If you’ve spent some time scrolling on places like YouTube or Instagram, chances are you’ve probably heard people label things as being “aesthetic”. Or maybe you’ve seen trends going around like “cottagecore” or “coquette aesthetic.” But what do all of these terms mean?
Aesthetics are, in simple terms, very specific styles that follow a certain way to look. Whether it’s to look sweet and cute or like they’re about to start a revolution, people love to follow aesthetics because it helps them reflect who they are inside and connects them to other people who think the same way
what makes an aesthetic?
An aesthetic isn’t just about what’s on the outside - another important element of aesthetics is that they also embody things people love or values people can relate to. Some things to consider that can help you figure out your own personal aesthetic are:
- Your favorite colors
- Items or places you like
- Activities you enjoy / you’ve always wanted to do
- Ideas or values that are important to you
- People or characters that inspire you
- The type of person you aspire to be
But while it can be tempting to immediately jump into the first crowd that catches your eye (and there's no harm in doing so!) There’s also another, just as rewarding, path - which is to create your own aesthetic for yourself!
Just remember: there’s no such thing as a “bad” or “wrong” aesthetic. Worried that your aesthetic is too similar to others? You can always add a unique twist to make it all your own! Find that nobody else shares the same ideas as you? that just means you’re a one-of-a-kind pioneer! As long as it serves as a reflection of your most authentic self, you should be proud of it!
