Inquiry Question: Where has true originality and individuality gone; is our society slowly losing authenticity with the constant urge to follow trends?
Research Step 3: What can we do to combat the normalization of following trends; can we gain the confidence to create artwork rather than imitate it?
Trends are an unavoidable aspect of life. We as a society, are accustomed to viewing thousands of trends on the daily without even realizing it. When acknowledging this phenomenon, it is important to address the root of the topic while also searching for impactful ways to combat the growing normalization. (1) At first glance, this issue may seem simple to tackle, but oftentimes various attempts fall short; being unsuccessful. It is one thing to say you’re going to combat the normalization of trends, and one extremely different thing to take action and actually follow through. As some may say, “all talk, no action.” Therefore, I am on a pursuit to find ways in which we can put a stop to following popular trends, especially the ones that do not align with us.
It is important to note that trends come and go. (2) How long do trends usually last? Not very long durations of time. Although it’s very difficult to resist the urge of following trends, especially when everyone around you has seemingly already hopped onto the bandwagon. (1) Sometimes viewing the same things, just in a different font, gets boring and dull; generating a mundane atmosphere. (2) Do you ever stop and think about how the most famous artists, the ones who by definition are the most successful, are individuals who simply created artwork as their most authentic self? It’s truly engrossing to think about, and on a personal note, makes me want to go about my everyday activities in the most authentic way as possible.
Individuality is sacred nowadays. Authenticity can be used as a weapon. In a world full of people copying off of each others’ ideas, how can I set myself apart? If all we ever do is mimic the vast majority of people, all we’re doing is entering a never-ending cycle, reusing and recycling the same material. (3) The biggest takeaway is a phrase some may label corny but in all sincerity is true; “Dare to be different.” (3) It is very difficult to noticeably set yourself aside from the rest of the crowd, because we all know that “fitting in” with the majority of people fosters a sense of belonging. (4) And in all fairness, who doesn’t want to feel a sense of belonging? Although on a deeper level, the majority of people need to get inspiration from some kind of source and guess what? That source comes straight back to the one individual who had the courage and bravery to exist as their true authentic self; capable of resisting the urge to “fit in” with the rest of the population. (4)
How can we break the barrier in order to live a life as our authentic selves?
For one, we can take time to reflect before making decisions by looking to our core values and beliefs. (5) Pausing before making a decision that may affect our mental or physical state is essential in order to make the best decision possible. Constantly following trends keeps you on the hamster wheel, living in a never-ending cycle. To combat this exhausting cycle, focus on the aspects in your life that truly matter, and cut off the background noise that is only there to distract you. (5) In addition, following trends based on material goods only decreases the amount of money in your bank account. (5) One tip to combat this behavior is by waiting 24 hours before making a purchase you were thinking about. By utilizing this tactic, it helps prevent any impulse spending, and helps you better understand whether an item is truly desirable or would just collect dust on the shelf. To conclude, it is very admirable to be an authentic person, capable of setting yourself aside in a world so detached from such actions. Now that you have more insight on this subject matter there is one question I will leave you with, being a key takeaway.
Can you gain the confidence to create artwork rather than imitate it?
Thank you very much for dedicating the time to read my blog post. I hope you learned more about this insightful topic, taking a few key takeaways and utilizing them in areas of your life!
-Vanessa Vukovic
References:
(1) Ruggeri, A. (2024, March 17). How the abnormal gets normalised – and what to do about it. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240314-how-the-abnormal-gets-normalised-and-what-to-do-about-it
(2) Hawkins, S. (2025, December 7). Stop Chasing Trends—Start building what lasts | Sterling Hawkins — Sterling Hawkins. Sterling Hawkins. https://www.sterlinghawkins.com/growth-hub/dont-chase-trendsand-why-that-matters
(3) Ocal, I. O. (2025, February 14). Stop Following Trends, Start Thinking: Lessons from Stephen Hay. medium.com. Retrieved May 18, 2026, from https://medium.com/@isillocal/stop-following-trends-start-thinking-lessons-from-stephen-hay-5939c33c9dc2
(4) INSTRUCTOR, T. I. (2025, March 22). Beyond the Hype: How to Avoid Trends and Cultivate Timeless Authenticity. growthbegin.com. Retrieved May 18, 2026, from https://www.growthbegin.com/2025/03/beyond-hype-how-to-avoid-trends-and.html
(5) Swivel. (2026, March 17). 5 reasons to stop trend hunting (And what to do Instead). Nichefire. https://nichefire.com/blog/5-reasons-to-stop-trend-hunting-and-what-to-do-instead
