For maladaptive daydreamers, there’s some disappointing news. TikTok has released its yearly TikTok Next trend forecast for marketers in 2026, and the primary message is evident: fantasy is diminishing, while reality is coming to the forefront.

Per TikTok, 2026 will emphasize less on avoiding life through fantasy and more on actively engaging with it. Following years filled with “romanticizing,” “delulu,” and digital escapism, users are shifting towards discipline, routine, and shared responsibility to navigate a world that is increasingly unpredictable.

TikTok frames this change as a collective strategy for managing life’s chaos. Rather than romanticizing adulthood from afar, users are revealing what it genuinely requires to handle it. Movements like #TheGreatLockIn and terms such as #lockedin, #hygiene, and #joblife highlight an escalating yearning for structure, upkeep, and realism.

This transformation doesn’t erase joy; it reshapes it. Rather than cinematic fantasies or flawlessly curated existences, users are discovering satisfaction in progress, consistency, and minor, tangible successes. Content that acknowledges both the peaks and valleys, and finds humor in flaws, is appealing more than polished escapism.

In summary, while the era of fantasy may be wrapping up, reality is carving out its own allure. And for daydreamers, we still have Heated Rivalry. That holds some significance.