The new year is upon us, and it’s safe to say that returning to school and work after the holidays can be a struggle. After lounging around the house and enjoying movie marathons for the past few weeks, opening my laptop to catch up on emails feels like a foreign concept. At times, it feels like my mind is still on vacation mode (honestly, I think it will be until the end of January, at least). So, when I came across the “Nothing In My Brain” TikTok trend on my FYP — inspired by a lyric from Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” — I couldn’t help but smile. Not only is the trend cute and clever, but the punchline is relatable and incredibly timely; on this first Monday back in the new year, there is truly not much is happening in my brain.
If you’ve kept up with TikTok over the past few months, you’ll know that this isn’t the first time TSwift has been at the center of a popular digital trend. She broke the internet when she joined the app in August 2021, and soon after, her “Wildest Dreams” TikTok trend reminded creators to make themselves the main characters, dramatic poses, nostalgic filters, and all. Taylor’s TikTok videos continue to garner millions of likes and views, and amidst it all, creators continue to creatively tap into her legacy and lyrics in order to create viral trends. Similar to the “Screaming, Crying” trend, in which users share a partial lyric from Taylor’s hit “Blank Space,” the “Nothing In My Brain” trend utilizes a line from her 2014 song “Shake It Off.” The result is witty, tongue-in-cheek, and utterly perfect for this time of year.
At the beginning of “Blank Space,” Taylor sings, “I stay out too late / Got nothing in my brain / That’s what people say, mm mm.” TikToker @legierrigel reimagined the audio and created this viral soundbite, which simply says “Got nothing on my brain” on repeat. If you’re a Swiftie, the audio obviously sounds a bit silly, but it creates the perfect backdrop for TikTokers to share moments when they’re simply drawing a blank — a feeling we can all relate to. For example, have you ever been forced to take an exam right after winter break, and you’ve suddenly forgotten how to college? Maybe you studied ten hours for the exam, but you arrive at the testing center and now there is absolutely nothing in your brain. Perhaps you stayed up until 2 am every day over winter break and now you have to return to real life, or you forgot what it’s like to type an email after returning to work. Whether you’re struggling to focus today or you can’t get off the couch, the “Nothing In My Brain” TikTok trend is perfect for the moments when there’s not much happening up there.
Like many amusing TikTok trends, there are a variety of ways to interpret this one. The goal is to harness your humor, poke fun at yourself, and use the Taylor Swift-inspired soundbite to highlight a time when you simply had nothing in your brain. For example, TikToker @bassantm.dinar can’t remember how to make conversation with her crush. Creator @thatmomabigail just got approached at the grocery store, and…goodbye, social skills! Salma’s brain is short-circuiting and she recalls absolutely nothing after being asked what her favorite movie is. Someone just gave @ana_pac directions using “north, south, east,” and “west,” which simply does not compute, and when asked where she wants to eat for dinner, @ayunaziranas is at a loss. Whether your version of “Nothing In My Brain” is about remembering how to flirt or the steamy smut you read last night, use the trend as an opportunity to flex your comedy skills and have some fun.
To try the “Nothing In My Brain” trend, save the trending audio first, then think of a time when you were struggling to get it together. Can’t stop watching your favorite comfort shows on Netflix? Are you grabbing something from your bookshelf, but can’t remember for the life of you what title you were looking for? Are you trying to have a study session but can’t get in the groove, or are you still trying to process the fact that 2022 is here? If so, you’re not alone. Explore some examples on TikTok, record your funny moment selfie-style, and add the trending audio in the background. Lip-sync the lyrics with TSwift if you feel like it, and remember, TikTok trends are all about having fun. And if there’s nothing happening in your brain today, don’t be too hard on yourself — I’m sure there will be something in there tomorrow.