So… you tried being That Girl—the one with the matching sets, flawless morning routines, and a fridge full of pre-cut fruit. And maybe it lasted a week (or a day). No shade. But here’s the thing: being That Girl might look good on Pinterest, but being This Girl—the one who shows up imperfectly, authentically, and maybe with cereal for dinner—is the one who actually gets to feel good.
Let’s stop journaling to fit an aesthetic and start writing like we actually live in our own lives. This is your unfiltered, real-girl journaling starter pack.
What’s the Deal With ‘That Girl’ Culture?
It’s all over TikTok and IG—5 AM wake-ups, meditation, green smoothies, Pilates, perfect lighting. But underneath the glow is often a pressure to perform, to live for the aesthetic, and to treat self-worth like it’s tied to productivity.
Real talk: Gen Z is tired of performative wellness. We’re not anti-growth, we’re just done pretending we love it when we’re burnt out and overstimulated. And that’s where journaling comes in—no filters, no pressure, just space to be.
The ‘That Girl’ aesthetic promises control. But being This Girl invites connection—with yourself. We don’t need another morning routine to perform for strangers online. We need an honest, self-led reset.
(PS: If you’re still curious about journaling styles, check out our guide to beginner journaling styles. It’s a vibe.)
Who’s This Girl, Then?
She’s soft but strong. She makes it through messy Mondays and midnight overthinking. She journals in the dark on her phone. She forgets to drink water but remembers how to hold space for herself. She’s not a trend. She’s evolving.
This girl doesn’t chase glow-ups—she lives through slow growth. She rests without guilt. She has boundaries without needing to explain them. She still dreams, but she doesn’t force herself to become an ideal just to feel worthy.
15 Journal Prompts for Being This Girl:
- What’s one small win I had this week that deserves a slow clap?
- When did I feel most like me lately?
- What’s something I’m tired of pretending I enjoy?
- What part of my routine is for me—not for the camera?
- What do I actually need more of today?
- If I stop chasing perfection, what might I gain?
- Who am I when no one’s watching?
- What’s a boundary I’m proud of keeping?
- What would a soft, supportive day look like?
- What’s something that felt like failure but taught me a lot?
- How can I show myself gentleness this week?
- What does healing actually look like for me?
- If I believed I was enough already, how would I act?
- What version of me am I letting go of?
- What makes me feel grounded—not performative?
These prompts are about reclaiming space in your own life—emotionally, mentally, and physically. You don’t have to earn rest. You don’t have to optimize your entire day. You just have to show up as yourself.
If you want to go even deeper into journaling that feels good, not forced, check out our beginner journaling guide or grab some Sunday reset prompts for softer weekly check-ins.
For more context on how Gen Z is reacting to productivity pressure, check out this article from Verywell Mind about Why ist important to have high self esteem and how journaling can help..
