the modern world is something that has been going on for decades, but I particularly hopped on this trend in 2018, especially at the end of the year. I have a lot of different fashion moods, but this one has stuck around for awhile. Also, as a side note, there are plenty of disclaimers I could attach to this article so here's a few for your reading pleasure: no, I am certainly not any fashion expert, yes, I know that none of these clothes are actually "vintage," just vintage-inspired, and yes, I realize that this trend can be kind of basic sometimes. I still love it, though :) Here's just a couple of pieces in my wardrobe that I see as vintage-inspired. Did I mention that I just love this trend?
2. THE COSMOS
I do not know if this is just me, but I feel like there has literally been so. many. cosmos-themed clothes, jewelry, decor, and ideas that were selling this year. I own so many things that have stars or moons on them what the heck? Some of my favorites have been these necklaces (one with stars, one with moons, and one with lightning bolts), this t-shirt (not only because it has a palm reading on the front and back, but also because it is so incredibly soft), this crescent moon neon sign (which I just got for Christmas and leave on for as long as possible because I am so in love with it), these tarot cards (I am in love with the packaging of these cards and that every card is a piece of art in and of itself. I have already done a few readings on myself and my friends and I used to think that these kind of spiritual things were totally fake, but some of the readings I have done on myself have been scary accurate...), this pink quartz light-up moon (which also supposedly dispels bad energy), and this book (which is all about manifestation and how you attract certain things into your life).
I do not know if this is just me, but I feel like there has literally been so. many. cosmos-themed clothes, jewelry, decor, and ideas that were selling this year. I own so many things that have stars or moons on them what the heck? Some of my favorites have been these necklaces (one with stars, one with moons, and one with lightning bolts), this t-shirt (not only because it has a palm reading on the front and back, but also because it is so incredibly soft), this crescent moon neon sign (which I just got for Christmas and leave on for as long as possible because I am so in love with it), these tarot cards (I am in love with the packaging of these cards and that every card is a piece of art in and of itself. I have already done a few readings on myself and my friends and I used to think that these kind of spiritual things were totally fake, but some of the readings I have done on myself have been scary accurate...), this pink quartz light-up moon (which also supposedly dispels bad energy), and this book (which is all about manifestation and how you attract certain things into your life).
3. FILM & CAMERAS
From Kendall Jenner to Cole Sprouse to Bella Hadid, there have been plenty of celebrities in 2018 who have been using film and vintage cameras and posting their shots. I feel as though vintage cameras have become extremely popular recently, along with the disposable films many of us used when we were younger. I love taking shots on film because it captures a moment, adds a unique filter to it from the camera, and also does not involve too much technology. There is just something so satisfying about not taking pictures for Instagram or a photo roll, but rather, for only your own memories. Unless you want to waste a lot of film, you really only get one shot, so it is not like you can say, "omg I look so bad in that." Also, considering how long it takes photos to develop, you are not usually concerned with seeing how hot or not you look in the photo. I love how film appreciates moments and seems to capture more raw emotion than an iPhone camera. Plus, there will always be something special about waiting in anticipation for your film to get developed :)
From Kendall Jenner to Cole Sprouse to Bella Hadid, there have been plenty of celebrities in 2018 who have been using film and vintage cameras and posting their shots. I feel as though vintage cameras have become extremely popular recently, along with the disposable films many of us used when we were younger. I love taking shots on film because it captures a moment, adds a unique filter to it from the camera, and also does not involve too much technology. There is just something so satisfying about not taking pictures for Instagram or a photo roll, but rather, for only your own memories. Unless you want to waste a lot of film, you really only get one shot, so it is not like you can say, "omg I look so bad in that." Also, considering how long it takes photos to develop, you are not usually concerned with seeing how hot or not you look in the photo. I love how film appreciates moments and seems to capture more raw emotion than an iPhone camera. Plus, there will always be something special about waiting in anticipation for your film to get developed :)
4. MUSIC
Okay, so this is not exactly a trend of 2018, but I figured I would just shout-out my two favorite bands. The 1975 and LANY both released new albums in 2018, put out some merch with amazing designs, and went/are going on tours. Their albums were definitely two of the highlights of my 2018 music world, and their songs were relatable, beautiful, and emotional. They definitely made my ears (& me) happier in 2018 :) (also peep the moon on my LANY sweatshirt?? I told you a cosmos theme keeps popping up in my life...)
Okay, so this is not exactly a trend of 2018, but I figured I would just shout-out my two favorite bands. The 1975 and LANY both released new albums in 2018, put out some merch with amazing designs, and went/are going on tours. Their albums were definitely two of the highlights of my 2018 music world, and their songs were relatable, beautiful, and emotional. They definitely made my ears (& me) happier in 2018 :) (also peep the moon on my LANY sweatshirt?? I told you a cosmos theme keeps popping up in my life...)
5. AWARENESS
The youth dove right into a multitude of serious issues in 2018. Whether it was becoming more involved in politics on the right, left, or somewhere in between, raising awareness about the extreme importance of mental health and self-care, or just trying to make the world a better place through awareness of whatever issue they are passionate about, tons of teens got involved in important issues in 2018. While there was, and still is, an insane amount of upheaval happening every day, it is also nice to look back on the positive changes that came about in 2018 and then reflect on how we as younger generations can channel our energy effectively, positively, and educationally in 2019.
p.s. I hope 2019 is your most wonderful, adventurous, amazing, beautiful year yet!
The youth dove right into a multitude of serious issues in 2018. Whether it was becoming more involved in politics on the right, left, or somewhere in between, raising awareness about the extreme importance of mental health and self-care, or just trying to make the world a better place through awareness of whatever issue they are passionate about, tons of teens got involved in important issues in 2018. While there was, and still is, an insane amount of upheaval happening every day, it is also nice to look back on the positive changes that came about in 2018 and then reflect on how we as younger generations can channel our energy effectively, positively, and educationally in 2019.
p.s. I hope 2019 is your most wonderful, adventurous, amazing, beautiful year yet!