When usual routines and plans were halted in March 2020 due to lockdowns, everyone was limited to the confines of their homes and screens. Popularized across different platforms, trends took the internet by storm in a “new normal” fashion. Let’s recount the trends that kept us occupied, entertained, and updated.

Entertainment and escapism

From March to May, we saw a rise in homemade baristas, bakers and fashion designers. Instagram feeds were filled with the dreamy four-ingredient beverage dalgona coffee; crispy yet fluffy sourdough bread; upcycled clothing by fashion enthusiasts and creatives; and games, such as bingo cards by schools and organizations.

On the side, art and music became strong sources for escape, humor, and creativity. Netizens and creatives went sharing redesigns for iconic brands and packaging, including the cult-favorite Lucky Me! Pancit Canton. Various memes of Manila Bay’s dolomite beach and the government’s COVID-19 response were also made as a satirical way to poke fun at current affairs. P-pop boyband SB19 released their first studio album, Get in the Zone in July. In August, IV of Spades’ frontman and bassist Zild Benitez released his debut solo album, Homework Machine, which was written and produced entirely during quarantine. Meanwhile, fan-favorite indie/alt band She’s Only Sixteen released their highly-anticipated The Other Side EP in November, becoming the band’s first fully self-produced record.

As for international acts, legendary pop star Lady Gaga revisited her dance pop roots and achieved her sixth No. 1 album with Chromatica; while Taylor Swift surprised everyone with a more indie folk sound, dropping both Folklore and Evermore without heavy promotion.

For Spotify listeners, “Spotify Wrapped” gave personalized breakdowns of their listening habits in 2020. Just in time for the holidays, users got to reminisce on the music that kept them company in this year of uncertainties.

Lifestyle going digital

Many have switched to apps for work or leisure. One of the quarantine’s defining apps is Zoom, which has been a means of remotely continuing day-to-day life. Its audio and video quality, customizable meeting settings and ability to host hundreds of participants made it a benchmark for virtual meetings of companies, schools and casual users alike.

Another app that skyrocketed throughout the pandemic is Tiktok, with its gold mine of creative content, and one-minute time limit to keep the audiences’ hooked. Its video editing tools and features have also made the path to content creation more accessible than ever.

Netflix and other similar streaming platforms brought friends together with third-party apps like the newly rebranded Teleparty. Formerly known as Netflix Party, the app allows users to stream films and shows with friends.

One of Netflix’s most-watched romcoms eased the viewers’ travel itch, starring actress Lily Collins, in “Emily in Paris.” Meanwhile, the first season of “Bridgerton'' allowed audiences to travel into the world of Regency London which received critical acclaim and an estimated 63 million views on the week of its release. “The VVitch” and Split actress Anya Taylor-Joy played Beth Harmon in the series “The Queen’s Gambit” which piqued many viewers’ interest in playing chess. Crime/adventure film “Enola Holmes,” featuring “Stranger Things” star Milly Bobby Brown garnered 9.63 million plays, while star-studded psychological thriller The Devil All The Time served heavy themes and ideologies, to be contemplated long after the credits rolled.

Meanwhile, games like “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” reinforced the saying that no man is an island and, despite the distance, we can still enjoy the great outdoors with loved ones virtually. While the social deduction game “Among Us” caused players to practice strategy and develop some “trust issues” amidst healthy competition among friends and loved ones.

Despite different gameplays, these games created the feeling of social interaction and connection despite isolation in what we can say was a pretty dreadful year.

More than simple pastimes

Each trend is impactful in its own way. More than keeping us occupied, these helped us adapt through the internet and take on opportunities for businesses and connections, even across the world, in spite of constant isolation.

The world is constantly evolving, humans along with it, and so will the things that keep us entertained, comforted, and updated. As we continue adjusting to living remotely, there are various ways to stay connected and perhaps more to come; the process does not have to be a lonely one.

This article is also published in The Benildean Volume 7 Issue No. 1: Confined

Articles by Rachel Herbosa

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