FERAL GIRL SUMMER Feral Girl Summer is a TikTok trend with over 125 million views. The world feral doesn’t normally bring up positive connotations but it has been reimagined - this is about not caring so much. It’s a backlash to polished perfection, clean living and ‘Hot Girl Summer’ vibes, it embraces fun, freedom and chaotic energy. The creator of the trend and video that started this whole discourse calls out to her followers "I am feeling some f***ing chaotic energy, I think we all deserve it…life is supposed to be fun. I want so see you all thriving, having the time of your life and, most importantly, running around like feral rats." “Basically, it’s living your best life without giving an iota of thought to the notion of propriety or self-care, a way to make up for lost time during the stultifying days of the pandemic, and a refreshing perspective in an age where picture-perfect green juices and Pilates routines are taking over our FYPs [for you pages].” Rolling Stone It’s coming to life mainly in meme format and on TikTok, but you see other versions of anti-conformity culture reflected in mainstream Gen Z behaviours and digital creation. For example, the 0.5 selfie trend on Instagram. These are selfies taken with an ultra-wide-angle lens - the opposite of the perfect symmetrical filter, they are just whimsical and wacky looking. Why? It makes the creation process and the result more fun and carefree (similar to the focus of new apps like BeReal). |