Why These Ridiculous Trends Somehow Stuck Around — And Honestly, I’m Here For It

Hey friends! Let’s take a minute to celebrate the weird, wonderful, and downright hilarious trends that refuse to quit. You know the ones — the trends that make you scratch your head, laugh out loud, and then somehow end up everywhere anyway. I mean, what is it about silly fads that just won’t die?

Let me tell you about a few of my favorite ridiculous trends that actually made a lasting impression — with a few embarrassing stories thrown in because, well, what’s life without a little cringe?

Fidget Spinners — The Office Weapon of Choice

Remember when fidget spinners took over the world? Everyone from your 8-year-old niece to your grandpa suddenly had one glued to their fingers. I bought one hoping it would help me focus during Zoom calls — spoiler alert: it didn’t. Instead, it became a lethal projectile. One day, I was mid-spin flexing to my coworkers (because why not), and the spinner flew off my desk and right into my boss’s coffee cup. Instant espresso remix. She was not amused, but honestly, neither was I — mostly because my “focus tool” became a distraction for the whole office.

Despite the chaos, the fidget spinner craze stuck around longer than I expected — showing up in desks, pockets, and TikTok videos where people try to do “tricks” that usually end with a dropped spinner and a laugh.

Man Buns — Because Sometimes You Just Wanna Look Like a Hipster Viking

Okay, real talk: the man bun was everywhere for a minute, and I dabbled. My cousin swore it made him look like a modern-day Viking. I just thought it made him look like he forgot to take his hair out of his jacket zipper — which, spoiler, he did on the subway once. The resulting struggle to free his hair was one of those moments where you want to help but also can’t stop laughing.

Love it or hate it, the man bun sparked endless jokes and debates. And honestly, I admire the confidence it takes to rock that look in public without second-guessing.

Avocado Toast — The $15 Meal That’s Basically a Lifestyle

I swear, avocado toast is the unofficial anthem of millennial brunch. Watching someone Instagram their avocado toast is like watching a National Geographic documentary on “How to Make Breakfast Look Like Art.” I once saw a friend spend 15 minutes arranging edible flowers and feta cheese on her toast — and then blow on it for another five minutes to “cool it down” before snapping a photo. Talk about dedication!

Sure, it’s just smashed avocado on bread, but somehow it became a cultural phenomenon, complete with hashtags, memes, and entire cafes dedicated to this green toast glory. And yes, it’s still delicious — and hilarious.

The Ice Bucket Challenge — Soaked, Shook, and Seriously Viral

Who can forget the Ice Bucket Challenge? One summer, everyone and their grandma was dumping freezing cold water over their heads for charity. My neighbor tried it once but accidentally drenched their cat instead. The cat was not pleased, and frankly, neither was the neighbor after the claw marks appeared.

Watching people from CEOs to random YouTubers get soaked was pure comedy gold. It wasn’t just a trend — it was a reminder that sometimes the best way to get people involved is to make them look silly… and chilly.

TikTok Dance Challenges — The Ultimate Test of Coordination

And then there are the TikTok dances. You know, those ridiculously catchy moves that everyone tries to master but most of us look like we’re having a mild seizure trying. My aunt gave the Renegade a shot once and ended up inventing her own signature move: the accidental spin-and-fall. Classic.

What makes these dances so funny is how seriously people take themselves while doing moves that basically look like “wave your arms around like you’re shooing a fly.” Bonus points for dads who attempt the dances and nearly take out the furniture in the process.

So yeah, these trends are silly, awkward, and sometimes downright ridiculous — but that’s why we love them. They make us laugh, they bring us together, and they remind us not to take life too seriously.

What’s your favorite ridiculous trend you secretly (or not so secretly) loved? I’m ready for your stories — spill the tea in the comments!