The Up & Coming Magazine

Every spring, my social media feed starts to feel the same. It’s filled with curated, overly aesthetic lifestyle videos—soft lighting, fresh flowers, and titles like “self-care habits you can do this spring to become that girl.”

For a minute, it makes you feel like you’re only a few habits away from being her.

From what I’ve noticed, these videos all follow the same structure.

• Drink more water.
• Eat cleaner.
• Move your body.
• Wake up earlier.
• Journal.
• Take care of your skin.

Simple habits—repeated over and over again, just packaged a little differently each time.

The advice rarely changes—only the aesthetic does.

Working out isn’t just working out anymore. It’s Pilates or barre, spin classes in matching sets. Movement becomes something styled—something that looks as good as it feels. Even the way we take care of our bodies starts to follow a certain aesthetic.

It shows up in the way we eat, too. It’s no longer just grabbing a quick meal—it’s trips to places like Sweetgreen or Clean Juice, or ordering a green smoothie from your local spot. Eating becomes something curated, something that’s meant to look as good as it is healthy.

Is this really realistic—or attainable—for the average, everyday twenty-something?

The answer?

Probably not.

Most days aren’t slow or perfectly put together. They’re busy, a little messy, and constantly moving. And somehow, that version of life never makes it into the videos.

Overall, the ideas themselves are good.

Absolutely.

Meal prep.

Drink water first thing—maybe a squeeze of lemon if you’re feeling it.

Work out, move your body.

All the things.

I think the “that girl” trend was never really about becoming someone else.

It was about becoming a better version of yourself—just without the pressure of doing it perfectly.

Somewhere along the way, it became less about how it feels to take care of yourself—and more about how it looks.

So don’t try to morph yourself into “that girl” this spring. Do things because you want to do them—because they make you feel better, not because they look aesthetic or fit a routine you saw online. The habits themselves aren’t unrealistic, but they’re meant to fit your life, not the other way around. And maybe that’s what actually makes it sustainable.

Image Source: Pexels, Winny Rivas