What are the things that really matter to us? What should we stand up for? And how do we want to live our lives in the future? This year, Brands2Life Global partner Adel & Link‘s annual trend analysis seeks to find answers to these questions. Take a look at the below nine intriguing trends that shine bright!

#1: TL;DR

The goldfish is superior to us. At least in terms of its attention span: it stays focused for nine seconds, while we become distracted after eight. Back in 2000, we still managed to focus for 12 seconds – statistically speaking, our attention span is melting away. TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read) stands for today’s lifestyle; no time for lengthy content, text has to be short and to the point – or you might just forget about it.

#2: Rediscovery of Home

COVID-19 turned our homes upside down and shows us how we really want to live. Hobbies, leisure time, school and work moved into our homes overnight – forcing new living arrangements. The solution has been to rethink our homes. What was no longer available outside came inside, meaning the home no longer knows any boundaries. The ideal living situation is rapidly evolving and we are in the midst of it.

#3: Experience Extreme

After their umpteenth walk around the block, people are looking for new, extreme experiences. No wonder digital escapes have become so popular: AR and VR take us into other spheres and offer us unique experiences that we can enjoy from the comfort of our sofa, without endangering ourselves or others. Digital is the new normal and we want more of it: holograms, avatars, AR and VR – we’re ready!

#4: Generation Justice

Political correctness – the term is as divisive as the concepts it represents. But there is no denying the fact that the topic is omnipresent in today’s society. Already at an early age, the digital generation is learning to embrace differences. Social networks such as Instagram and TikTok introduce children and teens to people from all over the world at an early age. Education on different cultures, backgrounds and mindsets is going viral. And this is already evident in their circle of friends: colourful in all respects. The world is diverse and ever-changing – and more and more people are demanding justice for all.

#5: Companies as Activists

There is no planet B. Every item on the checkout line is a political statement and a building block of a future world. Companies have internalised what consumers want and are now becoming activists themselves. Whatever their motives may be, more and more companies are turning into activists – and Mother Nature is grateful.

#6: Planetary Diet

Saving the world one bite at a time? En vogue! After superfoods, protein bombs and meat substitutes, a new attitude towards food is emerging – what ends up in our stomachs has to be good for us and for the planet. The procurement radius of our food shrinks. The planetary diet is simple – we consume only what is good for the planet, we are part of a circular whole.

#7: Eco but Sexy

Sustainable products are finding their way into everyday life. And sometimes they’re so attractive that they end up in the shopping baskets of people who aren’t even looking for eco products. Whether it’s cleaning products, natural cosmetics or snacks – organic has never been so sexy. Sustainable products are no longer associated with hippies – they’re becoming new status symbols, conquering all areas of life.

#8: Private Everything

In the year of COVID-19, we rediscovered our privacy. Being cocooned at home makes us feel safe during volatile times. And what works at home is now increasingly becoming possible in public. The gastronomy and leisure sectors have reacted to this need and upgraded their equipment – whether it’s a restaurant, cinema or spa, we want it all to ourselves. And more and more offers are meeting this demand.

#9: Life in Quibits

Unprecedented computing power, speeds that take our breath away, and new possibilities that will change the internet, data exchange and all our lives – we are talking about quantum computers. These technological giants could lead to the next breakthrough in medical research. Will they also affect the way we think?

Hope you’ve enjoyed these nine predictions for trends this year. To find out more, get in touch.