Photo of Staff Bona

In everything you do and say, be ‘Very demure. Very mindful’

Monthly grocery shopping might be a necessary evil, but doing it on a Tuesday morning – far from payday – takes the edge off the anxiety, at least a little.

Armed with a “Specials” leaflet and a carefully curated list, I wandered the aisles when a certain viral phrase popped into my head: “Very demure. Very mindful.”

Yes, the trend that’s taken over TikTok, where everyone seems to be living their lives through this ironic lens.

So there I was, very demure in my restraint from grabbing everything I wanted, yet very mindful of our budget because, let’s face it, food isn’t cheap. As I cruised past other shoppers, I couldn’t help but judge whether they too were being “Very demure. Very mindful” or just mindlessly throwing items into their carts.

The TikTok trend, by the ever-entertaining Jools Lebron (someone else claims they started it back in 2020 during the pandemic), is oddly relevant and undeniably funny – especially when used ironically.

Check out Jools in action:

@joolieannie #fyp #demure @OAKCHA @Paul | Fragrance Influencer ♬ original sound – Jools Lebron

Another must-watch clip:

@joolieannie #fyp #demure ♬ original sound – Jools Lebron

She’s the guide we didn’t know we needed, helping us navigate life’s little crises with that now-iconic phrase. And, of course, TikTokkers everywhere have hopped on the bandwagon.

The trend has a versatility that’s hard to resist. It’s perfect for making light of the funny, sad, or even mundane moments in our lives.

Whether you’re an influencer, a corporate guru, or just a regular person, it seems everyone’s living life “Very demure. Very mindful.

Watch how everyone is being cutesy (another Jools-approved phrase) with the viral trend.

@emiliekiser this had me rolling hahahaha?? very midfullllll #dayinmylife #momsoftiktok #comedy #relatable #demure #verydemure #midful #youngmom #justgirlythings ♬ original sound – 2poor4prada ☆゚.*・。゚

@goobigubbi and she is so cutesy #demure #grandma #family ♬ original sound – Goobi Gubbi

@kgaliikakes Remember to be mindful ??? #fyp #demure #mindful ♬ original sound – Jools Lebron

@betches Very demure, very mindful inspired by @Joolslebron @Bryan Russell Smith #demure #mindful #demuremindful #worklife #officelife ♬ original sound – Betches

@brentandmir i can get this work in my favor ?#verydemure #bemindful #marriedlife ♬ original sound – Brent & Mir

Words: Fame Frenzy

‘Pretty Girls Love Maskandi’ postponed following mass shooting in Strand

The Pretty Girls Love Maskandi event that was scheduled to take place in Strand has been postponed following the deadly mass shooting in Lwandle over the weekend. Also see: Prince of Maskandi: Sixolile Sotashe’s journey to stardom The event was set to bring together Maskandi lovers for a day of live performances, DJs, dancing and […]

Read more...

Pitso Mosimane praises Bafana trio after crucial win

Pitso Mosimane singled out several of his players for praise following Bafana Bafana’s winning start to 2027 AFCON qualifying, a 2-1 victory over Guinea on Saturday. Also see: Pitso Mosimane begins 2nd Bafana Bafana stint with crucial win Speaking to SABC Sport after the match, Mosimane acknowledged the quality of the opposition, while pointing to missed […]

Read more...

Court denies bail to CPUT student in attempted murder case

21-year-old Katlego Kgaswane, who attends the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and is accused of attempted murder, has been denied bail by the Bellville Magistrates’ Court. Also see: DJ Warras murder case takes new turn as 3rd suspect arrested Katlego Kgaswane appeared in court earlier today, 28 September 2026, for his final bail application. Kgaswane was […]

Read more...