Why I No Longer Feel the Need to Follow Trends

There was a time when I felt the pull of trends, whether it was clothing, music, or even the latest must-have gadgets. It wasn’t necessarily a conscious effort to follow the crowd, but looking back, there was definitely an underlying pressure to keep up. As I’ve got older, that pressure has faded. I no longer feel the need to follow trends, and honestly, life feels much simpler because of it.
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I think a lot of it ties into age. When you’re younger, there’s this unspoken expectation to fit in, to keep up with what’s current and relevant. You don’t want to be the one who’s out of touch, wearing last year’s styles or not knowing the latest viral sensation. But as time goes on, that need to conform starts to feel less important. You realise that most trends come and go so quickly that trying to keep up is more exhausting than it’s worth.

These days, I know what I like, and I stick with it. My style, my interests, my routines – they’re all shaped by what works for me, not by what’s trending at the moment. I don’t feel the need to update my wardrobe just because a new season dictates a change, and I don’t rush to buy the latest tech unless I actually need it. It’s freeing to be content with what I have rather than always chasing what’s next.

There’s also something to be said about quality over quantity. So many trends are built on fast fashion or fleeting fads, encouraging people to buy things they don’t actually need. I’d rather invest in things that last, whether that’s clothing, home items, or even experiences. It’s a much more satisfying way to live than constantly feeling like you need to keep up with an ever-changing cycle.

Of course, this isn’t to say that I don’t occasionally take inspiration from what’s popular. If I come across something that genuinely interests me, I’ll embrace it. But the difference now is that I’m not following trends for the sake of fitting in – I’m choosing what works for me, regardless of what everyone else is doing.

Letting go of that need to conform is one of the best things about getting older. There’s a confidence in knowing who you are and what you like, without feeling like you need outside validation. It makes life a lot easier – and a lot more enjoyable.