Trend alert: wtf is Existence Fatigue and Radical Transparency

We listen, we don't judge

If you’ve spent any time on LinkedIn lately, you’ve likely seen the same themes popping up in memes that scream burnout, confusion, and the sheer absurdity of it all. There’s a collective exhaustion bubbling to the surface, existence fatigue, and it’s hitting harder than usual this year.

While end-of-year weariness is nothing new, the tone in 2024 feels different. People are leaning into these memes not just for comedic relief, but as a way to reflect a deeper truth: the world feels heavy, and we’re all just trying to make it to the finish line. For marketers, advertisers, and social media professionals, this signals an emerging cultural shift, one where radical transparency will dominate 2025.

What is Existence Fatigue, and Why Is It Trending?

At its core, existence fatigue is the shared feeling of burnout, overstimulation, and emotional exhaustion that builds up over the course of a year—and 2024 delivered it in spades. From global uncertainties to economic pressures, people aren’t just tired; they’re drained. And instead of hiding it, they’re embracing it through memes that say, yes, we’re in flames, but at least we’re honest about it.

Consider the Hello Kitty on Fire meme: a cute, beloved character calmly standing amidst chaos. Or Cillian Murphy’s shrunken zombie corpse from 28 Years Later, a visual that captures survival mode perfectly. These viral trends are micro-forms of radical transparency, distilling the feelings of existence fatigue into relatable visuals. They strip away the pretense of having it all together and embrace a “no judgment, just vibes” mentality.

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