I tend to be the last person to find out about memes and different TikTok sounds, so when the internet started posting about how they were suddenly so demure and mindful, I was confused. But after hearing the sound for the first time, I immediately couldn't help but think of the different women in fiction I would define as demure and mindful. Whenever I hear those words together, I think of class and poise, so I now give you the fictional heroines I feel will help you emulate being demure and mindful.
1. Daphne Bridgerton from The Duke & I by Julia Quinn
Where the rest of the Bridgerton siblings are chaos incarnate, and I mean that as a compliment, Daphne sets an example that is full of class and poise. She knows what she is looking for, knows how to get it, and is determined to be the most beautiful woman in the room at the same time. She presents the ideal and demure type of woman the ton, and surprisingly the Duke, are looking for.
The Duke and I is available through HarperCollins Publishing
2. Evelyn Hugo The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The epitome of old Hollywood, Evelyn Hugo is a movie star who is known for her style. While she might not be the most demure person on the planet, how she presents herself is incredibly mindful at all times. She knows how to get the reaction she wants from her audience - whether they be while she's on-screen or through her paparazzi. The public views her as full of style and class - which clashes with her incredibly crazy personal life.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is available through Simon and Schuster
3. Tea Pahlavi from The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco
A book on necromancy might not feel demure and mindful, however, it is one that wants you to look past the stereotype. Throughout the novel, Tea is trained in manners, how to look, how to eat, how to fight, and how to do magic - and all must be done as gracefully and demurely as possible. It's a fantastic look at the work it takes to present yourself this way while showing off the dark side that comes with it being your exclusive focus.
The Bone Witch is available through Amazon
4. Indigo Maxwell-Casteñada from The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokski
Indigo Maxwell-Casteñada is a woman who doesn't seem like she's from this world. Every outfit is perfect, and she will never be someone to have a hair out of place - though if she did, it would look as if she meant it to be that way. She effortlessly glides in and out of the world we know, gracing it with her presence, while hiding in a world of her creation. Of all the women on this list, she is the most demure and mindful about her appearance while also being the most mysterious.
The Last Tale of the Flower Bride is available through HarperCollins Publishers
5. Celine Rousseau from The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh
As a dressmaker, Celine Rousseau learned from the rich how to be demure and mindful. However, those skills are essential after fleeing a tragedy and traveling to New Orleans as one of the historical Casket Girls. And where catching a husband should be easy, it turns out it's a lot harder in a city of vampires, magic, and serial killers. Celine does an amazing job at trying to balance others' expectations of how she should look and act while staying true to herself, even if it means falling in love with the one vampire she never should have met.
The Beautiful is available through Penguin Teen