It may be 2026, but I can’t stop thinking about 2016, and if my Instagram feed is any indication, everyone else is feeling pretty nostalgic, too. People have been flooding social media with grainy snapshots from the bygone era. It was a simpler time when chokers were the finishing touch to every outfit and bold matte lips reigned supreme. But beyond the obvious visual fashions that ruled 2016, these eclectic photo dumps remind me of an intangible trend that I hope makes a lasting comeback this year: putting in effort. Thankfully, we seem to be on the right track. I’ve already seen a substantial shift in beauty and fashion trends, and the year is just getting started. 

“Clean girl” makeup has officially died (may it rest in peace) in favor of more glamorous looks—think cut creases, glitter, and lots of color, à la 2016—that spark joy and bolster self-confidence. Individuals are waking up from an influencer-fueled minimalism trance and finally discovering that bold clothing makes them feel alive. (So long, boring quiet luxury!) Even fragrance has gotten an experimental makeover, with people leaning into layering to create one-of-a-kind scents that feel as kaleidoscopic as their personalities. The sweeping societal desire to appear effortless emerged in the early 2020s. It was the antithesis of the meticulous effort we’re now seeing humans stylistically embrace. People are realizing—or maybe remembering—that putting effort into how they look makes them feel happy and confident. In my humble opinion, it’s about time we ditched the individuality-sucking aesthetic that not only left all of us looking identical but also feeling emotionally empty. 

As cosmetic trends became muted and nonchalant, people also stopped putting effort into every other part of their lives—from dating and work, to family, hobbies, and even their health. We slowly turned into walking shells of who we once were. Is AI to blame? Partially, but the shift can be traced back to 2020, before AI went en masse. Unsurprisingly, the retreat into a blasé lifestyle began during the pandemic. “The pandemic was a big turning point for many people,” says Dr. Sanam Hafeez, Ph.D., a New York–based neuropsychologist and director of Comprehend the Mind. “Being stuck at home made it easy to slow down and focus only on what felt safe or comfortable.” Cushy habits like couch rotting, endless scrolling, and drinking a few glasses of wine became a part of the everyday routine—at least they did for me. 

Even as we returned to semi-normalcy in the years following 2020, that lack of effort amplified and bled into relationships. Skipping out on social events became acceptable for the sake of “protecting our peace.” Intentional dating was replaced with mindless swiping and dull text conversations that inevitably fizzled. Friendships faded because we stopped checking in on each other. We might not have recognized it at the time, but we were living in an effortless hell of our own creation. Effort, as we once knew it, was close to extinction. We lost the plot in life, and it wasn’t until we felt collectively stuck, stagnant, and seriously depressed that we acknowledged something had to give. “After years of doing less, people want to feel accomplished and see real results in their lives again,” says Dr. Hafeez. “This means having in-person social connections, getting back into hobbies, dating in real-life, and working on personal goals.” In other words, putting in effort.

AI and the expansion of social media were the final straws that led to this poignant cultural yearning for more effort. Millennials and elder Gen Zs wish to rewind to the good old days before the digital age. Even Gen Alpha, who has never lived without the internet, struggles with screen fatigue and searches for ways to be offline. We’ve become so addicted to the algorithm that there are now physical app blockers—I’m looking at Brick—that force us to get off our phones. Because of this, it’s not surprising that analog hobbies, like reading, cooking, journaling, embroidery, and more, are experiencing a resurgence and no doubt will continue to pick up steam. These activities require a conscious effort to focus on the current moment, and people are finally registering that disconnecting makes life feel fuller and more meaningful.

Still, regardless of whether you are consciously trying to find a new hobby, date with intention, or be more present in your friendships, the biggest hurdle is actually committing to the initial effort. Dr. Hafeez urges to push through the apprehension and says small changes lead to major benefits. “When we start putting effort into things we love, the nervous system helps coordinate our focus and motivation,” she explains. “The brain responds by releasing dopamine and other ‘feel-good’ chemicals, which make the activity enjoyable. This creates a positive feedback loop, so we want to keep doing it. Effort also increases mental energy and attention, helping us stay engaged longer.”

Essentially, just a teensy amount of effort creates a ripple effect that trickles into other areas of your life. I can attest to this. I used to have the tendency to doomscroll and catastrophize, so in an effort to focus on the good things in my life, I began writing daily gratitude lists. Recording the pockets of joy I experience doesn’t require much energy, and yet it has had a resounding positive influence that has improved my overall well-being and mood. This small practice has led to other spurts of effort, like sending heartfelt texts and voice memos to friends, making a point to tell colleagues and family members I’m proud of them, and going up to strangers to compliment their outfits.

Where effort goes, energy flows, Dr. Hafeez confirms. “It helps you gain skills and confidence by actively working to improve rather than just hoping for outcomes,” she says. “Putting in energy strengthens relationships because others notice when you show up for them. It turns daily tasks into habits, making larger goals more achievable over time. Effort invests in your work, hobbies, and personal growth, leading to a more meaningful and rewarding life. In the end, effort provides a sense of purpose that shortcuts or minimal output can’t.”

Knowing all this, I hope putting in effort never goes out of style.