You’ve seen the TikToks, the vlogs, and the Instagram posts. They depict the perfect picture, mirroring a lot of women’s fantasies. She wakes up early in the morning, makes herself tea, usually matcha. She gets ready for her day and heads to the gym. Her skin and hair always look flawless, and her room is always kept perfectly clean. She’s never behind on schoolwork, as she has an immaculate planner to keep track of everything.
Just to be clear, this is not in any way to put down other women who make this content. It’s just an analysis as to why many of us young girls and women are so fascinated with their content, including myself. Social media gives us a way to connect and very often allows us to dream a little more. With so many influencers making this content, it’s easy to get into the habit of comparing yourself to others. Sometimes, we forget that our productivity and success have to be held regarding our own standards, not someone else’s.
Why do we love this content so much? I mean, how many times have you seen a routine like this on TikTok, and decided to follow their regimen? You wish you had the strength to start your day every day at 5 am, crank out some super productive hours on your school work and your jobs, and go to the gym every day. But you won’t always start your day early and you won’t always have time to head to the gym. And I’m here to tell you, that’s okay.
Productivity is defined as the efficiency of a productive effort, especially in industry. If you have used your day to accomplish a goal of yours, then you are by definition being productive. However, don’t underestimate the power of productivity or your ambition. We aspire to become H.E.R. because it reminds us of one commonality in all humans: the desire to become better than we were the day before. And there’s nothing wrong with that. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to better yourself. Change is a good thing, people, that’s why they call it growth. But I would like to remind you that your success is not defined by anyone else’s terms but your own. Your ideal self is not going to look like someone else’s, and that’s perfectly fine. It’s your growth, emphasis on the word “yours.”