We would be remiss to start 2026 without our predictions on lifestyle and media trends for the year. While most of 2025 was an extension or completion of the evolution started in 2026, the golden thread of the most notable trends of the new year is aligned with lifestyle optimization. 2026 will be the year we take a step back and redefine leisure and purpose outside of the default.

Defining the lifestyle of 2026

2026 will be a year of intentional living, where experiences, well-being and personal taste will take center stage. From travel to media habits, the most influential people are reshaping their lives with purpose and style.

IN

Travel Stacking: Planning curated trips and experiences for a richer life.

People who prioritize leisure already plan their getaways from March to May and September. Global trends indicate an insatiable desire for travel and experiences over possessions, and young people especially view experiences as an investment in a richer future. This practice will also be a leader in business travel, where optimized itineraries are said to increase employee productivity and well-being.

Optimizing health: Well-being and movement as markers of modern status.

Padel, Hyrox and Pilates will continue to find their place in the sun, but the broader conversation is that health is another non-material indicator of a lifestyle on the rise. Don't quote us yet, but calisthenics could finally hit South African shores in 2026.

Craft over Hype: True luxury rooted in quality, materials and heritage.

True luxury lies in the craftsmanship, materials and heritage. During difficult economic times, discerning consumers will continue to look for purchases that will stand the test of time, demonstrating the lasting impact of luxury on our lives.

Slow media: Embracing long-form content and conscious media consumption.

After a tumultuous two years marked by alleged platform censorship, regional conflicts, ownership changes and other social media events, small media overconsumption fatigue has firmly set in and people are opting for longer-form media. The rise of Substack in a post-Tumblr world heralds the possible end of doom-scrolling, which is a positive sign.

OUTSIDE

Trend chasing: move away from fleeting trends and towards personal taste.

It was difficult to know where the 2020s were taking us in terms of personal style and aesthetics, with some calling it a “stylistic black hole,” where desperation to “keyword code” personal style has seemingly driven away discerning consumers. In the past, being fashionable was an indicator of upward mobility and access, but now the ability to define your personal taste independently will be a bolder statement. 2026 will be the year of distinguishing your lifestyle in intangible ways, and personal taste is the highest form of it.

Minimalism: interiors that move from restraint to vibrant, lived-in opulence.

After a decade of dominance, Scandinavian minimalism and millennial gray are finally stepping aside to make way for a new era in home decor. Empty spaces are filled with color, texture and tasteful clutter. The long-awaited departure from minimalism ushers in a new era of opulence, as people use their spaces to showcase the fullness and vitality of a life lived, not simply curated. This is the ultimate luxury.

Lives always online: prioritizing privacy and balance in digital presence.

2026 began with an alarming event in which X users used their artificial intelligence tool, Grok, to edit images of real people without consent. Unfortunately, this involved undressing the subject and other suggestive prompts, primarily aimed at adult and minor women. This amplified the urgent need for internet security, data protection, and an overall sense of online privacy. For the sake of security, but also to live a more balanced life, we project that 2026 will be the year in which people become more demanding about their online availability. Digital will always drive content consumption and that's not expected to change, but content creation will be a little different this year.

Algorithm dependence: recovering human agency over digital algorithms.

Much like the decline of defined trends and minimalism, the algorithm that has sustained cultural trends and offline conversations will take a backseat to real human interests and behaviors. 2026 will be the year you forge a meaningful life offline, affecting what life will look like online. We welcome a world where we train the algorithm and the algorithm does not train us. It's been the latter for too long without anyone noticing.

The ultimate luxury in 2026

As 2026 begins, the common thread will be intentionality. People looking to improve their lives are no longer looking for visibility and validation. We are entering an era of the individual, in the best way possible. The ultimate luxury is being the owner of your own voice, time and lifestyle.