Digital Shift Happens: Branding, Tech, and Trends Through the Years

Hi mic check Hello! I’m so excited to kick off my new series, Digital Shift Happens: Branding, Tech, and Trends Through the Years. This year marks a pretty big milestone for me—I’m turning 30! Reflecting on the past three decades has made me appreciate how much has changed in my life, and in the world around me. Going through old photos always takes me back to specific moments in life, reminding me of how things used to be. And that sense of nostalgia is exactly what inspired Digital Shift Happens.

In this series, I’ll be sharing how branding, technology, and trends have transformed over the years—shaping not only my personal journey but the way we interact with others. Through personal stories (& photos) from my childhood, I’ll walk you through my early exposure to tech like flip phones, instant messaging, and MySpace—and how these moments unknowingly helped shape the digital persona I’ve been building all my life.

We’ll also take a look at how these trends evolved—from BBM broadcast messages and avatars on gaming platforms to the rise of music/photo-sharing sites and viral challenges. I’ll show you how these experiences paved the way for today’s influencer culture and TikTok trends (Can I even say TT, anymore?).

Here’s what you can expect from Digital Shift Happens:

Nostalgic moments:

Get ready for a trip down memory lane as we revisit the technology, gadgets, and trends that defined the ’90s and 2000s, reflecting on where it all began and how far we’ve come in today’s digital world.

Branding evolution:

From birthday parties themed around my favorite cartoon brands to customizing Bitmojis that reflect our personalities, I’ll explore how branding and personalization have evolved from physical tokens of identity to the digital personas we curate everyday. Plus, I’ll share how some iconic brands have transformed over the years and how they continue to capture our interest.

Tech transformed:

I always like to tell people I grew up with technology, literally! Remember the days of dial up-internet and bulky computers? Now, our entire digital lives fit in our pockets. I’ll share how technology has become smaller, smarter, and more accessible— and how it changed the way we live, work, and play.

Communication through time:

From Myspace layouts to TikTok trends, we’ll reflect on how social platforms have evolved over time. We’ll dive into how communication itself has transformed, impacting the way we connect and communicate in our relationships today.

Influence before it was cool:

We’ll take a look at how personal branding began to take shape online. Before Instagram influencers and affiliate links, people influenced each other to join trends, buy popular tech, and wear certain brands—setting the stage for the online influence we see today.

I’m excited to take this nostalgic journey with you! Whether you lived through these trends or are just learning about them, I hope Digital Shift Happens sparks some inspiration and gives you a fresh perspective on how branding, tech, and trends have shaped our world. Stay tuned right here on the blog.