Let’s be real, growing up is weird. One day, you’re crying in the school bathroom because someone said your takkies were fake. Next, you’re in a café that only plays Lorde and costs more than your teenage monthly allowance, sipping a matcha with oat milk, wondering why you ever cared so much.
It’s 2025, and somewhere between Black Twitter memes and TikTok therapy videos, we’ve all started realizing that a lot of what used to stress us out wasn’t that deep, but let me land.
The Matcha & Smashburger Phase (aka Our New Personality)
Let’s talk about it. If Cape Town had a flag right now, it’d probably be a pastel green swirl and a greasy burger. The obsession with matcha and smashburgers is getting out of hand, but in the most comforting, self-aware way.
We joke, but it’s kind of poetic. We went from begging our parents for R10 lunch money to dropping R160 on a “Classic Smashburger” with truffle fries and washing it down with iced matcha in a glass bottle labelled “earth conscious.” Are we okay? Maybe not. Are we healing through aesthetic food? I would think so.
This era is less about the burger and more about what it represents: we’re finally giving ourselves space to slow down, taste life, and romanticize the small wins.
What Felt Like the End of the World Wasn’t
Take it back a few years.
- Didn’t get into UCT, Wits, or Stellies? You thought your life was over.
- Got left on read? Emotional breakdown.
- Weren’t you invited to a house party in Bryanston or Ballito for Rage Fest? Existential crisis.
Fast forward to now, and you realize half those moments were just ego in a school uniform. The heartbreaks that kept you up at night now make for solid captions. The friendships you “couldn’t live without” ended, and you didn’t just survive; you got hotter, wiser, and a little quieter online.
Even those Twitter chats about sneakers, who pioneered Amapiano, why artists aren’t showing up to gigs, and whether pap goes with eggs (it does, and I know about it now) feel less urgent now. Because we’ve matured. Or we’ve just got better things to do, like air-frying chicken nuggets and healing our inner child.
Black Twitter, TikTok, and The New Age of Soft Self-Awareness
If you’ve been paying attention to the timelines, you’ll notice a shift. Less “I’ll fight everyone on this app” energy and more “I’m logged off for my peace” posts. We’re entering a generation of funny, self-aware, and deeply tired young people who have realized that survival doesn’t have to come with suffering.
We’re laughing about our traumas on TikTok, but we’re also journaling, getting therapy (as if Discovery covers it), and calling our parents just to say hi. And in that mix of sarcasm and soul-searching, something beautiful is happening. We’re not just growing older; we’re growing lighter.
Real Growth Is Just New Problems with Better Outfits
Sure, we’re still stressed; adulting doesn’t stop. Rent is wild. Stage 6 is most definitely coming back. The economy is giving “don’t look at me.” But the things that once consumed us have faded into punchlines and playlists.
You’re not crying over not being invited to the groove anymore. You’re worried about load shedding during your Teams meeting. You’re not begging for validation from people who didn’t even know your surname. You’re setting boundaries, archiving chats, and simply choosing your peace.
So maybe the hot take is this:
The things that felt like mountains were just speed bumps.
And now that we’ve crossed them, we can laugh a little. Reflect a little. And maybe, just maybe, enjoy the matcha without thinking too hard.
6 responses to “Maybe It Was Never That Deep, Just Growing Pains in a Matcha Era”
Hey Vuyo, we appreciate your kind words! Life has a way of showing us that even the “deepest” moments were just stepping stones, but they make the best stories later. Thank you again, Vuyo, for taking the time to reflect with us, and we hope all is going well at Cornerstone Institute. We see you shining too.
Born and raised in the charming town of Empangeni, KwaZulu Natal, Sabelo Khanyile has carved out a unique niche in the creative world. Now based in Cape Town, Sabelo is a multifaceted artist known for his dynamic work as a DJ and photographer. His creative journey has led him to collaborate with notable figures such as Micael Matthews and showcase his work at prestigious events like SA Men's Fashion Week. His striking photography has also graced the pages of Vogue Italia, marking him as a significant force in the global art scene. In addition to his work as a DJ and photographer, Sabelo serves as the Creative Director of Adult Content Dreams, an innovative online platform dedicated to celebrating art, fashion, and music. Despite the provocative name, the platform is far from a site for adult content. Instead, it offers a vibrant space for the youth in South Africa to explore and engage with contemporary art and fashion, providing a creative outlet that fosters expression and connection through various artistic mediums. Sabelo’s diverse talents and creative vision continue to influence and inspire, making him a prominent figure in South Africa’s evolving cultural landscape.
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