
The “That Girl” trend seems to be dying out, at least on my feed. But it was all the craze on Tik Tok and Instagram, as well as YouTube. The trend received lots of criticism because it promotes “unrealistic” standard, others defended it by saying that being “That Girl” is all about being the best version of yourself. I can see both sides. Living your best life is something I can get behind. How ever, “That Girl” implies “Not That Other Girl” which is where it becomes toxic in my opinion. Life is not a competition. Everyone has different goals and ideal life looks different to everyone. So here are some tips to become your best self in a way that’s realistic to you.
Take inspiration, but do not compare yourself to the images you see on social media.
If some “That Girl” social media contents inspire you, that is great! But always remember that the imagery is just that, an image. It’s all fabricated for the camera. Real life is often not aesthetic at all. It has ups as well as downs. Even the highlights of your life aren’t always going to be photogenic. Remember that life exists outside of your phone.
Focus on what matters to you.
Maybe you don’t want to wake up at 5AM. Maybe you don’t care for fashion or makeup at all. Maybe your interest is in something entirely different. Like I said, trying to follow what you see others do on social media is not the way to go. Think hard about what you want in life and incorporate steps towards those goals into your routine.
Focus on your future.
I’m surprised the “That Girl” trend imagery doesn’t feature much study or work. Perhaps that’s because most of the girls posting about being “That Girl” are influencers whose job is being on social media. But you need to focus on your career, whether it’s academic, at a 9 to 5, or your own business. Work hard to better not only your present self but your future as well.
Focus on your mental health.
“That Girl” trend shows some mental health related activities like journaling and meditating, but it’s somewhat superficial. That’s because true self-reflection and healing cannot be caught on camera. Give yourself the time you need to figure things out. Be kind to yourself. Get off social media if you find yourself feeling down about your self-image.
Do eat healthy and exercise.
The one thing “That Girl” trend has it right is the health and fitness aspect. However, it’s not about the pretty avocado toast and coordinated gym outfits; it doesn’t have to be aesthetic. As I’ve re-started my fitness journey, I’ve once again realized that the path to physical health is often grueling, and come with many setbacks. It’s still worth it. Drink lots of water, even if you don’t have any lemons!
This is a really great post sharing some really helpful suggestions. Thank you for sharing.
Lauren
Thank you! 😊
I like the way you wrote this! I’ve been slightly uncomfortable with the “That Girl” trend because it seems like a way to make others just idealize you and your “perfect life” (online) so much more. But the way you talked about it here really just shows that it can mean something much more positive and helpful in the long run! Great article!
Thank you! Shifting the focus from what I see online to my real life definitely helped me and I’m hoping it helps others as well.
Precisely! I don’t have Tiktok but I do see a lot of “that girl” day in a life routine and I don’t personally attract towards it. I’d rather see a realistic morning routine by a blogger/influencer who doesn’t pretend. I love the advice you gave. Refrain from comparing because what good does that do? It will only bring you down further. Stay true and focused on yourself without having to impress other people.
I love it!
Thank you! Not focusing on impressing others is so important
Ooh fab suggestions! I’ve never really been a fan of the “That Girl” trend but I think you’ve put a really positive spin on it. I think focusing on the future and things like work and school are so incredibly important, and I really need to develop more of a health and fitness routine. Thanks for sharing x
Good luck on developing your fitness routine! Thanks ❤️