Introduction
Open any social media network for a moment or two, and you will certainly find posts full of aesthetic vibes – be it coffee next to a book, perfect lighting, colorful clothes, or even the interior of a common bedroom. It all started with the term itself, which originally meant something beautifully artistic. However, on the Internet, it got interpreted much wider and can now generally refer to any particular vibe – the way one dresses or styles their room, photographs, video content, and even a lifestyle.
When an Ordinary Day Becomes Content
The Internet and social media, in particular, have given ordinary things extraordinary popularity. Not only does having coffee become an experience, but it also needs to be captured on camera. Same goes for a large part of our everyday life ritual we unconsciously perform, such as studying. We take photos of our diaries, books, and the cozy corner where we usually study. We put them in a neat composition along with a laptop and a goodlooking mug of our favorite size and color – and do not forget about the perfect lighting. Again, this does not necessarily mean that people are insincere or do not enjoy what they do. On the contrary, creating an aesthetic around everyday activities often makes us experience them more intensely and thoroughly. However, the social media aspect of the Internet also brought a cult of “aesthetic vibes” and allowed people to compare their lives with others’. This is where the problem often starts, as what people see on others’ posts does not always have a realistic reflection in their own lives.
Creating Internet Communities Around Everyday Vibes
On the other hand, the concept of aesthetics plays an essential role in building online communities. For example, there are social media platforms in which people can share content related to a certain topic, such as vintage clothes. There are also communities regarding their interests, such as book lovers’ aesthetics of dark libraries. Many people enjoy expressing themselves through colors, minimalism, bright clothes, old-style imagery, bohemian landscapes – the list can be endless. Moreover, aesthetics often means a lot more than an arrangement of a room or the color of one’s clothing. Sometimes, people choose what music to listen to, which hobbies to pursue, where to travel, and even what personality type one should strive to be like in order to match their ideals.
Constant Inspiration and Healthy Comparison
If one finds it hard to capture the good vibes on camera or put their daily routine into a beautiful composition, this can already be a problem. It is not a secret that social media only show others the best parts of people’s lives. What others post online is usually a wellcrafted story with hours of editing, while the rest of their routine is much less glamorous and not as captivating.
Hence, the beauty of everyday life may be underappreciated due to constant comparison with the perfect images and videos one sees on the Internet.
Aesthetics as a Way of Shopping
Internet aesthetics also feature a close relationship with consumer behavior. Almost for every popular vibe, there is now an audience of people who shop for the same goods and follow the same accounts. Moreover, this usually involves various types of merchandise. Hence, one can choose between clothes, accessories, housekeeping items, and even technologies that match the desired aesthetic concept. In many cases, companies actively promote certain ideas by collaborating with popular social media personalities. As a consequence, a large-scale commercial campaign may emerge and lead to even more customer loyalty.
The Beauty of Internet Aesthetics: Why Do We Need Them?
Ultimately, the most important quality of Internet aesthetics is that they allow us to identify with a certain concept, community, or idea. With so many social media platforms, information, and unique personalities, the Internet often makes people feel overwhelmed and lost among various posts. Therefore, choosing a specific vibe and following it can be an easy way to support one’s self-esteem by finding others like them. Moreover, the aspect of creating an aesthetic around oneself can be very therapeutic. Picking certain colors and decorating a room, taking photos in the favorite clothes or listening to a particular music play an important role in emotional release and creative expression. Many younger generations have confessed that their favorite way to express themselves is by finding the most comfortable aesthetic to follow, not necessarily changing it over time.
Conclusion
Overall, the Internet’s obsession with aesthetics means different things to different people. Social media brought us not only beautiful images and videos but also constant inspiration, motivation, and even a healthy competition. Internet aesthetics make people create new content, build communities around the most beloved topics, and sometimes compete for customers.
However, despite the vast opportunities for self-promotion and improvement, we still should value the beauty of the simple things. After all, the most authentic content often comes from unplanned moments of our everyday life.
