‘Don’t you ever miss 2016?’: 24 Millennial Core Memes

María Cetra • Writer

Oct 5, 2026 1:15 PM EDT

2016, what a time to be alive!

It's funny how, on TikTok and other social media platforms, it has become a trend to do things like they were in 2016. Whether it's makeup, outfits, or listening to music —yes, people are using their iPods again for a different sound experience— it is a whole trend, and people seem to be loving it. But what exactly was 2016 like? Well, millennials were teenagers and young adults, so if you are younger than that, then you probably missed all the fun. It involved wearing outfits that included a blazer to go to a bar or a party. It meant statement necklaces and a sock bun made your whole outfit iconic. And it meant that social media wasn't something that important; yes, they used it, especially Instagram, but it was a place to show fun things. There was not a constant fear of looking dumb or cringey; those words meant nothing; the important thing was to have fun.

I may not be a millennial, and of course I make fun of them sometimes, especially with the moustache thing —I have to admit I wasn't completely immune to that tho. But in reality, I really wish that I had enjoyed social media like they did at the time. Posting silly things without thinking if it's aesthetic. The cool thing was being a little bit cringey. And what harm is in that? It's cool to think that now they have a whole Instagram archive from all the fun, dumb things that they were doing as teens. I wish social media wasn't a place where, if you post whatever you like, you might get made fun of or teased. I love the idea of their teen years over what I had every day. That's why we may make fun of them for being cringey, but I would prefer being cringey and happy than obsessing over looking good all the time. But what do you think? Were you a teen in 2016? What are your favorite memories from that time? Is there something you prefer from this day and age?