For Gen Z, summer 2023 is shaping up to be the summer of not caring what other people think. Rejecting the already archaic idea of a ‘hot girl summer’, and instead building on the feral, messy, and beloved ‘goblin mode’, Gen Z is doing whatever they please this time around.

But all of these new trends can be a lot to keep on top of.

So, here are three of the most popular Zer-led summer movements we think you should know about. And by the end of this post, you’ll know whether or not you sit in camp rat, camp tomato, or camp rot.

Rat girl summer

Lola Okala coined the phrase rat girl summer on TikTok in June 2023, and the internet hasn't been the same since. In the video Okala outlines what she means about people 'embracing their rodent energy', and instead of scurrying around bins and subway stations, there is an emphasis on embracing outdoor life, a huge focus on snacks, and refusing to stay still.

It isn't about staying home, it's about living life IRL as people get out and about and experience the vastness life outside has to offer. This differentiates it from the goblin-mode lifestyle that saw people staying in and hunkering down in 2022.

There's also a real sense of indulgence at play. It's about eating what you want, going where you want, and focusing on self-love. It does away with societal expectations and pressures, and instead, it's about doing whatever makes you happy no matter how cringe that may be.

Tomato girl summer

If the sound of a rodent-based summer is too hectic, then tomato girl might be more your vibe. Being a tomato girl means taking things super slowly, and embracing relaxation – albeit in a more focused way than its rodent counterpart.

Embracing tomato living means demonstrating an affinity for location-specific aesthetics – think Mediterranean holidays, European city breaks, and lots and lots of red. TikTok is awash with people embracing neutral colours, eating bruschetta, and living the slow life.

Culminating in the rejection of fast-paced and always-on hustle culture, this trend sees people switch off and experience what it's like to live outside of their reality. Travelling to Europe via platforms like TikTok, and co-opting aesthetics that seem removed from their everyday lives, tomato girls are cosplaying alternate realities both physically and digitally.

Bed rotting

If you are after a guilt-free lazy summer with no plans, then bed rotting may be the trend for you. With over 220 million views on TikTok, bed rotting is the antithesis of feeling overworked, overwhelmed, and overstimulated. The movement encourages people to take time out of their hectic schedules and spend the day in bed, completely free of guilt.

Attributed to TikToker @g0bra77y in June 2023, bed rotters stay in bed as long as they like reading a book, watching Netflix, or simply dozing the day away. While it's less public-facing than the other two movements, bed rotting comes from the same place. It's about self-care and self-preservation, and taking time out to relax in a non-performative way.

There have been suggestions that bed rotting is another example of Gen Z being a lazy generation, but that view is a little short-sighted. The difference between Gen Z and their predecessors is that if they feel like they need to switch off and stay in bed for a day, then they’ll do it. No questions asked.

The common thread that runs through these summer '23 movements is that Zers are putting their needs first. They're giving themselves the time, space and tools they need to thrive despite what's going on in the world around them.

They are making their case for what's acceptable and what isn't this summer, and many outside this generation are embracing this change in pace and dynamics.

Whether that means scurrying around the park with friends, dressing in Mediterranean-inspired outfits with lots of linen, or sleeping the day away, Gen Z is re-writing the rules about what self-care looks like for everyone this summer season.