A growing cultural trend known as “Millennial Cringe” has taken hold online, where Gen Z critiques millennial habits—from skinny jeans and the crying-laughing emoji to overly sincere Instagram captions. What was once popular is now satirized as outdated, try-hard, or embarrassingly earnest. While some millennials push back or laugh along, the moment highlights deeper discomfort with aging, identity, and shifting digital norms.
Sadly, as a 1996 baby, I'm part Gen Z and part Millennial, stuck in between this debacle. Because the internet and social media culture move fast, what was once cool has already become "cringe" and last season. Don't believe me? Ask your parents or take a look at what they wore in the 80s and 90s—hit styles like crop tops and baggy jeans are already making a comeback.
Is this harmless fun, or does it reveal something deeper about our fear of aging and authenticity? If being mocked for sincerity is part of our moment, how do we remain joyfully authentic—and teach the next generation that truth, not trend, is what endures?
The Meme-ification of Millennials
Unlike Millennials, Gen Z has been raised almost entirely on TikTok, Instagram reels, and online commentary. According to Phu Concepts, "Memes have emerged as a cultural phenomenon that resonates particularly well with the younger generations – Gen Z (Zoomers) and Gen Y (Millennials)". When Gen Z finds millennial habits outdated, however, such as the fast pace of digital aesthetics or the shift from sincerity, these concepts become ironic and mocked.
While many millennials laugh about the fading trend and move on, others push back about the self-deprecation and genuine hurt. Beyond humor, this reveals anxiety about identity, relevance, and cultural obsolescence between generations. Again, I think we, no matter what generation we find ourselves a part of, must ask some pivotal questions:
-How do we stay authentic in a world of ironic distance?
-How do we stand for sincerity when we're made fun of for it?
-How do we remain vulnerable in a digital age of irony and satire?
Authenticity That Lasts
No matter what cultural trends come and go, God values the authenticity of our hearts over outward trends (1 Samuel 16:7). Yes, we have a deep yearning and longing to be known and accepted without ridicule. Yes, we are to stand for truth no matter what. But keeping these mindsets in the 21st century can be painful and difficult. If you're struggling or feeling hurt and defeated, please know you're not alone.
Jesus Christ, our Savior, knew what it was like to be mocked and ridiculed for sincerity. He certainly didn't stay with the latest fads and trends; in fact, the way He lived His life and the beliefs He represented were countercultural. Not only was His authenticity countercultural, but He Himself was not what everyone anticipated the next King would be like. As Isaiah 53 prophesied, Jesus was a man of sorrows, deeply misunderstood by the world around Him:
"Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces, he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment, he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge, my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."
- Isaiah 53:1-12, NIV, (emphasis added).
Christ valued sincerity, even when it was culturally uncool, and even when it meant death on a cross. Why? Because He knew that trends fade, but truth and eternal life endure. As Isaiah 40:8 reminds us, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever" (NIV), and that's something we can place our authenticity upon. Compared to fleeting digital aesthetics and styles, the enduring truth never changes and is what our lives should be built on.
In Galatians 1:10, Paul knew this message well. He was surrounded by a world that lived one way while He lived another. Corinth was basically the Las Vegas of our world today. But through it all, Paul learned to live to please God and not people. And I have to ask you the same question: Amidst all these "trends," are you seeking approval of people or God? "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ" (NIV).
Remaining joyfully authentic, even when we're mocked, isn't easy, but Paul and Jesus are just two examples who show us how to live.
3 Ways to Live Joyfully Authentic in a Cringe World
If you're struggling to live joyfully and authentically in a cringeworthy world, try these simple practices:
1. Reframe "Cringe" as Courage.
Vulnerability and sincerity, though they take courage, are countercultural acts of strength and honor. Remember, you're not acting in your strength, but the strength the Lord gives us through His power of the Holy Spirit.
2. Model Enduring Truth for the Next Generation.
It doesn't matter if you're a Millennial or Gen Z. You can still teach that authenticity rooted in Christ is more powerful than chasing trends. Romans 12:2 is a great life verse to memorize when it comes to standing against cultural trends and standing for truth instead: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will" (NIV).
3. Laugh, But Don't Lose Perspective.
At the end of the day, it's okay to laugh when people make fun of trends and fads. Humor is okay. But don't let irony erode sincerity. One of my favorite Scriptures that I believe gets at the heart of this principle is Proverbs 26:18-19: "Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death is one who deceives their neighbor and says, 'I was only joking" (NIV)! Every generation needs to practice gratitude for the season of life they're in, rather than mocking it.
From Cringe to Christlike Confidence
Friends, trends will fade, generations will tease as they come and go, but only the eternal truth of the Gospel will remain. We have a choice to respond to cultural mockery with fear and defensiveness, or joyful authenticity rooted in Christ, no matter what comes our way. Making this choice of response isn't easy, but it will be worth it. What endures isn’t an emoji or a fashion choice—it’s God’s Word and the identity He gives us. And not even mockery or passing trends can take that away from us.
A Prayer for Authenticity
Dear Jesus,
Thank you so much for being my Lord. In a world with shifting trends and fleeting labels, help us to live with joyful authenticity that lasts. Give us joy to be who you've created us to be, and encourage us to live sincerely in a culture that mocks those attributes. You've made each of us to be conduits of your grace, and I want to model that truth and love to the world. For this generation, and every generation to come, let them see you in me. We love, praise, and thank you, Jesus.
Amen.
Photo Credit: Chat GPT
