Rebranding Every day life lets Not do that

In the age of social media, where everyone strives to be a creator, influencer, or trendsetter, it's no surprise that mundane aspects of everyday life are being repackaged and presented as groundbreaking trends. TikTok, in particular, has become a hotbed for this phenomenon. Let's take a closer look at a few of these so-called trends: underconsumption, de-influencing, and crunchy moms, and call them what they truly are – just living.

Underconsumption: Living on a Budget

The latest buzzword making the rounds is "underconsumption." Sounds fancy, right? In reality, it's just a new way of saying "living on a budget." For generations, people have been managing their finances carefully, prioritizing needs over wants, and making do with less. It's called being financially responsible, not a revolutionary trend.

Rebranding basic money management as underconsumption does a disservice to those who have been practicing it out of necessity, not for the sake of a viral video. It's time to recognize that living within one's means is a practical and often essential part of life, not a fashionable trend.

De-Influencing: Critical Thinking

Next up is "de-influencing," a trend that supposedly encourages people to think critically about the products they buy and the influencers they follow. But hold on a second – isn't this just common sense? For years, savvy consumers have been evaluating the worth of products and the credibility of endorsements without needing a catchy name for it.

De-influencing is simply critical thinking with a new label. Encouraging people to make informed decisions is commendable, but let's not pretend it's a novel concept. The danger of calling it a trend is that it implies it might pass out of fashion, when in reality, critical thinking should always be in style.

Crunchy Moms: Alternative Lifestyles

Finally, we have "crunchy moms" – mothers who prefer natural parenting methods, such as cloth diapering, organic foods, and home births. This is another example of repackaging an alternative lifestyle choice as a trend. These parenting practices have been around for decades, if not centuries.

Labeling these mothers as "crunchy" creates an unnecessary divide, implying that they're part of an exclusive club rather than simply making different choices. Parenting is a deeply personal journey, and there's no need to trendify it.

The Problem with Trendifying Life

The obsession with turning every aspect of daily life into a trend is problematic for several reasons. First, it trivializes important practices and decisions. Managing a budget, thinking critically, and choosing a parenting style are significant parts of life that shouldn't be reduced to fleeting social media fads.

Second, it creates unrealistic expectations. Not everyone can be a creator or make a trend work. By presenting these everyday practices as trends, we pressure individuals to package their lives for public consumption, which can be both exhausting and disingenuous.

Being Environmentally Friendly: Just Being Responsible

Another trend that has been misrepresented is being environmentally friendly. Our grandparents simply called it being responsible. Using jars as glasses was common sense during the Great Depression, and not buying what you didn't need was responsible management, not a trend. Being mindful of waste and resource use is just good stewardship, not a fleeting social media fad.

My Journey as a Content Creator

I've tried to make it as a content creator, and only now am I reaching the view thresholds that attract company interest. It's been a long and challenging journey, filled with learning curves and moments of self-doubt. The truth is, not everyone will achieve viral success, and that's okay. Authenticity and consistency often matter more in the long run than chasing trends.

The Dangers of "A Day in the Life" Videos

One particularly troubling trend is the "day in the life" videos, which often present an idealized version of certain jobs. For instance, these videos sometimes gloss over the complexities and challenges of working with vulnerable adults, such as in nursing and support work. They create unrealistic expectations and can foster a "high school mean girl" mentality, where the reality of these demanding jobs is overshadowed by a polished, social media-friendly version.

In nursing and support work, if a client is involved, you must have their consent and ensure they are capable of giving consent. Additionally, company permission is crucial. Even what you say as a private person about your work can get you fired. The Australian Medical Association and other professional bodies have social media privacy guidelines that must be adhered to. Cancel culture is real, and the repercussions of your online presence can be severe.

Navigating the Changing Language and the Risks of Posting Online

To the older generation, it's essential to recognize that language and social norms are constantly evolving. What might have been acceptable to say or do in the past can now have serious repercussions, especially when posted online. I learned this the hard way when a post led to my termination. The internet is unforgiving, and what you share can have lasting consequences.

Once Online, Always Online

It's crucial to understand that once something is posted on the internet, it's there forever. Even with services like "delete me," you can never be sure if the internet archive has a copy, or if someone has taken a screenshot or printed it out. Be very careful with what you post. Community guidelines exist for a reason – to protect both the poster and the audience from potential harm.

Posting at Tech Startups

Posting about work at tech startups can have serious complications, especially if you're not shown doing any work. This was how Elon Musk brought Twitter (now X) back to black. Be mindful of how your posts reflect your work ethic and responsibilities, as misrepresentation can lead to negative consequences for both you and your employer.

The Realities of Being a Content Creator

Being an influencer isn't seen as a reputable career by everyone. It's wise to have a backup sensible skill. Most influencers start out in media anyway, so having a solid foundation in another field can provide security and credibility.

While making TikToks, YouTube videos, or blogs is okay, it's crucial to realize that people are going to read, watch, and judge your content. Fact-checking is essential because not everyone will like what you say, and it might have serious complications. Think carefully about saying "I want to be a content creator" when you're recording your day job. Realize that this decision has long-term implications, both professionally and personally.

Call It What It Is

Instead of trendifying everyday life, let's call things what they are. Living on a budget is financial responsibility. Critical thinking is a lifelong skill. Choosing an alternative parenting style is a personal decision. We don't need to dress these concepts up in trendy clothes to give them value.

So, next time you see a TikTok trend that feels like a rebranded version of common sense, take a step back and recognize it for what it is. Life doesn't need to be a trend to be meaningful. Let's celebrate authenticity over virality and remember that just living is enough.

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By peeling back the layers of these so-called trends, we can appreciate the real value of everyday life without the need for viral validation. Let's stop trying to make trends out of everything and focus on living authentically, embracing the simple truths of our daily existence.