Axis Conversations CT: 2016 Nostalgia, Mental Health Improvements, and Voice Memos
Jan 22, 2026
Nostalgia for 2016 is trending on social media, sparking fond, yet complex, memories. There's promising news on college students’ mental health, with reported declines in depression and anxiety. Meanwhile, Gen Z prefers sending voice memos over making calls, leading to shifts in communication styles. A quirky TikTok trend sees kids bringing absurd items to school for laughs. Plus, a stationery store's surge in popularity signals a return to analog habits, with journaling and letter writing making a comeback.
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2016 Nostalgia Reveals Cultural Yearning
- Social media nostalgia shows people yearn for simpler, pre-AI and pre-pandemic cultural moments.
- The comparison reveals both eras mix authenticity and curated artificiality.
Students' Mental Health Trends Improve
- College student rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation fell for the third year in a row.
- Faculty and staff still often miss signs of distress despite recognizing worsening trends.
Discipling Is Faithful, Unseen Work
- Discipling youth requires steady, patient effort without instant results.
- Access to support helps leaders persevere in long-term ministry work.
