what's trending (according to my algorithm)

Recently there has been a very annoying AI advert on Tiktok showcasing heartbroken couples who have been cheated on. It’s not something I’ve ever been interested in and that won’t change anytime soon, but somehow, Tiktok thinks I love the content. I have no idea why the algorithm has been showing me this, but I sure as hell know how to make it stop. I quickly select not interested, clear my cache, and engage with content I do like, using the search bar and clicking on hashtags that interest me. If all else fails, I consistently close the app whenever those particular ads show up on my for you page. The ultimate ‘I don’t like this content’ signal to tiktok’s segmentation system.

Whether I’m scrolling through Pinterest or Tiktok, the algorithm is always showing me what I want to see. That’s not because I just allow the sites to show me anything, but because I don’t. I would like to say I’m pretty meticulous with my digital media consumption. When I don’t like something that appears on my feed, I’m very quick to remove it, and repeatedly do so until the sites stop showing them to me. I guess you could say I train the algorithm to understand what I like.

The result? My digital garden is pretty consistent with my personal brand. Colour schemes, vision boards and motivational quotes that I actually like are not hard to come by across all my social media platforms, which means it’s fairly easy for me to curate vision boards for my own personal style - and upcoming trends.

Being in the fashion industry for years now, I’ve learnt (the hard way - no £££ lol) how to not get swept up by the seasonal trends where I hyperfixate and overconsume for a couple weeks before I realise the trend doesn’t actually fit with my style at all.

Seeing my own trends come to life through each flower of my digital garden makes me feel like I am aligned both physically and digitally, which is a great feeling to have. Not feeling overwhelmed by all the different subcultures I think I fit into, or all the aesthetics I think I am, because I’ve tweaked the system enough for it to know who I am entirely, is such a great feeling. Don’t get me wrong, I know that I can’t beat the system in it’s entirety, but I don’t think it’s beaten me. And that’s what matters.

What is nice is that, when these sites do show me something that is trending, it’s usually something within my own style, something I know I can incorporate and make my own. It’s not bold bright colours when my wardrobe is anything but, just because Zara Larson made neon cool again. It’s also not stripy tracksuits and pigtails because illit, despite the song name, made it just that. My algorithm, taking information from other apps (lets be honest, we know they all snoop), knows I love Midnight Sun and Not Cool Anymore, but it also knows my style doesn’t align with those song concepts.

In the end, most of the things trending on my FYP will probably be on millions of other people’s feed, and that’s also okay. I don’t except my style to be synonymous to myself only, but I do expect the trends that appear on my feed to be elements of me.

Long think piece over, here are the trends on my for you pages across Pinterest, Tiktok, Twitter, Substack, IG, and writing each one out makes me think I have too many social media accounts, but that’s a problem for another day.

• Lace - In my hair, on my sneakers, on my journal or bow tied on my bag.

  Lace has been filling my feed slowly since mid November, and I’m sure it’s due to the inspiration I gained while in Japan, which led to me searching for it on pinterest. This could have turned out very generic as it’s a popular trend this season, but instead it’s curated for me. A few pins later, and I’ve got a bunch of new idea’s on my feed, presenting in aesthetics that suit my style most. I see myself incorporating this trend through my sneakers and bag’s as accessories, and as another clothing layer to my usual work attire. I bought a few keychains from the Gachapon’s that I know a cute black laced bow would look sooo cute with!

• Silver / Pink Chrome Nail Art - a cool futuristic style

  The style of nails itself isn’t exactly new to me, but the mixture of Silver / Black / Pink alongside the chrome affect has been filling my feed more. Lots of girls in Korea had nails like this and it was too cute to not notice and want to try for myself. This isn’t what I’d usually go for, especially without a gold shimmer, but when I plan for my next nail appointment I can’t see myself getting anything that doesn’t look like this. Gold is definitely more up my alley but maybe during these cooler seasons I can try something different and see how I like it!

• Elevating the black outfit - becasue thats all i fucking wear lol

  I’ve recently been trying to wear more than my simple black trousers and black t-shirt to work, and instead pairing a black shirt with a green skirt, or my all black ensemble with pastel pink accessories. I’m a huge advocate of the all black outfit as it’s such an effortless look, and working out a way to elevate that but in a way that feels authentically me has been challenging and fun! I’ve gone through my wardrobe and discovered a theme in my outfits, using layers, textures and frills alongside pops of colour (usually creams, greys, greens, burgundy and pinks). I’m really excited to see what kind of outfits I can make with a more informed idea of my style, aided by a little mood board.

• Analogue life - New ways of documenting huge milestones

  Why not create my own memories in new ways? The best moments of my life shouldn’t only be relegated to a Instagram carousel and a blog post. Those moments in time where I’m having fun or being emotional are the moments when I’m feeling most attuned to myself and thus much more creative. So, why not present those memories in a more creative way? I already document in my junk journals so that’s not anything new, but how can I take it further? Can I burn the video’s I took on my trip to Japan onto a CD to watch? Could I make a CD of all the songs I listened to while I was out there? Should I get back into embroidery collage art and use my digicam photo’s taken in Korea? Shall I redo the feature wall by my desk and add things from the trip? There is so much more, and my feed knows I’m itching to try every form of documentation so I can hold onto the memories forever.

I’m enjoying my digital gardens so much more now that they feel like me, and it’s nice to see current trends reflected on my feed in a way that speaks to me. It’s important to be intentional with trends and not overconsume, so I encourage having a little dig through the items you currently have a see how you can take part in new trends without succumbing to quick purchases. Use your algorithm to inspire new ways of using things you already own, doing things you already do, and wearing things you already wear, but in a cooler way. :)