Okay real talk — TikTok trends are literally running my life in 2026 and I’m not even exaggerating anymore. I’m sitting here in Faridabad at like 5:30 pm, room smells like Maggi and regret, fan making that annoying clicky noise, and my FYP is just nonstop “lock in” edits and 2016 throwbacks. I swear the algorithm knows I’m unemployed and emotionally unstable because it keeps feeding me motivation content I will never live up to.
These TikTok trends right now? They hit different. Some are cute, some are savage, most make me feel like a failure in 4K. But I can’t look away. Here’s the ones I’ve been obsessed with (and mostly bombing at).
The 2016 Nostalgia TikTok Trend Is Healing & Destroying Me
Everyone’s doing the 2016 filter + old selfies + “remember when we didn’t have to pay bills like this” captions. I dug up a pic from when I was 19, side fringe, skinny jeans, peace sign, the works. Posted it last week thinking “haha ironic” and then cried in the shower because damn I really peaked in 2016.
The comments were so nice though?? People trauma dumping about their first iPhone 6s and how Vine died. It’s weirdly comforting. Like we’re all collectively mourning our pre-adult brains together.
I tried doing the full 2016 dance recreation in my tiny room. Knocked over my lamp. 8 views. One comment said “bro is fighting for his life”. Fair.
“26 Goals for 2026” Trend — I Lasted 4 Days
This one is popular as hell. You’re supposed to write 26 things you wanna achieve this year. Some people do cute monthly themes. I started mine like:
- Wake up before 11
- Stop doomscrolling at 3 a.m.
- Actually finish one web series without dropping it
…
By number 14 I wrote “become the person my mom thinks I am when she brags to aunties”. Posted the video anyway. Got 47 likes and 12 people in comments saying “same bro”. Felt less alone.
Pro tip: don’t post your list if half of it is “stop being broke”. People will clown you. I learned that the hard way.
Small Wins Flex “I Got Like Hella Money” Is My New Personality
This sound is so stupid and I love it. You act like you just won 10 crore and then reveal it was ₹120 cashback from Zomato. I did one about getting ₹47 refund from Myntra and posed like I was in Dubai. Zero shame.
It’s the only TikTok trend that makes me feel rich for 7 seconds. Highly recommend if you’re also broke in 2026.
Reality Lock-In Era — I Tried It and Immediately Gave Up
TikTok decided delulu is not the solulu anymore. Now it’s all about 5 a.m. clubs, cold showers, journaling, protein shakes, “locking in”. I set my alarm for 5:30 once. Woke up, stared at ceiling, thought “why am I like this”, went back to sleep till 1 pm.
But I’ve been stealing the little hacks — putting phone in another room, drinking water first thing, writing three things I’m grateful for (usually “I’m not dead”, “Maggi exists”, “internet still working”). Small stuff. It’s helping a tiny bit. Don’t tell the algorithm I’m half-assing it.
Anyway I’m rambling now.
Point is — these TikTok trends are everywhere in 2026 and if you’re not at least trying one you’re basically invisible. I hate it. I love it. I’m addicted. Send help.
Which one are you doing (or failing at) rn? Drop it below I wanna feel less alone in my chaos 😭
Also if you want the actual good intel go read TikTok’s Next 2026 thing here: https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/introducing-tiktok-next-2026-our-trend-forecast-for-marketers-for-the-year-ahead
And this article about the 2016 comeback made me feel attacked: https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2026/01/15/tiktoks-2016-is-the-new-2026-trend-explained/
