How to Stay Original When Everyone's Following Trends

On the internet, if it’s trending, it’s working. It could be a phrase, a song, a format—whatever form it takes, you know it’s a trend when it takes on a life of its own, practically inescapable for a moment in time whenever you scroll. Trends are small snapshots of a wider culture, we can look back on them and know exactly what resonated during a specific period. But what happens when you’re constantly putting on the next big thing everyone’s talking about?

In a recent episode of Dani Barretto’s The Bare It All Podcast, she shares her platform with Preview’s Editor-in-Chief Marj Ramos-Clemente to talk about the importance of individuality in today’s chronically online world.

While a useful tool for discovery, the algorithm, Marj cautions, also rewards sameness. “Sometimes you don't know what you really want. It's just what everybody else is doing and consuming” she says. The interviewer concurs, pointing out that young people these days tend to learn what to do, how to talk, and what to think from what social media feeds them. “So yung totooong ikaw, nawawala,” adds Dani.

As someone whose job it is to be always in the know, Marj’s advice to battle the internet’s monotonous trap is to be more intentional about unplugging. She reminds audiences, “Sometimes practicing your individuality means consuming less.” Take a pause and recalibrate. Getting to know yourself away from other people’s opinions is the first step to discovering your unique tastes and personality. Doing this means letting boredom happen and coming up with an original thought not dictated by what everyone else is engaging with.

“[Social media] is difficult to navigate when there’s pressure everywhere,” acknowledges Marj, so even she has to consciously remind herself to step away from all the noise and spend time with herself and her family.

That said, the internet isn’t all bad as it’s become a space for self-expression and identity building. “It's so nice to come across, especially creatives who are proudly Filipino, proudly queer, proudly unconventional,” Marj tells Dani. “I think there's so much creative confidence now in our culture, so that's super exciting.” The journalist explains that social media has managed to democratize certain spheres that were once seen as intimidating or exclusive. Fashion is one good example.

“Before, it felt like fashion was catering to a specific audience. But now everything is out there on social media.” Gone are the days when being stylish was synonymous to the world of The Devil Wears Prada. Online, everyone gets the chance to dress up, show off their ’fits, and become each other’s inspirations.

“Fashion is for everyone,” has always been the EIC’s philosophy, and it’s never been more possible than it is today with how accessible the internet has made the sartorial world. Marj adds, “We don’t police anymore what people wear. Ngayon there are no more rules. You do you. That’s the rule.”

Watch the whole interview below as Marj and Dani talk more about why style and substance should co-exist, motherhood, and the value of authentic storytelling in this day and age.