The Loss of Individuality: How Technology and Fashion Trends Have Altered Our Sense of Self
The Golden Age of Individuality: Growing Up Before 1999
Growing up on the west coast, I remember a world of ocean waves, surfboards, and a fashion scene that was as vibrant as it was diverse. Those years before 1999 were some of the best. People were semi-innocent, expressive, and confident in their own unique styles. Fashion was a playground for individuality, a celebration of subcultures: punk rock, surfer hair, and street hustle were embraced, each style telling a personal story rather than following a dictated trend.
Life Before Cell Phones
A colorful community full of self expression and community engagement with limited distractions.
From Unique to Uniform: How Fashion Trends Are Losing Their Originality
Back then, women might have taken inspiration from one another, but it was never to the extent of replication that we see today. As machines progressed, so did our tendency to lean on them, taking a back seat while technology drove us into the future. Fast forward, and AI is evolving, while humans, ironically, are becoming more robotic, both in thought and fashion. In our pursuit of perfection, too many people have lost their own sense of identity. Do we even know what it means to be an individual anymore?
In recent years, we’ve seen a wave of imitation, especially among women. Lips, hair, and bodies are enhanced to resemble the same "ideal" image popularized on social media—a homogenized version that ignores each person’s unique beauty. The west coast was once a place where women took pride in being fully put together when they stepped out, presenting a style uniquely theirs. Today, there’s an unsettling uniformity: same hairstyles, same lip gloss, same everything, making people almost indistinguishable from one another.
Technology's Role in Shaping (and Stifling) Our Identity
Instead of magazines or the occasional television ad gently suggesting styles, we now have countless influencers and algorithms bombarding us with how we “should” look. It’s no longer about style but about achieving a narrowly defined appearance that’s trending online. People are so glued to their screens, scrolling endlessly through feeds, that they’re unaware of how deeply they’ve been influenced. We’re in an era where individuality is losing its value, and self-worth is determined by likes and follows.
The Mental Health Impact of Conformity and Social Comparison
The consequences are evident in our mental health. Social isolation, self-doubt, and insecurity are on the rise as people continuously compare themselves to filtered images on their phones. This constant chase for the “perfect” look has led to a widespread identity crisis, especially for the younger generation, who now grow up thinking they must look or act a certain way to be accepted. We’ve traded genuine social interaction for virtual validation, and it’s no surprise that many are left feeling lonelier and more emotionally unstable.
Imagine a world where each person felt empowered by their unique style, where embracing diversity in appearance and thought was celebrated rather than suppressed. If we could step back from the screens, stop the endless comparisons, and remember what it means to be truly ourselves, we might find that sense of confidence and contentment that has become so elusive. Let’s challenge ourselves to rediscover the beauty of originality and allow ourselves the freedom to be different. Only then can we create a world that honors and uplifts every individual, reminding us all that the most beautiful trend is authenticity.
Embracing Your Own Individuality: Simple Steps to Start
If you feel the pull of comparison and conformity, remember that there are small steps you can take to reconnect with yourself:
Limit Screen Time: Reducing time on social media can help minimize the urge to compare and remind you that there’s life beyond the screen. Set a daily limit or take breaks to stay grounded.
Explore Personal Style: Instead of following trends, experiment with what truly resonates with you—whether it’s in fashion, hobbies, or how you express yourself. Authenticity is about discovering what feels right for you.
Prioritize Face-to-Face Interactions: Make time for real-life connections. Engaging in conversations and activities in person can help reinforce a genuine sense of belonging and remind you of the beauty of diverse personalities and appearances.
Focus on Self-Acceptance: Embrace self-affirmations and practice gratitude for your unique qualities. Regularly reflecting on what makes you, you, can build resilience against external pressures to conform.
Create Media Boundaries: Cultivate a digital space that feels inspiring, not draining. Follow people and pages that encourage positive, diverse expressions of individuality, and unfollow those that create pressure to look or act a certain way.