The 2021-2022 TikTok trend of aspirational morning routines featuring 5AM wakes, green juice, workouts, and productivity that became toxic wellness critique symbol before “that girl is healing” backlash emerged.
The Aesthetic
Perfect morning formula (2021):
Typical routine:
- Wake 5-6 AM
- Lemon water, supplements
- Workout (pilates, yoga)
- Green smoothie
- Journaling, meditation
- Skincare routine (10 steps)
- Productive work before 9 AM
Visual: White minimalist apartment, neutral tones, curated chaos.
The fantasy: Pinterest board come to life.
TikTok Explosion
Algorithm amplification (April-August 2021):
Why it viral:
- Aspirational lifestyle
- “Clean girl” aesthetic overlap
- Pandemic self-improvement energy
- Satisfying time-lapse routines
Peak: Summer 2021 (billions of views)
The addiction: Watching others be productive.
Influencer Origins
Who popularized:
Early adopters:
- Wellness influencers
- Fitness creators
- “Lifestyle vloggers”
- Many white, thin, wealthy
The demographic: Narrow representation.
Products Pushed
Consumerism disguised:
Essential “That Girl” items:
- Expensive smoothie blenders ($400+)
- Designer workout sets
- Skincare ($300+ routines)
- Journals, planners
- Supplements, powders
Affiliate links: Everywhere
The commerce: Selling aspiration.
Criticism Mounts
Backlash emerged (Late 2021):
Arguments:
- Unattainable for working people
- Privilege (time, money, flexibility)
- One body type shown
- Productivity toxicity
- Perfectionism fuel
The reckoning: Who has this life?
”That Girl is Healing”
Counter-trend (2022):
New narrative:
- Rest is productive
- Sleeping in okay
- Messy mornings valid
- Mental health > aesthetics
The pivot: Self-compassion replacing self-optimization.
Class Critique
Economic analysis:
Observations:
- Only rich could afford lifestyle
- Full-time job incompatible
- Assumed no children, caregiving
- Ignored systemic barriers
The inequality: Marketed as achievable, actually exclusive.
Racial Dynamics
Diversity debates:
Issues:
- Overwhelmingly white representation
- Black/brown creators ignored
- “Clean girl” = coded language
- Eurocentric beauty standards
The exclusion: Narrow ideal amplified.
Mental Health Paradox
Wellness creating unwellness:
Problems:
- Anxiety from not measuring up
- Comparison depression
- Perfectionism fueled
- Opposite of self-care
The irony: Mental health routine harming mental health.
Evolution
Where it went (2022-2023):
Transformations:
- More realistic versions
- “That girl on a budget”
- Satire, parody accounts
- Anti-that-girl content
The adaptation: Softened or mocked.
Legacy
“That Girl” demonstrated how TikTok could amplify aspirational wellness aesthetics before backlash exposed privilege, perfectionism, and productivity toxicity underlying supposedly empowering morning routines.
Sources:
- TikTok #ThatGirl analytics (2021-2023)
- The Atlantic: “That Girl Trend Critique” (2022)
- Body image researchers’ analysis (2021-2022)