In recent times, social media has seen a wave of nostalgia as individuals, particularly from Gen Z, are sharing and celebrating memories from the year 2016. Photos and discussions about the trends in music and makeup from a decade ago have sparked a renewed interest in the sentiments associated with that year. Some are reflecting fondly, while others have a more critical take on what that year represented.
Haben Kelati, an assistant editor in The Post’s advice section, admits to having positive feelings about 2016, recalling vibrant memories and popular trends like the all-matte makeup look, pronounced eyebrows, and the evolution of skinny jeans into more comfortable styles. For her, the pop music scene was at its peak, contributing to her fondness for this time.
Conversely, Shane O’Neill, a millennial who writes the Seriously? newsletter, shares a more cynical view, shaped by the overwhelming news cycle of chaos that defined that year. He remembers starting his first job at a newspaper and perceives 2016 as the beginning of a new, anxiety-ridden baseline that has persisted into the present day. Both Kelati and O’Neill found common ground in their discussions, recognizing that while the year carried anxiety, it also marked a unique moment when political tensions were just beginning to surge, creating a bittersweet nostalgia.
The duo also explored the lasting impact of 2016 on younger generations, particularly how the COVID-19 pandemic altered perceptions of time, making a decade seem both distant and recent. They speculated on whether 2016 was the last year with a distinct aesthetic, in contrast to today’s rapidly changing fashion trends. Kelati reminisced about the popularity of chokers, oversized blazers, and Yeezy fashion, while O’Neill reflected on the early days of algorithmic social media, where information was less personalized than it is now.
As they continued their conversation, both expressed a longing for the sense of hope that characterized conversations during that time, which feels largely absent in today’s discourse. Kelati highlighted her desire to reclaim that hopeful background, while O’Neill expressed regret over the media’s disconnect with reality during pivotal events, particularly the 2016 presidential election and its aftermath.
In rekindling discussions around 2016, both Kelati and O’Neill remind us of the complexity of human experiences; that it is possible to simultaneously hold fond memories while grappling with the darker aspects of reality. Their exchange serves as a poignant reflection on nostalgia, the cycles of culture, and the lessons we can learn from examining the past with both love and critical awareness.