I’m Not “That Girl” and it’s Okay if You're Not Either

Don’t hit snooze. Make your bed as soon as your feet touch the floor. Journal. Meditate. Work out. Make a healthy breakfast. And do it all before 6 o’clock in the morning. 

Routines like this have popped up across TikTok “For You” pages, Instagram feeds, and Youtube videos since the recent idealization of “that girl,” a trend that began to grow in popularity this past summer. The idea of “that girl” supposedly inspires girls to live their best lives. However, we at The Edge are not sure if that’s what it really does. 

For those unfamiliar with the “that girl” philosophy, it is founded on the ideas of self-improvement and growth, which is ultimately a good thing. It promotes healthy habits such as working out, practicing gratitude, and being productive. However, it simultaneously perpetuates the idea that self-love and happiness solely come from doing things outside of your normal routine, as most people don’t have the ability to follow the aesthetically pleasing lifestyle that is portrayed on social media. 

Between school work, social events, and jobs, college students are already forced to balance everything going on in their lives. The “that girl” lifestyle is unattainable for those that simply don’t have the time or money to dedicate to it. While social media can be an escape from our busy and stressful lives, this trend implies that girls simply aren’t doing enough, despite the amount of things we’re handling. 

These picture-perfect lives that girls are constantly exposed to distort our reality. The social media world sometimes insinuates that what you’re doing for yourself isn’t enough, and that is ultimately a toxic mindset to have. For people who struggle with mental health, it can be hard to even get out of bed in the morning. The idea that “that girl” lifestyle is what brings fulfillment unintentionally brings down those who might not have the capability to do six different things before seven in the morning. It creates a feeling of inadequacy and a sense of failure. This is when it becomes counterproductive to girls’ missions to better themselves. 

Self-love shouldn’t be tied to how many things you can get done or what food you eat or don’t eat. It should be a constant, not something that depends on your actions, and that is something that girls should strive to find, rather than a routine that is unsustainable. 

Life isn’t an aesthetic. Life can be messy, especially in college, and that is perfectly normal and GOOD! So, if you got out of bed this morning, brushed your teeth, and put on an outfit, good for you. Be proud of yourself because that IS enough for today.