Masuk Free Press

Sheppard.New Year, New Wellness 

As the new year begins, many people are evolving to different trends and lifestyle choices. These habits are more intentional, encompassing wellness and affordability. Everyday routines are being shaped by the online world, where trends spread quickly and influence how people approach their everyday lives. This could be a result of the world’s attempt to become healthier, more mindful, and more financially conscious. 

To list one of a couple of these commonly popular trends arising, journaling has surged on an online basis, and more people find themselves journaling daily or weekly. Platforms like tiktok will often show journal outlines or someone’s routine that will encourage others to follow it. 

“When I get overwhelmed, journaling allows me to organize my thoughts and regulate my emotions,” said senior Emma Troesser “ I usually get ideas when I write as well, and use the time to plan my day and goals.” Journaling allows for more mental clarity through goal setting or emotional health. This online exposure makes journaling feel more comfortable for beginners.

In the exercise world, physical movement is also evolving greatly; running and cycling have almost taken over in the place of pilates or yoga. It’s becoming more popular to go on a run or go to a cycle bar, then spend a good amount of money on a fitness class like pilates. Activities such as running require minimal equipment and flexibility. These activities are often shared online progress logs or route tracking, leading to more community in the exercise world. People have realized more benefits of running other than the affordability. “Running clears my mind and boosts my mood, and physically it makes me feel strong and energized,” said junior Nikol Kupieieva. 

Food and drink trends have also taken off over the past years with drinks such as matcha, growing in popularity. Rather than making a traditional coffee, many people have been getting matcha as a perceived healthier alternative. But it’s not just matcha, many people have been crafting their own “fun” drinks at home, such as flavored waters or combining sodas/ tea and sharing them online, inspiring others to create their own. “When you make a drink at home, you can make it exactly how you want it,” said senior Sienna Jones “Also it saves a lot of time, and money isn’t wasted waiting in long lines for an overpriced drink.”

To continue, fashion and beauty trends are also becoming more practical and sustainable, and thrifting has been found to be more popular than going to a regular retail store. People are eager to see what they can find and save financially. “Thrifting is so fun, especially when seeing what types of clothes you can find,” said Kupieviva. “It’s also really cheap, and it’s good to reuse for a better overall environment.” Thrifting has helped change consumerism back to reusing. In addition, at home nails have become popular too; rather than spending a lot of money in a nail salon, people have been doing their own nails at home, which is more financially friendly and convenient. “Doing my nails at home has saved so much money, considering I bought everything when I first started and only buy new things when I run out of what I need. It’s also very convenient because I can change the color or design whenever I want and do them exactly how I want,” said senior Carly Leventakos

Carly Leventakos nail set done by her

Social media plays a massive role in how these trends gain popularity, with many wellness creators making this content, it encourages people to also act on these new trends. These short-term videos showing wellness changes will start to affect how the viewer lives. This allows the viewers to feel connected online while sharing a similar goal with the creator. Online communities help normalize these healthy lifestyle changes. 

“Social Media has a big impact on how trends move, making them grow much faster. 50 years ago, trends would take a month or two. You would have to hear about it through a friend or in the newspaper,” said senior Evelyn Crawford. Nowadays, it can be shared within seconds, and the more it gains popularity, the more people want to do it. Social media is a part of people’s daily lives.” 

Financial awareness is also affecting how these trends develop. With the rising costs of everyday expenses, people are changing to more affordable lifestyle changes. For example, at home, nails, running, or thrifting are some ideas of this more affordable living. These trends prove that wellness does not have to be expensive. 

Overall, these trends reflect a great shift towards intentional living. As the new year arises, it’s clear that people are prioritizing health, mindfulness, and resourcefulness. This might show that trends today are more than popularity, but meaning.