This week’s Reels trends prove that we’ve officially entered the “honest era” of social media. The filters are off, the humour’s dry, and perfection is starting to look a bit… cringe. From romanticising invoices to glorifying routine, brands are winning by being real. If you’ve got personality and a smartphone, you’ve got everything you need to play.
1. Stop Talking Dirty to Me – Romance Is Dead, But the Dishwasher’s Empty
Taylor Swift’s Actually Romantic track has gone viral for all the wrong reasons – or the right ones, depending on how you feel about clean kitchens.
Creators are pairing it with clips that show what really counts as romantic in 2025: invoices paid, parcels packed, and inboxes cleared.
Example: A business owner films the moment their payment notification pings with the caption “When that overdue invoice finally lands.”
Brand angle: Show your version of modern love – the admin wins, the tidy desk, the “finally signed off” moment.
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2. I Just Know What I Like – Consistency Is the New Cool
This trend celebrates people who know their taste and stick to it. No rebrands, no existential crises, just loyalty to what works. The sound is being used by creators who proudly rewatch the same series, drink the same coffee, or wear the same hoodie six times over.
Example: A bakery posts, “Yes, it’s the same brownie recipe we’ve used since 2014. You’re welcome.”
Brand angle: Highlight your signature thing – the process, flavour, or format your customers love most.
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3. We Need to Sit Down – The Dramatic Reveal
Nothing hooks people like a fake crisis. The sound starts serious – then flips into something big, funny, or surprising. Small businesses are using it to announce launches, rebrands, or tongue-in-cheek confessions.
Example: A florist uses it to reveal “We need to sit down… because our Christmas wreaths are already selling out.”
Brand angle: Build tension before your reveal. It makes even small news feel like headline news.
4. I Know Ball – Quiet Confidence, Loud Results
The phrase “They think I don’t know ball” has turned into a subtle power move. It’s being used to prove people wrong without saying much at all.
It’s smug, but charmingly so.
Example: A local accountant posts, “They think small firms can’t handle big clients – we know ball.”
Brand angle: Use it to show expertise without the brag. Perfect for myth-busting your niche.
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5. Trust the Process – Behind-the-Scenes, Unfiltered
Perfection is out, progress is in. This trend is all about showing the messy middle – the prototypes, the chaos, the late-night fixes.
Audiences want real, not rehearsed.
Example: A jewellery brand films resin pouring gone slightly wrong, then the final polished piece, captioned “Trust the process.”
Brand angle: Document your journey, not just the destination. People buy into progress.
6. WARNING – Jump Scares, But Make It Marketing
A high-energy track with flashing text and bold cuts. Think of it as the “scroll jolt” trend – designed to grab attention fast.
Example: A skincare brand flashes bold red text — “WARNING: glowing skin ahead” — before revealing a new product line. Short, cheeky, and impossible to scroll past.
Brand angle: Great for launches, deadlines, or new offers. Keep it punchy, visual, and unapologetic.
7. It’s beginning to look like Gilmore Girls Season
It’s not autumn on Instagram until Gilmore Girls takes over. The “lalala” soundtrack has become code for warm lighting, pumpkin tones, and small business nostalgia.
Example: A coffee shop posts a slow pan of lattes steaming in the morning light with “It’s giving Stars Hollow.”
Brand angle: Use it to humanise your brand. Seasonal storytelling sells – especially when it feels like comfort TV.
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8. Choose One – Audience as Decision-Maker
The trend is simple: hold up two options and let the comments decide. People love feeling like they’re part of your brand’s process.
Example: A design studio films two logo variations with the caption “Choose one – left or right?”
Brand angle: Turn your audience into collaborators. Engagement disguised as feedback.
9. Pretty Little Baby – The Small Win Anthem
This upbeat sound is pure serotonin. It’s being used to celebrate little victories – orders shipped, campaigns approved, websites launched.
Example: A freelancer posts a timelapse of their workspace tidy-up with “Pretty Little Baby” and the caption “Client paid early. Happiness restored.”
Brand angle: Celebrate your everyday wins. Consistency and cheer are both contagious.
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10. Sugar on My Tongue – The Aesthetic of Satisfaction
A remix of Talking Heads is driving a new wave of ASMR-style Reels – all close-ups, colours, and texture.
Think ribbons, coffee pours, hands-on work. No talking. Just vibes.
Example: A candle brand films wax pouring in slow motion. The caption? “Satisfaction in 15 seconds.”
Brand angle: Film your most tactile process. The goal is sensory calm – the kind that makes people linger.
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Final Thought
This week’s Reels trends are less about filters and more about feelings – honesty, relief, and routine. Audiences don’t want to see perfection; they want to see progress.
If you can make someone nod, laugh, or exhale – congratulations. You’ve already won the algorithm.
