My journey to find out why everyone on the internet is suddenly “very reserved”

Hi. You may know me, but if you’re new here, I’m Kayla.

I’m hilarious. There is one caveat, though: you have to have a special sense of humor to understand me. Think dry, deadpan, sarcasm without emphasis.

I’m online all the time, too. But no matter how much time I spend scouring the corners of the internet, there’s still a lot I don’t understand. Including the sudden influx of people, situations, and actions that are suddenly very (or not) real. reserved. I really need to be more careful.

Why is the internet suddenly obsessed with being “very low key and very mindful”? My first reaction is that it’s fun, it’s catchy, and everyone loves satire.

What does reserved mean?

Here is the definition: Demure (adjective) – defined as “reserved, modest and shy (usually applied to women)”.

Example: “a modest young lady”

Are we using the exact definition of demure in this trend? Absolutely not. Instead, we’re being cute.

Where does the trend come from?

The trend seems to have originated from a TikTok video posted by @joolieannie At the beginning of August. In the video she says: “See how I put on make-up for work? Very reserved, very careful.”

@joolieannie explains the cautious Trend in this video. She said the videos were obviously a joke to her. “Every low-key video is just a dig at me. That’s the whole joke. But people say, ‘Maybe we shouldn’t judge people by how they get to work?’ I’m just judging myself.”

The videos went viral, and suddenly the internet was flooded with people being “modest” and “mindful.” On TikTok, people were mimicking the original video, quoting it, or making comments about how modest things are (or aren’t).

But do I really need to explain how memes work? That wouldn’t be very mindful. Basically, it boils down to people on the internet doing what they always do.

We’ll be “low key” and “attention” until we’re all sick of hearing/reading/seeing it, and then the next trend will come through and we’ll share that one. Personally, I’ll probably keep using “low key” and “attention” a little longer than is socially appropriate.

Then the cycle will repeat itself. Memes will continue to be made and people on the internet will continue to be sarcastic and funny. Will I ever really fully understand why someone does something? No. But if we zoom out far enough, we’re all just specks of dust hurtling through the vastness of space.

We might as well have fun while we’re here.