403 | OnlyParks, Thirst Traps & The Shift No One Is Talking About

Marketing is already a lot right now… so today we’re taking a tiny break from the chaos to talk about something fun, unexpected, and lowkey brilliant.

National parks are going viral on TikTok.

And not in the way you’d expect.

We’re talking cinematic landscapes… paired with sultry, audiobook-style voiceovers… basically thirst traps for trees, geysers, and mountains.

Yes. Really.

But here’s the thing—this trend isn’t just funny. It’s a masterclass in how attention works right now.

In this episode, I break down:

  • What the OnlyParks trend actually is
  • Why it’s blowing up across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and beyond
  • The psychology behind why we stop, watch, and share this kind of content
  • And most importantly… how you can apply these same ideas to your own marketing (without becoming a national park 😅)

What You’ll Learn

  • Why pattern interruption is one of the fastest ways to grab attention online
  • How emotional content (humor, surprise, curiosity) drives shares more than “helpful tips”
  • The real reason low-effort, low-pressure content is outperforming polished videos
  • What “borrowed context” is—and how trends like OnlyParks use it to their advantage
  • Why you don’t need new ideas… just better angles
  • How to actually participate in trends without it feeling forced or cringey

The Big Takeaway

This trend works because it’s:

  • Simple
  • Unexpected
  • Emotional
  • Easy to create
  • And actually fun

Which is… the opposite of how most people are approaching their marketing right now.

If your content has been feeling heavy, overthought, or like a chore… this episode is your permission slip to try something lighter.

Real-Time Experiment: No Pressure Post Party

I’m recording this episode in the middle of my No Pressure Post Party, a live experiment where I’m:

  • Showing up without overthinking
  • Posting without perfection
  • Letting content be simple and a little messy

And honestly?

My most viewed video so far was filmed while I was sick… in a bonnet… pointing at my screen 😭

Low production. High response.

There’s a lesson there.

Try This

Instead of asking:
“What should I post?”

Try asking:

  • What would make someone stop scrolling?
  • What feeling do I want this to create?
  • How can I say the same thing… in a more interesting way?

Resources & Links

Final Thought

What would your version of OnlyParks look like?

And what would happen if your marketing felt… that easy?

Enjoyed the Episode?

If this one made you think (or laugh), make sure to:

  • Rate & review on Apple Podcasts
  • Hit follow on Spotify
  • Share it with a friend who’s overthinking their content

It helps more than you know 💛

Picture of Andréa Jones
Andréa Jones is a content and marketing strategist who helps brands and creators simplify their marketing with human-first, AI-smart strategies. With over a decade of experience, she’s designed scalable content systems, guided thousands of business owners through social media’s constant shifts, and produced resources that have reached over 5,000 students worldwide. She’s also the host of the award-winning Mindful Marketing Podcast, where she shares practical strategies for building sustainable, stress-free marketing that actually works.