Since we are now in the fourth 202x year, are we already in the middle era of the 2020s? ???

Numerically on May 1, as the first 3 years and the first third of this year make up the first third of the decade. Culturally who knows. We might be in it already.

We've been in the Mid-2020's for about three months now, and it feels a lot different, mostly in good ways. The COVID pandemic was declared officially over in May, and it's the closest we've been to the pre-pandemic normal if we're not already there. There are still some causes of concern like the climate crisis, inflation, and of course if you're Ukrainian or married to one then the continuing war over there.

Pop-culture seems to be in kind of a void and the writers/actors strike might cause another delay and shifting around of movies and series releases, after 2023 was the biggest box office year since 2019 and a return to the cinemas vs direct streaming releases during the pandemic. Aesthetically I notice a lot of bright neon colors, particularly hot pink during the summer of '23 due to the Barbiecore craze, but colorful clothing was around earlier than that, like with Harry Styles in 2022. Musically I'm noticing a revival in EDM/Eurodance music but a variety of other genres as well, including country. Although some of the music still sounds the same as the retro-pop of the early 2020's, and it seems to be a mix of other time periods in the past.

  Aesthetically I notice a lot of bright neon colors, particularly hot pink during the summer of '23 due to the Barbiecore craze


I'm confused about this. I seem to recall that back in the 60s when my cousins played with a Barbie that the doll had many clothes in all colors. It seemed to be the point. Like a whole fashion thing. There were even little tiny shoes in many colors. How come she is only associated with pink now? Something seems to have changed.
???