Becoming That Girl in 2022

“Rebranding” for the New Year

January 1st, 2022

On New-Year’s Eve, I fell asleep with high expectations for January 1st. Instead, I slept until noon and binge-watched Gossip Girl for the rest of the day. What happened to my original plan of starting the day bright and early with a matcha latte and a Peloton ride?

You’ve probably experienced this sudden lack of motivation before. It’s too easy to spend hours planning your future, but when it’s time to put the work in… you go back to bed. I was in that exact situation today, and mindlessly scrolling through TikTok did nothing but add to my guilt. Videos about how to be “that girl” polluted my feed. If you’re on TikTok, you’re already familiar with “that girl”. She supposedly has her life together- she’s organized, fit, successful, and happy. She wakes up at the crack of dawn and actually enjoys salads (no hate to salads). Everyone has their own idea of “that girl”- she represents who they desire to be.

I’ve noticed that the definition of “that girl” can become a little blurry. While she motivates some girls, she can also serve a reminder of everything they’re not. She is not meant to be the epitome of unattainable beauty and perfection. “That girl” can have both positive and negative effects on your mental health. Does she motivate you, or does she make you insecure? 

Personally, I find that focusing on “this girl” helps me maintain my sense of identity. You can pay attention to “this girl” by not feeling guilty for eating dessert, listening to your body when it comes to workouts, and occasionally sleeping in. Working on “this girl” instead of trying to be “that girl” can help you reach your highest potential. Going into 2022, cut yourself some slack- you made it through 2021!