The self-made mythos is as powerful as ever, despite societal upheaval testing its limits. Even mundane pastimes have been monetised as people cash in on massive audiences and leave no niche unexplored. Selling out is no longer a source of embarrassment, it’s just what makes the world go round.

People are redefining status for themselves using a broad range of factors beyond solely economic ones. This new iteration of status is often based around increasingly niche and local signifiers, and status is becoming a mode of belonging and connection with like-minded people.

From decentralised autonomous organisations (DAOs) run on Discord to city-wide mutual aid groups, people are finding safety and optimism in numbers. For growing numbers of people, collective action is emerging as the only viable solution to compounding crises and deepening alienation.

People are craving comfort. Amid what can feel like a state of constant crisis – a layering of traumatic societal events – it can sometimes seem like we’ve lost a sense of scale and cohesion. In the face of this, the desire to retreat into nostalgia is more seductive than ever.

Shop Latinx has launched Our Paradiso, a beauty and wellness vertical that aims to uplift Latino-founded brands. As Latino people seek more financial access and representation across different business sectors, platforms like Our Paradiso help boost their brands and culturally-nuanced products.

Karu Research is an India-based menswear brand marrying traditional craft techniques with contemporary workwear silhouettes. As the popularity of artisanal brands grows among global audiences amid sustainability concerns, can handmade fashion brands scale without sacrificing their eco-credentials?

Despite greater instability and economic uncertainty, young Americans are choosing to invest in their homes. Limited funds are no match for their creativity, as DIY and homecraft are booming among Gen Z digital communities who are increasingly opting for unique interiors and handmade homewares.

When the world around them seemed chaotic and unpredictable, Gen Zers turned to tactile pastimes such as pottery and craft culture. As this digitally-native generation embraces mindful hobbies that champion joy and combat perfection fatigue, what does this say about the future of wholesome hobbies?