The best and the worst of the 2010s.

It's the end of a decade and as a new one draws in I want to touch on some of the most memorable, and my favourite, moments of the 2010s.

1. Songs

Music is something which has impact my life so greatly these past ten years. For me, there is one overriding artist who has changed my life. That's a big statement I know, and it is just music, but their music made me feel like no other. In 2011 I found myself a home within the fandom of one man and his guitar. Since that point, I have travelled the UK to see him play at any opportunity I could. Music has been a safe place for me. I love the rush and adrenaline you feel at a concert even with the slowest song played. I love looking around to see so many happy people.

I think there is a clear difference between what I think is the 'best' song of the decade, and what my favourite song of the decade is.

My favourite song of this decade (if I have to choose) is probably Grade 8 by Ed Sheeran. There is something nostalgic about this song. I remember listening to it EVERYWHERE. Every family holiday, every walk to school, every car journey that song would be there. It is my favourite song by Ed. It is the song I want tattooed on me. It is the song that I put on whatever mood I am in. I love it.

Best song of the decade?

There's a few. Literally anything by Rihanna has been huge. For me, the biggest and therefore best song of this decade is one which resonates with every person. One which we all get. One that was given meaning.

One last time by Ariana Grande.

The emotions I feel whenever I hear this song now are monumental. I can never forget. I am someone who lived her whole teenage life at Ed Sheeran concerts because that's where I felt alive. That environment made me feel like no other. I was completely lost in another world. I want everyone to feel how I feel watching Ed. I cannot overlook what happened. This song will never be the same, and it shouldn't. I want us to look back on this decade and realise that this song is a really big f you to terrorism and hate crime. In the midst of Brexit, the UK (and the world) were actually united in positivity. That's why I chose this song. It is the one I will commemorate from this decade.

2. Movies

The 2010s have seen a few changes within Hollywood and cinema. The biggest probably being the rise of Netflix and streaming services. Everything has become so much accessible to us that it is just a part of everyday life. This is probably the first decade we have seen the film industry becoming a little less male and a little less white. It is not perfect, but it is a start. We are beginning to see more positive and real individuals, situations and experiences within films. My favourite films of this decade are:

Roma (2018) - This is the film I was surprised that I enjoyed. I had wanted to watch the film after it had scored so well at the Oscars. As I began watching black and white, completely silent, subtitled film I honestly wasn't sure if I was going to make it through the full 2 hours odd. It was so difficult to watch in the beginning. You have to want to watch it. By the end, I was balling my eyes out. I loved it. Without giving anything away, I have never watched a film of this sort that was so moving. It is a film of art, not entertainment I would recommend to everyone.

Avengers (2011) - Whether you're a fan of superhero films or not you cannot deny that this decade there have been more than ever. The surge of these films has been crazy. I love a good Marvel film, and although this isn't my favourite, I do think it paved the way for a lot we are seeing now.

Us (2019) - Or any Jordan Peele film. I LOVED this film. For someone who actively avoids scary films, this was a winner for me. After watching Get Out and Blackkklansman, I knew I had to watch the newest of Peele's masterpieces. I loved the cast, the story and the whole angle of this movie. These films, along with Moonlight by Barry Jenkins, are so inclusive and in the best way. I think for me, I knew what I was getting when I watched Get Out and Blackkklansman. I knew the underlying racial issues. This film didn't touch on that, because it didn't need to. It is a film about an American family, not their race, but having a nearly all-black cast just helps portray real people. I am obsessed with this the more I watch it. It is a gem.

3. TV shows

Similarly to film, the TV industry has grown massively in ten years, hopefully for the better. Thanks to streaming services we have free rein over what we watch when we want to. Amongst Game of Thrones and Stranger Things, there is one tv show that stands out this decade. One which I believe will change television, when people understand it that is.

Twin Peaks: The Return (2017) - I mean how could this not be included in my decade favourites. Twin Peaks was something which was introduced to me by my dad. I love a murder show, but this is SO much more. I cannot begin to attempt to explain David Lynch's work. I adored the first two seasons of Twin Peaks, and after a 25-year wait (only about 6 years for me) the excitement surrounding this show was insane. It is weird and wonderful. I love the cast and their characters. I don't understand any of it, but I love it. The making of this show will change tv forever, it is the future.

4. Gadgets

Say goodbye to CDs and record stores. 10 years is a long time and a lot of development has happened. In 2010 the first-ever iPad was released and in the years following Apple only seem to rise. This decade also saw the introduction of the Amazon Alexa, the friendly, fast and smart system that has changed the household. Although I do love Alexa, I do feel for anyone with that name now. As well as homing systems, the decade also bought about new and improved gaming systems such as the Nintendo Switch. This, of course, allows all us 90s babies to continue playing Mario Kart and Crash Bandicoot until we die.

5. Food

This may seem like an odd category, but it's true the 2010s have had some interesting food trends, starting with avocado. The avocado has exploded this decade. Like did it even exist before? Or has it just been invented to go with toast and poached eggs? This has also been the pioneering decade for meat-free alternatives. There are more people vegan now than ever before. As a meat-eater, I say well done! I would love to go vegan and have tried a couple of times but honestly, I like my food too much. And yes that may sound selfish, but I have a dairy intolerance and I struggle to stick to that. Food is my weakness, but we are living and learning for next year.

6. Political movements

This decade has seen some positive and negative political movements. Here is a list of some of the biggest:

In 2012 the Black Lives Matter movement officially began. 2012 was also the year Obama was elected for a second term.

In 2014 the first same-sex marriage was held in England and Wales.

In 2015 same-sex marriage was finally legalised in the US! YAY!

In 2016 Brexit began.... in 3016 maybe it will be finished!

In 2017 #MeToo began, bringing thousands upon thousands of women together.

7. Medical breakthroughs

The future is upon us. Medicine and science are developing so quickly that medical breakthroughs are made globally every day. What we can do for the human body is without a doubt amazing. New cancer treatments, faecal transplants and 3D printed body parts are just some of the developments. One that I think about a lot is Gene Therapy. In 2017 a teenage boy with sickle cell disease was cured and since then the science surrounding it has continued. Although this is a relatively new advancement, I do think it could help in all ways. If we have the technology to save lives, why aren't we? I cannot wait to see how this progresses.

8. Social media

If the 2010s are remembered for anything, it will be the expansion of social media. There are so many social media platforms that did not exist ten years ago. Snapchat and Instagram being just two of them. These things are such a huge part of our lives now, that it is difficult to imagine life without them. Not only has social media become part of our daily routines, but it has also open career doors. This decade has been the rise of influencers and the fall of traditional media.

9. Internet culture.

As well as the rise of social media, the 2010s has introduced internet culture. Food challenges, dance challenges, posts going viral. Thanks to social media this decade has allowed the whole world to join in. The Harlem Shake, the ice bucket challenge, the cinnamon challenge and the mannequin challenge to name a few. The 2010s took weirdness and made it global.

In 2013 the gallon smashing challenged surfaced on Youtube, which saw individuals throwing milk bottles to the floor, making it seem accidental. Despite most participants of the challenge getting injuries to themselves or others, or a lot of the time having to face legal action, we all still watched them.

Another weird one was the Kylie Jenner lip challenge. Where people used small shot glasses to cover their lips, giving them temporary fuller lips. This didn't make sense to me. Hundreds upon thousands of people followed a challenge that risked bruising and the glass shattering to have fuller lips for 10 minutes? Yep, that's viral culture for you right there!

10. Things you forgot, or wish you could.

The 2010s seem to have some particular events and trends that are just bizarre. Remember when everyone thought the world was going to end in 2012, just like at the beginning of the millennium. I mean how did Gangnam Style ever become the move viewed video in the world? (Thankfully its been overtaken now)

There are a few things I pray stay in this decade. One of them being killer clowns. 2016 saw a surge of people dressing up as clowns to scare and potentially harm others. Although not a lot of these resulted in actual injuries, I swear it has installed fear in me. Secondly, can we please leave behind the dab and baby shark. I can confirm that quite frankly I have had enough of baby shark. It is installed into my memory, never for me to forget so I don't need to hear it anymore. I give in.

This decade has seen me truly grow, love and flourish. This coming decade will be the one where I live the beginning part of my 'fully adult' life. The decade where we move out, get married, find our careers and have our own children. This is also the decade where get to make our own decisions, ones that cause change and better the lives of everyone. This is our time. It is now.

Katie x