There was a time when doing certain things made people feel like they had their lives together. But fast-forward a bit and…yikes. Those same things come across as a little forced or just a little dated. Whether that’s because the culture or our view of success changed, some flexes are better left in 2015. Here are ten lifestyle flexes that are cringe now. What did you used to brag about that makes you laugh now?
Featured Image Credit: IgorVetushko /Depositphotos.com.
Owning a Keurig With Every Pod Flavor
Many people used to think that stocking up on caramel drizzle & French vanilla made them true adults, and they felt proud every time they spun that little carousel in their kitchen. But nowadays, people prefer pour-overs or just iced coffee from the fridge. Keurigs feel outdated, and the truth is, they never really improved the flavor, either. Keurig drinks always had that weird plasticky aftertaste. Nobody’s impressed by your rainbow pod rack anymore.
Telling People You Don’t Watch TV
We’ve all met someone at a party who says something like, “Oh, I don’t even own a TV” and acts like that’s an achievement. Really, though, it just seems like you’re being pretentious and trying to avoid the bond people feel from talking about shows. You’re not above it, and avoiding TV doesn’t make you mysterious. Instead, it just makes it harder for anyone to relate to you. And nine times out of ten, people watch hours of YouTube or Instagram Reels, just not calling it “TV.”
Bragging About How Little You Sleep
Saying something like, “I only got three hours of sleep” was once seen as a badge of honor, and people acted like sleep was optional if you really cared about hustling. Yet these days, we recognize that running on fumes isn’t cool and is more worrying than anything. Most of those people ended up burned out and wired on caffeine. You’re not more productive if your brain feels sluggish, and it’s much better for you to just take a nap.
Saying You’re ‘Too Busy For Lunch’ Every Day
Likewise, people used to brag about “forgetting to eat” because they were so busy, which used to signal that they were successful. Now, it sounds like someone who’s just overworked themselves, especially since skipping meals is no longer a flex. It’s just a guarantee for crankiness and binge-eating later on. Just eat your sandwich and move on because nobody admires you for avoiding your basic needs.
Posting Screenshots of Your Calendar
But that’s not all, as people used to post those booked-out calendar screenshots with captions like “grind mode,” showing how they had every hour double-booked. However, the truth is that this just feels more like proof you need a break because nobody wants to see your calendar anymore. They’re too busy avoiding their own to look at how much work you supposedly have to do.
Showing Off Your Giant Home Speaker System
Back in the day, having a whole entertainment setup, with surround sound & big subwoofers, meant you were serious about relaxing. It’s not the same anymore. You can get the same sound from a $99 Bluetooth speaker, and it doesn’t take up half the room, which is one of the reasons that giant speakers feel like dad-tech now. Your living room shouldn’t be full of wires and random items.
Driving a Tesla to Show You Could Afford One
There was once a time when people bought Teslas as a kind of performance because they wanted to show off how much money they had and how much they cared about the environment. That same energy feels tired now because Teslas are everywhere, and nobody cares that your door handles retract anymore. The dashboard screen doesn’t make you an innovator, and it’s just another car now. Half the neighborhood has the same one anyway.
Paying for Everything With Crypto
In 2021, there was always that one person who insisted on paying in crypto, even when it made no sense, like buying tacos with Ethereum just so they could say they did it. They made content out of using crypto until the value tanked, and the tweets stopped. The people who used to say “Do your own research” now say, “I don’t check it anymore” because they’ve lost the prestige they once thought they had.
Announcing You’re Platinum On an Airline
Anyone who spoke about being “Platinum with American” never did so by accident, as it was meant to say, “I travel a lot. I’m not like you.” These days, we don’t tend to see it in the same way because getting elite status just means you’ve spent too many nights eating airport chicken caesar wraps and boarding planes at 6:45 AM. You’re not better than anyone because we all know that you’re probably just exhausted.
Saying You Only Shop Organic at Whole Foods
Saying you shop exclusively at Whole Foods was once a personality trait, and people mentioned it in casual conversations or posted captions with reusable tote bags. They acted like it gave them the moral high ground because they chose cage-free eggs, although it now sounds more like you enjoy overspending on blueberries. Nobody’s clapping for your $16 almond butter anymore, especially since the store has self-checkouts & Prime Day deals now.
What did you used to brag about that makes you laugh now?
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
Like our content? Be sure to follow us.
Read More:
