Do you remember the absolute thrill as the clocks stuck midnight and the fireworks shot off as the much-anticipated 2020 arrived? There was so much thrill and hope for this decade that was doomed from the get-go due to the covid pandemic. Looking back the 2010s in comparison seem a time of free spiritedness, good pop hits and the only pandemics being those surrounding celebrity gossip headlines. So, what did make the 2010s era so free spirited, and can we revive it?
It was also the beginning of the body positivity movement, that has seen a decline in recent years...
The 2010s consisted of Beliebers, 1D fans and the rise of the hit sitcom Modern Family, it was an era of comfortability and dance hits made there way into the headlines. It was also the beginning of the body positivity movement, that has seen a decline in recent years due to Ozempic and much-loved influencers losing weight at rapid pace. By 2010 hashtags on social media such as #bodypositivity and #Effyourbeautystandards trended creating a global phenomenon of people rising together to fight against long lasting damaging ideals of figures. Remember Megan Trainor’s ‘It’s all about that bass’, advocating for curvy females in 2014, now she has admitted taking a weight loss drug. Even inspirational female athletes such as Serena Williams have promoted Ozempic despite their bodies being healthy and strong. This is just one of the backwards steps the turn of the decade introduced, which has sadly led to an increase in mental health issues especially in younger people.
Another factor of the 2010s was the rise of social media... with everyday people trending online for realistic content...
Another factor of the 2010s was the rise of social media, this introduced new celebrities with everyday people trending online for realistic content, such as the youtubers Emma Chamberlain and Joe Sugg. This brought a whole new meaning to fame and led to many feeling optimistic about the job market as creative freelancing seemed to make some a hefty income.
...the 2010s also brought to light climate struggles, there were economic crises and even political upheavals, which show that no decade is really without its faults.
Social media and body positivity as well as pop legends and hit shows and movies coming out seem to symbolise a period of gaiety and free spiritedness, however arguably this is just an optimists view in retrospect. Yes, Lady Gaga released some absolute bangers and the Marvel saga delivered some of the best movies, but the 2010s also brought to light climate struggles, there were economic crises and even political upheavals, which show that no decade is really without its faults.