THE DIGITAL WORLD
OBSESSED WITH AESTHETICS
Manilka Ediriweera offers insights into a multitude of internet subcultures
Clean girl, cottage core, minimalist and warm girl aren’t random buzzwords. They’re dominant aesthetics to emerge from today’s internet subculture including social media platforms such as Pinterest and TikTok.
These don’t only dictate aspects such as attire; they also creep into how you take your coffee (or green juice), what you read and even your workout routine.
And here’s the thing… These aesthetics don’t end there!
Each one has multiple subcategories such as ‘dark academia’ or ‘light academia’ (trust social media to turn everything into an aesthetic!). And it is safe to say it’s like an endless rabbit hole where the deeper you dig, the more aesthetics and subcategories you’ll find.
But let’s be real… Keeping pace with this aesthetic culture can be exhausting. At first, you might enjoy keeping it clean or minimalist. But aligning every aspect of your life to one aesthetic can be a full-time job.
If you take a moment to think about it, these aesthetic cultures also appear to be a way of selling the idea of a perfectly curated life as the key to happiness.
But is this really the case?
They aren’t simply about what you wear but also include your hobbies, home decor, and taste in music and books. And that’s not all; it’s also necessary for each of these to align.
Aesthetic cultures have become a lifestyle and deviation feels wrong. So you will be left questioning every choice and whether it fits under the umbrella of that aesthetic or not.
You then tend to get stuck in a loop of trying to meet the expectations of these aesthetics, only for trends to change a few months later. And you have to start all over again!
It’s important to realise these aesthetics aren’t always about who we are; but rather, who we want to be. That could lead to problems such as a loss of individuality – because aesthetics tend to infiltrate every aspect of life, and cause tension between wanting to be yourself and fitting in with the vibe.
In other words, living up to these expectations means constantly striving to be something you’re not.
Furthermore, they also come with hefty price tags; and you get caught up in a cycle of consumption, constantly buying new things to fit in, only to discard them when the trend dies. And finally, you will be drained both financially and emotionally.
These aesthetics could also lead to a sense of psychological suffocation because of the pressure to conform to the dystopian sameness.
Regardless of this dark side to aesthetic culture, it exudes a certain appeal. Perhaps it could be that aesthetics and their predefined ‘rules’ provide a blueprint that makes you feel in control when life becomes chaotic.
It could also be that a sense of belonging makes aesthetics comforting because it can help you find your ‘digital tribe.’ In addition, they can be a form of self-expression or a creative outlet for some by creating space for experimentation with fashion, hobbies and more.
This leads us to the million dollar question: should we abandon the aesthetic culture altogether? The answer isn’t straightforward because aesthetics can give you a sense of belonging and help simplify choices when life feels overwhelming.
What’s important is to use aesthetics as an inspiration rather than a rule book. Here’s how you can find a balance in today’s digital world that’s obsessed with aesthetics.
EMBRACE FLUIDITY You can try trends but remember that life doesn’t need rigid categories. Your styles, hobbies and interests should evolve naturally, and not be based on trends.
EXPLORE TRENDS Since trends come and go, make sure to not lose yourself in them. Take the time to explore your likes and dislikes beyond the confines of aesthetics.
CHECK THE HYPE Before diving into an aesthetic, ask yourself whether it’s really you or if you’re simply trying to fit in.
WALK AWAY While you can try a trend, arm yourself with the ability to walk away when it stops serving you or makes you feel exhausted rather than excited.
Here’s the verdict.
The fact is that there’s nothing inherently bad about aesthetic culture. In fact, following an aesthetic can be a great starting point to explore different things and find yourself, so to speak. However, the real danger lies in blindly conforming to these aesthetics. When that happens, they can limit your individuality.
So what’s the answer?
Perhaps it’s not merely about conforming to labels and trends. Maybe it’s time to ditch the labels and focus on what truly brings you joy. Forget cottage core, clean girl or warm girl… because the ultimate aesthetic lies with being you and finding yourself.
That being said, you can decide whether you want to follow multiple aesthetics at once or none at all – what truly matters is finding what makes you happy.
The ultimate aesthetic lies with being you