The truth behind the "That Girl"-Trend

At first glance, the That Girl trend seems mostly harmless - even inspiring. But what's really behind it? Let's take a closer look today, here on Girlhood Diaries. As always, feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments!

For a while now, the That Girl and Clean Girl trends have been all over TikTok and other social media platforms. They promise the "perfect" daily routine, the flawless look, the ideal lifestyle - and so many girls try to fit into this image. The beauty standard behind it? Often it means blonde hair, clear, light skin, and a slim body. But what does this do to us? What's wrong with this trend - and how can we become That Girl in our own, healthy, real way?

The "That Girl"-Trend:

The trend got popular because of TikTok and Instagram, in 2021. After the lockdown, everyone wanted to be the best version of themself. Which isn't bad, but some things are a bit questionable.

And fun fact: The hashtag #ThatGirl has over 4 billion views on TikTok alone (as of 2024).

There are two types of this trend: "That Girl", the main part of it, and "Clean Girl", a component of it. But what's the difference, and what do these terms even mean?

That Girl:

This part of the trend is based on a lifestyle. It's a girl, that has everything under control. She wakes up early, drinks green smoothies, meditates, does yoga or pilates, keeps a journal, eats healthy, is minimalistic and aesthetic. Which sounds good, at first. "That Girl" stands for self-optimization, wellness, and aesthetics - but also for a highly staged lifestyle. It's a mix of motivation, idealization, and social media staging.

Clean Girl:

This part is based on the appereance. The "Clean Girl"-Look is like the beauty part of the That Girl-Trend: a no-makeup-makeup, slicked back hair, shiny and clear skin, simple golden earrings. The goal is to look effortlessly perfect - as if you had just gotten out of bed, but consciously groomed and radiant. It's inspired by celebrities like Hailey Bieber or Sofia Richie.

That Girl beauty standards:

If you have TikTok or Instagram, you've probably seen countless videos showing the perfect skincare routine or makeup look. But have you ever noticed something? Most of the girls and young women in these videos tend to look pretty similar. That's because the That Girl trend promotes a very specific beauty standard: blonde, straight hair, light eyes, clear skin, fair complexion, and a slim body.

This isn't to criticize anyone who naturally looks like this - of course that's beautiful too - but it unfairly ignores the huge diversity that exists among girls. The trend has often been called out for being one-sided and for implying that anyone who doesn't match this narrow image - for example, girls with curly hair, darker skin, acne, or a different body type - is somehow "messy" or "not clean" enough. Because if a girl isn't a "Clean Girl", what is she then? A "dirty" girl? This has been discussed many times on the internet.

Many beautiful, diverse girls try to fit themselves into this mold, but that can be really damaging to mental health and self-esteem. Constantly comparing yourself can make you feel like you're never good enought. But the truth is, it would be boring if every girl looked the same, wouldn't it? Our differences are what makes us unique - and human.

The truth behind it:

While the trend tries to appear minimalistic and effortless, most of the photos and videos are carefully staged: perfect lighting, filters, and editing can make skin look flawless when reality is far from it. And influencers rarely show how much time, money, and effort goes into this "effortless" look - like expensive skincare, gym memberships, or new clothes.

So yes, you've probably heard it a million times, but it's worth repeating: don't believe everything you see online. Much of the That Girl image is fake and highly curated. Real beauty isn't one-size-fits-all - and no filter can ever capture who you truly are.

The problem with perfectionism:

The That Girl trend doesn't just set beauty standards - it also creates this idea that you need to be perfect in every part of your life. Waking up at 5 AM, journaling, doing yoga, eating only healthy food, having a spotless room, getting amazing grades - all while looking flawless.

It sounds inspiring at first, but it can easily turn into pressure. If you don't check off every box every single day, you feel like you're failing. But here's the truth: nobody is perfect all the time. Life is messy - some days you don't want to work out or eat a salad. Some days your room is messy, or you don't feel productive at all. And that's okay.

Trying too hard to be perfect can actually make you feel worse about yourself. Instead of enjoying life and small successes, you're always chasing an impossible ideal. We need to remember: it's better to be real than perfect. Small steps, rest days, and mistakes are all part of growing. You don't have to be That Girl - you can just be yourself.

How to be your own That Girl:

So, instead of trying to fit into an unrealistic mold, let's find out how you can become ypur own version of "That Girl". It's not about being perfect - it's about creating healthy, feel-good habits that work for you and make you happy. Here are a few ideas to inspire you:

1. Find your own version

   Instead of copying everything, ask yourself: What makes me happy? Maybe you enjoy journaling - or you don't. Maybe sport motivates you - or you rather just take a walk.

2. Small steps, no extremes

   You don't have to wake up at 5 AM. Start with small routines that are good for you. For example: drink a glass of water every morning, read a book for 10 minutes before going to bed.

   
   

3. Take care of yourself - for yourself

   Do skin-care, self-care or whatever you like, but whithout stress. Beauty isn't a competition, but self-love.

4. Clean up social media

   Follow people who inspire you, not those who make you feel bad.

5. Celebrate your imperfection

   Have days where you do nothing, or eat pizza instead of a smoothie. This doesn't make you less "clean" - it makes you more human.

6. Your environment counts

   Design your room or desk the way you like it - whether minimalistic or chaotic and creative.

7. Give yourself breaks

   Productivity doesn't mean not taking breaks. Real "That Girls" know when to relax.

8. Be kind to yourself

   Talk to yourself the way you would talk to your best friend.

So instead of copying every trend, create your own version. The real That Girl is not someone who's perfect 24/7 - she's someone who knows what makes her feel good and healthy inside and out. Sometimes that means journaling and smoothies, sometimes that means watching Netflix and eating ice cream in bed. And that's perfectly fine.

At the end of the day, you don't need to look or live like someone else to be That Girl. You are already enough - with your own dreams, your own beauty, and your won way of living. Trends will come and go, but who you truly are stays. So create your own version of the life you want, one small step at a time, and don't let any filter tell you otherwise.

I'd love to hear your thoughts! How do you try to stay true to yourself while trying to grow? Drop your ideas, your own tips, or your opinions in the comments - let's inspire each other to build healthy, happy lives together.

Until next time - keep shining, and remember: You are already "That Girl", just as you are.

XOXO,

Seraphine