It started with a challenge.
One moment, Mariana Barutkina, just weeks after giving birth, is balancing on a canister in stilettos. A stunt that felt more about the algorithm than self-expression. The next, a fractured spine, a hospital bed, and three months of recovery.
All for a video. All for a trend.
We have seen it before. Something goes viral and suddenly it is everywhere. It picks up fast and quietly. Before you know it, even things you never cared about start to feel urgent. Like you are missing out if you do not join in.
But not everything trending is worth trending.
When Trends Uplift
Some trends are lighthearted. They bring people together, spark creativity, and make us smile. The kind that get you moving, laughing, or trying something new, even just for a moment. Those have their place.
Some trends go further and carry meaning. They do not just entertain, they uplift. They remind us of the power of movement, culture, and community.
When Trends Cross the Line
And then there are the others. The ones that leave you asking why, or worse, at what cost.
Some trends chase shock value or stunts. The line between creative and dangerous blurs. Like when people licked toilet seats during the pandemic. Or when challenges push people to the edge physically or mentally for a few seconds of attention.
Mariana Barutkina’s fall is not the first and will not be the last. It is a clear reminder that some things are not worth it.
Choosing What Feels Right
This is not about judgment. The pull is real. We have all been swept up in the momentum. Sometimes it is harmless. Sometimes it is not.
It is a reminder, for ourselves too, to pause before we hit post, follow, or film. Is this trend bringing something real into your life? Or is it only urgent in the moment? Sometimes stepping back is the better move.
Some things are worth repeating. Some should pass through.
When the next trend appears, pause. Ask yourself if it is for you, or just for now. Not every moment needs to be captured and not every trend needs your attention.
At The Alternative Option, we create with intention. No noise. No gimmicks. Just what feels true to us, not because it is trending, but because it matters. That is the spirit behind the Flock Collection. A quiet way of saying that not everything trending is worth following.
0 comments