Cracking the Code: Unveiling the Unspoken Rules of Parenthood
May 12, 2025By Anika Joshi
You thought TikTok trends couldn’t surprise you anymore—then your teen walked in with streaks of silver-purple hair and a sheepish grin, saying, “I tried to be the moon.”
Wait, what?
If you’ve been hearing about this cryptic, poetic, slightly chaotic trend and wondering whether it’s a metaphor, a meltdown, or both—you're not alone. Well, this is the “I Tried to Be the Moon” era of TikTok, where hair dye becomes self-expression, rebellion, and therapy all rolled into one.
Read this article to explore what this trend is and what it actually means for you as a parent.
What Is the “I Tried to Be the Moon” Trend?
The trend began with a viral audio clip featuring the soft, melancholic phrase: “I tried to be the moon in your night sky, but I burned myself trying to glow.”
It's dreamy. It’s dramatic. It’s classic Gen Z.
Teens started pairing the audio with videos of their own hair transformations—usually involving silver, icy blonde, or moon-like hues—and then showing the sometimes-glorious, sometimes-disastrous results.
The Trend Is More Than Just Hair
This trend is more about self-discovery. Hair becomes the canvas for emotions that feel too big to say out loud.
- For some, it’s heartbreak. A breakup, a friend fallout, or just a bad day can spark the need to do something—anything—that feels like taking control.
- For others, it’s identity. Tweens and teens are figuring out who they are. Silver hair? It says, “I’m different.” Or maybe, “I’m soft, strong, sad, magical”—all at once.
- It’s also about community. On TikTok, kids see others being vulnerable, transforming themselves, and getting thousands of supportive comments. It’s catharsis with a like button.
Parents: It’s Okay to Feel Alarmed
Seeing your child bleach their hair in the bathroom at midnight can feel like a crisis. But most of the time, it’s not rebellion—it’s a rite of passage.
Here are some effective tips that can actually help
- Ask, don’t assume. Try saying “Tell me about the hair choice?” instead of “What did you DO?”
- Offer guidance, not panic. If the dye job went south, lend a hand or book a salon fix. They’ll remember your calm more than the catastrophe.
- Stay curious. Trends like these are windows into your child’s emotional world. If they’re quoting poetry and bleaching their bangs, something’s stirring underneath. That’s worth knowing.
Should You Let Them Do It?
It depends on age, school rules, and your family’s boundaries—but when it’s safe and doesn’t risk damage, hair can be a harmless way to explore identity.
Besides, unlike tattoos or face piercings, hair grows back. Fast.
Letting them have this moment might help avoid bigger rebellion down the road—and maybe even strengthen your connection.
Conclusion
The “I Tried to Be the Moon” trend is weird, beautiful, and heartbreakingly adolescent. It’s part metaphor, part makeover, and entirely Gen Z.
So whether your kid ends up with a perfect silver bob or a patchy dye disaster, they’re trying to glow.
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