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Trends have a way of sneaking up on you. One day, you’re minding your business; the next, you are stocking up on glue gun sticks and spray paint to repurpose an old picture frame into a breakfast tray. But let’s be honest—will you use it, or are you just being influenced?
Even if you don’t consider yourself trendy, trends still shape your world. They dictate what’s in stores, what’s in your algorithm, and even what you see on TV. Influencers and marketers track trends to make money, but you can track them to make better choices. Knowing why trends exist empowers you to decide what’s worth your time, money, and energy.
So before you go on a DIY spree just because TikTok told you so, let’s take a step back. How do trends work? Why do they spread? Most importantly, how do you choose what’s influencing you?
What’s Trending Right Now and Why?
If you’ve searched “how to repurpose old candle lids” or “can I use a shower curtain in my window?” congrats—you’re part of a trend. Over the past month, searches for repurposed home decor have been soaring in the US, with people looking to turn everyday items into aesthetic masterpieces. But what is causing the trend? Likely three big reasons:
Sustainability Vibes. A topic gaining momentum in the media, people are more aware of the environmental impact of waste and are looking for creative ways to reuse what they already have.
Economic Factors. Inflation has been appearing in the headlines for months, making repurposing old items a practical and cost-effective alternative to buying new home decor.
Seasonal Decluttering. As spring approaches, the urge to refresh and reorganize kicks in, and people are looking for ways to repurpose items before discarding them.
Choose Your Influence: How to Engage With Trends Consciously
Trends can be fun, inspiring, and even useful—but only if you don’t lose sight of what actually matters to you. They often present themselves as solutions to problems you didn’t even know you had—whether it's saving money, making life easier, or keeping up with what’s new. But pretty soon, you might find yourself overwhelmed, trying to keep up with every aesthetic or buying supplies for all these so-called money-saving trends. Here's how to stay true to yourself while keeping up with the trends:
Pause Before You Invest – Ask yourself, "Was I actively looking for a solution to this problem before?" If you were fine without it, you don’t need to spend time or energy on it just because it’s trending.
Adapt Instead of Adopt – Take what works for you and leave the rest. Just because repurposing used candle jars is trending doesn’t mean you need to buy a bunch of candles to use up. Maybe you have some food jars you can use instead.
Create Instead of Consume – Can you restyle the decor and clothes you already have? Maybe you own something that just needs a fresh arrangement or a new way to wear it without any store trips.
At the end of the day, trends aren’t the enemy—they’re just loud. The key is ensuring your choices are yours, not just a reflexive response to what’s popping up on your FYP.
So tell me, what's trending for you?
Creative Renewal
Love the repurposing trend but don’t know where to start? My Creative Renewal sessions help you reconnect with your own creativity so you can see new possibilities—without just following what’s trending. Let’s make space for what actually inspires you. Sign up for a free consultation today!
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