Why Are We Obsessed With ‘That Girl’—and Is She Even Real?
“Look at her, she is so that girl”, “Her life just screams that girl”, “I wish I could be like and have that lifestyle”
That girl aesthetic. This trend took the internet by storm. The That Girl aesthetic is a self-improvement-focused lifestyle that blends wellness, productivity, and effortless beauty. It’s about becoming the best version of yourself—physically, mentally, and aesthetically—while making it all look seamless. The aesthetic is often seen on social media platforms like Pinterest, and Instagram, where creators showcase their morning routines, healthy meals, and structured yet dreamy lives.
Core Aspects of the That Girl Aesthetic
1. Morning routine & Daily Habits
The That Girl persona starts her day early-usually between 5-6 AM because productivity begins at sunrise. She follows a structured morning routine that typically includes
- Lemon water or matcha latte for hydration
- Journaling about gratitude, intentions, and personal growth
- A to-do list for the day so she is on top of her productivity game
- A workout (Pilates, yoga, or a light gym session)
- A skincare routine that results in a naturally glowing complexion
- A healthy breakfast like a smoothie bowl or avocado toast
The idea is to start the day with intention and mindfulness, setting the tone for an organized and successful life.
2. Health & Wellness
Being That Girl means prioritizing health—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too.
- Eating whole, nutritious foods like protein bowls, green smoothies, and herbal teas
- Drinking at least 2 litres of water a day (bonus points for a cute pastel water bottle)
- Prioritizing mental health through meditation and mindfulness
- Sticking to a consistent sleep schedule for better rest
It’s about creating a balanced life where self-care isn’t a luxury but a necessity.
3. Fashion & Beauty
That Girl has a minimal yet polished style. She always looks effortlessly chic, often sporting:
- Neutral-toned outfits (beige, white, black, and sage green dominate)
- A slicked-back bun or natural waves
- Gold jewellery (small hoops, dainty necklaces)
- White sneakers or stylish loafers
- No-makeup makeup look (think dewy skin, glossy lips, and brushed-up brows)
Her fashion choices are timeless, comfortable, and elegant without being overly complicated.
- Productivity & Self-Growth
This aesthetic is heavily tied to ambition and self-improvement. That Girl is a master of time management and balances work, study, and hobbies gracefully.
- She reads self-improvement books (like Atomic Habits or The Mountain Is You)
- She plans her day using a journal or Notion
- She is always learning new things (a new language, skill, or creative hobby)
- She keeps her space clean and organized because a tidy space equals a tidy mind
Being That Girl isn’t just about looking aesthetic—it’s about cultivating a lifestyle that makes you feel your best.
5. Social Media & Digital Detoxing
While That Girl is often associated with curated social media content, the lifestyle also emphasizes mindful consumption of digital media.
- She takes breaks from social media to focus on real-life moments
- She unfollows negativity and surrounds herself with inspiring content
- She practices digital minimalism, keeping her feed clean and intentional
The Appeal: Why can’t we get enough of that girl
She represents the “Perfect” Life
Let’s be real: That Girl embodies everything we wish we could be—productive, healthy, stylish, and completely in control of her life. In a world where chaos reigns (hello, burnout culture), That Girl offers an illusion of order and balance.
Psychology Behind It: We crave structure and routine, and That Girl makes it look not just achievable, but aesthetic.
Social Media Makes It Look Easy
On TikTok and Instagram, That Girl lives in a perfectly lit apartment, wakes up with glowing skin, and never has a bad day. But what we see is a curated highlight reel, not reality.
Reality Check: No one films the days when they sleep through their alarm, skip workouts, or eat ice cream straight from the tub. But those days exist—even for That Girl.
Scrolling through TikTok, you’d think That Girl was born with a celery juice in one hand and a five-step morning routine in the other. She wakes up at 5 AM and somehow does not sweat after Pilates. But Revivo isn’t buying it. This new lifestyle magazine isn’t in the business of selling another impossible aesthetic, it’s here to dissect the ones we’ve already bought from pop culture, commentary, and a reality check in equal measure. Because if perfection were the key, Billie Eilish wouldn’t have imposter syndrome despite her seven Grammys. Revivo dissects exact such paradoxes, where even the most accomplished elites question their worth. Maybe “That Girl” does too, right before she resets her alarm for 4:59 AM.
It Feels Like Self-Improvement (But Is It?)
At its core, the aesthetic seems to promote healthy habits—waking up early, exercising, eating well, and focusing on personal growth. But when it becomes about looking productive rather than actually feeling good, it turns into just another unrealistic standard.
The Question: Are we adopting healthy habits, or are we just performing them for the aesthetic?
Life is messy. Bills pile up, work is stressful, and sometimes we eat chips for dinner. But That Girl creates a fantasy where life is soft, slow, and effortlessly beautiful. It’s a form of escapism—a way to feel like the main character of your own life.
The Appeal: It’s not just about being productive—it’s about making everyday moments feel special.
The Role of Social Media in the That Girl Obsession
Curated Perfection: The polished, aesthetic videos on TikTok and Instagram don’t show the messy parts of life—just the highlight reel. This makes it seem like That Girl is effortlessly put together all the time.
Global Influence: Trends spread rapidly, making That Girl a universal aspiration, from New York to Paris to Seoul to Mumbai. Everyone wants a piece of that dreamy, structured lifestyle.
Consumerism & Branding: The aesthetic has been monetized—brands sell That Girl planners, workout sets, skincare products, and even curated “morning routine” kits. It’s no longer just about habits—it’s about buying into the aesthetic.
Aesthetic Over Authenticity: Social media makes it seem like only certain hobbies (journaling, Pilates, thrifting, etc.) fit the aesthetic, subtly discouraging individuality. It implies that if you don’t enjoy these specific things, you’re doing self-improvement wrong.
The Illusion of the "Perfect Life"
The biggest trap of the That Girl aesthetic is that it can make people feel like they’re failing if they don’t follow the routine exactly. But in reality, life isn’t always perfectly planned—sometimes you skip the gym, sleep in, or eat instant noodles instead of an aesthetic smoothie bowl. And that’s okay. You should be happy with what you’re doing and create your own that girl aesthetic, which doesn’t stress you out but makes you enjoy life more.
So, Should We Even Try to Be That Girl?
YES—if it makes you feel good. If waking up early, drinking matcha, and journaling genuinely improves your life, go for it.
NO—if it’s just about aesthetics. If you’re forcing yourself into a routine just to fit an online trend, it’s not sustainable.
The Key? Take What Works & Leave the Rest.
You don’t need to follow the That Girl aesthetic exactly. Take what actually benefits you and ignore the rest. Your version of self-improvement doesn’t need to be Instagrammable to be real.
At the end of the day, the real That Girl is the one who’s happy—whether she drinks green smoothies or eats pizza in bed.
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