How to Become “That Girl” — Realistically

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!