Why "That Girl" Aesthetic Can Be Damaging
January is in full swing and so are the “new year, new me” campaigns. If you know me then you probably already know why I am really against these kind of marketing ploys. However, I’m not here today to talk about these. I am talking about a new health and wellness mantra filling all our social feeds on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube this new year. I am talking about “that girl”.
You know “that girl” - she’s the one who wakes up at 5am, gets in a workout, does some journalling, practices mindfulness and makes an entire healthy breakfast buffet from scratch before it’s even time to leave for work. She has it together at the office. She’s meal prepped all of her work lunches down to the homemade dressing. She’s laid back but she’s also killing it professionally and has a side hustle. She takes care of her skin and has a ten step routine that she never misses. That girl is perfect.
Whilst it can be fun to chase an aesthetic you found online, I think “that girl” is completely unattainable. It really pushes an all or nothing mindset and there is alot of pressure to make everything perfect. However, life can never be perfect and neither can you. But you shouldn’t want to be perfect either, because this version of you right now is more than enough. It’s not that you shouldn’t work on yourself or strive for personal goals or want more out of life. It’s that you need to accept the present, learn to love the body you’re in and start enjoying your life today. You don’t have to wait to become “that girl” to start living.
“That girl” lifestyle encourages toxic productivity and whilst it may seen motivating at first, it can actually lead to pretty bad burn out. I’ve already discussed why having a solid routine can be good for your confidence and mental health, however your routine needs to be realistic and manageable. Some days you probably could do the outlandish routine “that girl” has perfected but it is not sustainable to structure your day around being productive all the time.
Some days we need to take it slow. It’s both nourishing and calming for our bodies and minds to take periods of rest. Sleep in, read for pleasure, go for a walk, spend time with your family, watch your favourite movie, go out on dates, see your friends. Do things you enjoy. Don’t let “that girl” tell you that the only things worth doing in life are things that you can profit from or have a direct benefit to your physical form. Sure, having a secure job, steady income, exercising regularly, eating healthily and having a side hustle are great. But it is not all life is intended for. Live your life for you and don’t fall into the trap of being a product of forced productivity.