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Ashtyn Miller | Arts & Entertainment | February
As the new year begins, an interesting trend has been emerging online. A push toward making 2026 the “new 2016” is becoming increasingly more popular. Wired headphones, oversaturated filters, and older pop music are making a sudden comeback. While I appreciate the enthusiasm people have for reliving this time period, I have to wonder why this trend is happening. Why did it start, and what does it say about the world we live in?
Initially, it started with “The Great Meme Reset” (TGMR) back in December 2025. TGMR aimed at resetting the current memescape back to that of 2016 in the new year. Along with the popularity of TGMR came a wave of nostalgia for all things 2016. By the end of December, people all across the internet were saying the same thing: “2026 is the new 2016”.
So how are people partaking in this trend? For starters, songs like “Lush Life” and “Lean On” have made a resurgence. Along with that, people have begun posting pictures of themselves from 2016. Overall, a carefree and joyful demeanor has taken over the internet.
2016 Aesthetic Collage
Photo taken from Reddit
I’m all for reliving the past (and I can’t lie, I feel nostalgic about 2016 too), but I feel that this trend points to some deeper issues in society. Why are we so eager to revisit 2016? What are we trying to escape?
To me, the answer is clear: We want to feel comforted in an uncomfortable world. Gen Z is growing up, and the adult world feels uncertain. Most, if not all, of us were kids in 2016. Back then we weren’t burdened with the stresses of life. We lived carefree in a world that seemed vibrant and peaceful. It’s only natural that we should revert back to a simpler time.
Revisiting our childhood makes sense in a world filled with chaos, hatred, and political instibility. People want a distraction from the horrible news infiltrating every part of our online lives. Doomscrolling is meant to be easy, not make you think.
Overall, I see this as a prime example of how the pandemic has permanently altered the internet. Instead of trends merely being a reflection of the past, they are now being used as a way to escape reality. Nostalgia driven content, for better or for worse is the way of the future.
Aside from this overly cynical take, I do appreciate the way that this trend has made the internet a brighter place. My FYP has certainly become a happier place because of it. So go post that oversaturated picture. Go blast “Lush Life” onyour way to school. Go relive the past. Just don’t get stuck there.
Ashtyn Miller, Reporter
Ashtyn Miller, Reporter
Ashtyn Miller is a reporter for The Courier. This is her first year on staff. She hopes to strengthen her writing skills and become more comfortable making her writing public.
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