It’s a new year, a new decade, and ultimately, a new you. What are new lifestyle trends that you should be aware of? What should your life look like to keep up with trends in 2020? A survey of the internet reveal these trends for 2020.
Food Trends
Mail-order meal kits — Blue Apron and Hello Fresh are among other companies that deliver all the ingredients and recipes you need to prepare tasty meals at home. But because of the expense, customers have found this new way of cooking food unattractive. Many supermarkets offer ready-made meals for less. And some say the kits contributed to their own downfall by helping users develop cooking skills, which then diminishes the need to go out to eat.
Food as medicine — Now that we know poor diet and lifestyle choices contribute to chronic illness, many people are looking to maintain health through good food choices. Say yes to nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains and no to processed foods, saturated fats and sugars.
Food swaps — Look for more healthy food swaps, like cauliflower for flour in pizza dough, more veggies than meats topping those pies and vegetable spirals taking the place of pasta.
Less plastic — Beginning Jan. 15, some Giant Eagle stores will no longer have plastic bags at registers, instead offering reusable bags for sale and charging 10 cents per paper bag, with the goal of eliminating single-use plastics by 2025. Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods are among grocery retailers making reductions in the use of plastic packaging of produce and other food items. Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags.
Home Trends
Classic Blue — Pantone Color Institute has named Classic Blue, “a shade reminiscent of the sky at dusk,” as the 2020 Color of the Year. The soothing shade offers “reassurance, confidence and connection that people may be searching for in an uncertain global milieu,” Pantone says.
Rustic aesthetic — Rustic is in for kitchenware, including wooden bowls and spoons, along with antique- or primitive-looking utensils and cutting boards.
Bold and bright colors — “Bold” is also on trend for bedding and wallpaper. Forget the neutrals, and think splashes of oversized, bright florals.
Plantlife — We’re officially over succulents and moving on to olive trees (real or artificial). Native to the dry Mediterranean climate, they’re somewhat neglect-tolerant and bring a sunny, seaside vibe to the home.
Social Trends
Gender neutrality — Probably more a societal shift than a trend, this one has been gaining in prominence for some time, from the use of “they/them” pronouns to gender-neutral names, clothing and parenting styles.
Body positivity — A reaction to online body-shaming, it encourages people to be comfortable in their own skin, no matter its size, shape, color or age. Plus-size singer/songwriter Lizzo has become an icon for some with her fearless fashion choices and message of confidence and self-acceptance.
Shared housing — It’s an economic necessity for many 20- and 30-somethings, especially in cities like New York and San Francisco with astronomical housing costs, but it’s also becoming a choice for older singles who have no interest in regimented, segregated senior-living communities.
Positive social media — Enough already with the Trumpian Twitter wars — let’s all post more feel-good, inspirational messages and photos in 2020. Brandwatch says that, as of December 2019, there were 3.725 billion active social media users around the world. That’s a lot of opportunities to make someone’s day a little brighter.
Travel Trends
Northern Lights tourism — Increasingly, the eerie-but-magnificent light display of the aurora borealis is drawing tourists to the far northern reaches of Alaska, Canada, Iceland, Scandinavia and Finland. The darker the night sky, the easier it is to see the lights, making winter the best time to go.
Second-city travel — Instead of a pricey, overcrowded tourist destination, try a city less traveled. Feel like an explorer as you discover restaurants, cultural gems and vistas off the beaten path. Travel website Quartz suggests Utrecht instead of Amsterdam, Belfast instead of Dublin, Marseilles instead of Paris and Osaka instead of Toyko — and Cleveland instead of New York City.
Mini-vacations — If you don’t have the free time or the cash to go for a week, go for two or three days. Some experts suggest that a short break has the same stress-relief benefits of a longer vacation. In a time when so many people are tied to their jobs almost 24/7, a mini-trip is often the way to go.
Minimalism — How much do you really need for a week at the beach, or anywhere else? What didn’t you use on your last trip? Can you do laundry at your destination? Buy a smaller bag. Create a single-palette, mix-and-match travel wardrobe. Reduce toiletries, makeup and accessories.
Opinions expressed by AsianBlurb contributors are their own.
