LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — “New year, new me” is the typical saying for every new year we enter. Somehow, this old famous saying seems to be the opposite for 2026, bringing back trends from decades ago, for a chance to refresh.

This year, pop culture trends are returning from the 2010s, along with the creative and nostalgic energy. A decade later, 2026 offers another chance to reboot and refresh from the toxicity brought by social media and unhealthy habits built over the decade. 

This popular sentiment, mostly seen on social media platforms, arises from Gen Z reflecting on a past culture, longing for a more optimistic aesthetic, along with bringing back trends such as fashion and music from a decade ago. While some believe we should move on and away from this era, others are yearning for a return to the peace and spirit of this time period.

“Physical media seems more interesting than the advanced technology we have now. We are moving too fast into the future and want to stay in the comfort of nostalgia,” said Los Alamitos High School sophomore Kaylyn Kekacs.

A trend that has been recently popular is physical media over online media. For many years, physical media such as CDs, vinyls and magazines were declining with the rise of instant media such as online streaming and news. Craving a break from all these overwhelming platforms, people have begun to reach for something slower.

“Students spent more time reading books in 2016, and now students spend more time on their phones. They’re reading on their phones, but not to the depth they were in 2016,” said Mrs. Jewel, LAHS media center assistant.

Technology has been a worldwide life-changing invention that allows people to connect from across the world. But lately, it has been controversial whether we have gone too far. Social media has been known to be detrimental to the mental health of students, especially among Gen Z, which is why many may want to bring back the innocence of social media before it got to this point. 

“I think everyone in our society is bombarded by social media, which can be toxic, but the people are not toxic,” said LAHS junior Sophie Long.

Another major returning trend from 2016 is fashion. If fashion is your passion, you’ve probably discovered the booming fashion trends of 2016. These clothing choices have made their way back into 2026, and in many people’s opinions, rightfully so. Tour merchandise, for example, has expanded beyond just concert venues and has become an everyday fashion decision. Rising in popularity in the 2010s, celebrities like Kanye West, Justin Bieber and Kim Kardashian have decided to produce their own merchandise to broaden their audience.

A phenomenal amount of change has occurred just in the last decade, including fashion, media, trends and overall way of living for new generations. In 2026, the opportunity to live in the moment is reopened, a chance to refresh returns.