(NEXSTAR) — TikTok trends can be hard to follow at times, from the “broccoli” haircut teen boys all seem to want to the very “brat” inspired “Apple dance” — have we lost you yet?
Just stick with us, because the latest TikTok trend isn’t as confusing as it sounds.
It’s all seemingly thanks to TikTok user Jools Lebron, better known as @joolieannie. As Mashable explains, Jools has shared a slew of advice on how to appear “very demure” and “very mindful.”
Unlike other terms TikTok is said to have created, like “cottagecore” and “girl math” and “coastal grandma,” demure and mindful have true, found-in-a-dictionary definitions.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines demure as “modest, reserved, or serious,” similar to “coy;” while mindful is “bearing in mind” and “inclined to be aware.” You may even consider them synonyms for polite, kind, or sensible.
Those words generally carry their meaning when it comes to TikTok. Jools has covered a number of topics to be “demure” and “mindful” at, like looking “very presentable” at work and showing up early at the airport for vacation. It’s also about being “very cutesy,” “very respectful,” and “not doing too much.”
While even Jools considers these videos to be jokes, “very demure, very mindful” has undoubtedly joined the TikTok lexicon.
Social media users have used the term to describe this photo of President Dwight D. Eisenhower in his military uniform sitting on a bench, with others connecting it with Vice President Kamala Harris on the campaign trail. It’s also been used to describe how to politely eat a chip and save money, as well as commending Team USA for not winning too many gold medals “to show off.”
Netflix, however, reminded us all that the original “very demure, very mindful” representation may be none other than Rory Gilmore, from one of its top streaming shows, “Gilmore Girls.”
It’s too soon to say for sure, but it seems we may soon transition from the frivolous fun of “brat summer” into a “very demure, very mindful” fall.
