Millennials Didn’t Invent These 15 Things, But They Sure Think They Did
Millennials are known for creating trends, shaping culture, and pushing boundaries. But some things that are associated with their generation are actually much older than they might think.
From fashion choices to tech innovations, millennials often claim to have pioneered ideas or movements that have been around for decades. Let’s debunk some of these myths and explore 15 things millennials think they invented—but didn’t.
Avocado Toast
Millennials are often credited with the avocado toast phenomenon. But this trendy dish has been around for much longer, particularly in Australia where it gained popularity in the 1990s.
What millennials did was bring it into the mainstream, turning it into a brunch staple—but it certainly wasn’t invented by them.
Minimalism
The minimalist lifestyle, often associated with millennials’ love for clean, clutter-free living, isn’t a modern invention. Minimalism has been a key aspect of various artistic movements, from the Bauhaus school in the early 20th century to the Japanese Zen philosophy.
Millennials have just revived and popularized it on social media.
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Yoga
Yoga has roots that go back over 5,000 years in India. While millennials certainly helped bring it into the Western mainstream, especially through fitness culture, it’s been practiced for millennia in different parts of the world.
Millennials didn’t invent yoga, they just made it a global trend.
Side Hustles
Many millennials claim to have pioneered the side hustle culture, but working multiple jobs to make ends meet has been around for a long time. In fact, previous generations have always found creative ways to supplement their income, from bartending to freelance work.
The rise of the gig economy is more of an evolution than an invention.
Gluten-Free Diets
While gluten-free diets have certainly been on the rise in the past couple of decades, the idea of avoiding gluten dates back to the 1940s, when celiac disease became better understood.
Millennials popularized gluten-free options, but the concept itself is not new.
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Veganism
Veganism, much like gluten-free diets, is often associated with millennial ideals of health and sustainability, but the vegan movement has been around for decades. The term “vegan” was coined in the 1940s, long before millennials made it trendy.
The rise of plant-based foods today is more of a continuation of older movements.
Self-Care
Millennials love talking about self-care, but the idea of taking care of one’s mental and physical health has been around for centuries. From ancient Greek philosophers to 19th-century wellness advocates, people have long understood the importance of self-care.
Millennials just made it a buzzword and focused more on wellness routines.
Streaming Services
While millennials may have helped make streaming a cultural norm, streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Spotify weren’t invented by them. Streaming began with services like Napster and Pandora in the early 2000s, but it wasn’t until the internet infrastructure caught up that the true streaming boom happened.
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Environmentalism
Millennials have been at the forefront of modern environmental movements, advocating for sustainability and green initiatives. However, environmental activism has roots that stretch back to the early 20th century, particularly with figures like Rachel Carson and the first Earth Day in 1970.
Millennials are part of a much longer environmental history.
Sustainable Fashion
The push for sustainable fashion and eco-friendly clothing has gained traction with millennials, but the concept isn’t new. Designers like Elsa Schiaparelli and others during the 1930s were already experimenting with using sustainable materials and advocating for environmentally conscious fashion choices.
Millennials helped amplify it through social media.
Facial Masks
Facial masks are a popular part of many millennials' skincare routines. But this beauty treatment isn’t a new fad.
Masks have been used in beauty rituals since ancient Egypt, where Cleopatra is said to have used them for her skin. Millennials have just given them a modern twist with sheet masks and DIY recipes.
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The #MeToo Movement
While the #MeToo movement gained widespread attention during the 2010s, it’s not a new idea. Tarana Burke originally coined the term in 2006 to raise awareness about sexual violence.
Millennials amplified its message, but the seeds were planted well before they came into the spotlight.
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and GoFundMe are now part of millennial culture, but the idea of pooling money together for a cause or project has been around for much longer. In the past, communities often raised funds for local projects or charities, long before the rise of online platforms.
Digital Nomad Lifestyle
The idea of working remotely and traveling the world has been embraced by millennials, who are often seen as pioneers of the digital nomad lifestyle. But long before laptops and Wi-Fi, there were other adventurers and freelancers who worked while traveling, from writers to artists, in pursuit of freedom and exploration.
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Social Media Influencers
The concept of “influencers” is often tied to millennials, but the idea of using celebrity power to sell products or promote causes isn’t new. In fact, it dates back to the early 20th century when advertisements featured movie stars endorsing products.
Social media has just given rise to everyday people with large followings, but the core idea is much older.
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