Here’s why “achievement cakes” are popping up as the latest self-validation trend

Videos of people introducing themselves as they decorate cakes with handwritten notes about their 2025 wins are all over TikTok. Here's why.

The achievement cake trend is a way for people to celebrate accomplishments and personal growth. The trend got big toward the end of 2025 as social media users made content featuring the cakes to reflect on the past year.

@graciekramer8/TikTok, @mo.ofjumzs/TikTok, @bytesofbree/TikTok

Individuals, groups, and couples gather...