Like, I keep seeing more and more ads about things I only thought about while not looking up anything online about it. For example: after I got out of the shower this morning I thought about how I needed to apply cream on my arms to prevent dry skin. It was only a thought that took me a few seconds. And minutes later I receive an ad on Instagram about dry skin.
I have never even googled dry skin. I didn't say anything about it to anyone lol. And I get the ad the day I think about it? These things keep happening more and more for some reason.
I know it's not possible and I promise I'm not going insane or anything, so don't lock me up lol. Just an observation.
It's likely operating the other way around. You've been being conditioned to think "I need to apply cream, I don't want dry skin" by the ads, posts and other media you've been targeted with. It was probably quite subtle to start with, but you'll have been getting related ads for a while and ignoring them. It's dark patterns all the way.