A new sub-genre of girl has emerged on TikTok. The phrase ‘that girl’ is now being used on TikTok to describe girls who appear to have their lives together. Suddenly, my TikTok ‘for you page’ is flooded with young girls that fit the description of – or are in pursuit of – becoming ‘that girl’ themselves.
The ‘that girl’ aesthetic is being promoted by TikTok users as a lifestyle that incorporates working out regularly, eating mindfully, practicing self-care, and maintaining a positive attitude. However, the pursuit of becoming ‘that girl’ causes some young girls harm. Being ‘that girl’ is clearly associated with owning expensive products such as the Dyson Air Wrap, a hairstyling kit that costs upwards of $600. It’s also associated with designer brands like Aritzia and Lululemon.
TikTok’s rise in popularity, particularly during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, seems to correlate with the internet user’s increased interest in self-care. Many of our ‘for you pages’ have been filled with girls documenting their skincare routines, workout routines and outfits of the day. Many young individuals have used the spare time they gained during quarantine for self-improvement. TikTok is being used as an outlet to express self-growth quests but also to create a new standard.
There’s a certain beauty in girls collectivizing through social media to identify things they collectively enjoy. In this new age, old patriarchal pressure to not be ‘like other girls’ carries less weight. Now, we can all enjoy the same things without fear of judgment and celebrate our similarities.
But for some people, trying to become ‘that girl’ likely relates to trying to be something other than the girl one already is. It’s worth reflecting on who benefits from this new trend and what it means for those who follow it religiously.
Young girls are one of the most profitable demographics for companies to target. Innocent trends like ‘that girlism’ are often taken advantage of by companies who aim to market and sell their products. My friends and I buy things we see others raving about on our ‘for you pages’.
The other question left to be addressed is: what happens to those consumed by their journey to become this idealized version of the perfect girl?
I still feel pretty guilty when I think back on my poor use of time during those early quarantine days- and I’m not the only one. I still can’t whip up an Emily Mariko-style meal from scratch. I haven’t picked up the habit of regularly going to the gym (yet). The pressure to lead an ornamental yet productive lifestyle is easy to fixate on. In reality, being happy and healthy requires an individually personalized balance between relaxing and being productive. It’s exhausting being a girl in the digital age. Avoiding the dozens of different trends shoved down our throats every few months requires an almost meditative level of passivity.
It isn’t natural to base our lives on the pursuit of becoming ‘that girl’ if it feels more like a duty than an exciting challenge. I think many girls face the subconscious pressure to buy an Aritzia fleece set and somehow find happiness through its purchase. Just remember that in a couple of months, there will be a new concept of happiness that we girls will be encouraged to chase after.