Life is far from perfect unless you are on social media, or at least it is for those obsessing over the #ThatGirl trend which has taken the internet by storm. Born in the lockdown on TikTok, the viral #ThatGirl aesthetic is making follow people ‘perfect’ morning rituals, and daily routine and chronicle them on social media. The hashtag is garnering about 800 million views. Internet’s new wellness craze is inspiring netizens to “become that girl” and post their own pictures while following daily habits and routines that allow them to be “healthy mentally, physically, and spiritually.”
What is the #ThatGirl trend anyway?A reboot of ‘Hot Girl Summer,’ and ‘Boss Girl’ aesthetics, “that girl,” trend is encouraging people to wake up early, eat a healthy breakfast comprising green smoothies or granola, exercise, write journals, follow a skincare routine, meditate, sleep on time, follow an elaborate bedtime ritual etc., pushing people to lead a healthier lifestyle, invest in self-care and be better versions of themselves. The trend started in April this year and still trending with billions of people across the globe going after it.
'The trend has helped me manage my time well, take control of my life'“Sharing one’s daily routine is nothing new, but the trend is inspiring young women to become ‘perfect’ by pushing oneself to do what’s good for their body and mind,” says 21-year-old Jasmine S from Pune, adding, “The trend has taught me to focus on self-care unlike other social media trends wherein people chase mindless stuff like trying on makeup, dance etc.”
Pic: iStock Similarly, Kiran Singh, 23, is grateful for the trend that has helped me manage my time well, take control of my life, and stay productive,” says the finance student, who seemed to have lost both motivation and track of time during the lockdown. She adds, “Suddenly everyone on my timeline was trying to be ‘that girl.’ I have been following the routine for the last three months. Waking up at 6 am, running for 4 km, eating cereals and salads, following the Korean skincare regime among other stuff that I hadn’t tried before. Today, I am sleeping better, have been able to deal with insomnia, my skin is glowing and I feel mentally at peace.”
Why do some netizens find the trend problematic?
Pic: iStock “While the trend is motivating one to opt for a better lifestyle, at some level it is also toxic because young women are striving to get control of their life. In a quest to be 'that girl' They are compelled to live the lives that others are living and feel incompetent and incomplete if they don't wake up early or exercise, which can take a toll on their minds," says Dr Raghav Shah, a psychologist from Delhi.
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