From “that girl” to “clean girl” and now the “pretty girl” trend, online aesthetics offer an easy, pre-packaged lifestyle. But finding an identity in the era of aesthetics goes far beyond what we wear—every single daily object and routine is now expected to look picture-perfect.
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When everything becomes an aesthetic
It is no longer just about fashion; everyday items have been pulled into the trend cycle. A water bottle cannot just be functional—it has to be a pastel Stanley cup or a pastel-pink bottle decorated with aesthetic stickers. Even basic plaster bandages now come in curated colour palettes to match your outfit.
This visual pressure has completely reshaped everyday activities:
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Gym culture: You cannot just throw on an oversized t-shirt and old shorts to work out anymore. Going to the gym now requires a colour-coordinated matching set, a claw clip, and an aesthetic gym bag.
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Routine coffee runs: Getting an iced matcha latte is no longer just ordering a drink; it is a visual lifestyle statement meant to be photographed.
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Hyper-curated “pretty girl” rules: Online trends have created absurd rules about what “pretty girls” allegedly do or do not do. This includes unrealistic wellness tips like trying to schedule when you go to the bathroom so your stomach never catches you off guard in public. It is an impossible level of control over basic human biology, and almost all of it is targeted directly at women.
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The “looksmaxxing” rabbit hole: What began in niche forums—where users ranked digitally edited male characters to debate peak facial ratios—quickly turned into real people rating each other’s looks online. Today, it has entered the mainstream as an extreme approach to beauty. It turns basic self-care into an obsessive checklist for “maximising” your appearance, pushing people toward rigid routines and even cosmetic procedures just to fix perceived structural flaws.
The science: Why our brains love pretty things
There is a real reason why we are drawn to this. Science calls it neuroaesthetics—the study of how our brains respond to beauty, symmetry, and visual order. Looking at curated colours, organised spaces, and pretty objects releases dopamine. It feels satisfying, calming, and visually rewarding.
The trap, however, is confusing brain chemistry with personal identity. Buying a pastel water bottle or wearing a cute matching gym set gives your brain a quick burst of pleasure, but it does not define who you are.
The trap of performative living
When identity depends entirely on buying the right items, it flattens who you really are. Life is messy, unpredictable, and human. Bodies do not run on aesthetic schedules, and real life does not come with a soft-focus filter.
Trying to fit your real body, bad days, and shifting mood into a perfect online picture gets exhausting. When an aesthetic stops being a fun choice and turns into a strict set of rules, it loses its charm.
How to find your authentic style
You do not have to stop enjoying pretty things or following trends. You just need to use them without letting them control you.
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Separate function from performance: Use the plain water bottle, wear the old t-shirt to the gym, and drink whatever coffee you actually like without worrying about how it looks to others.
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Remember that trends die: What is considered the “ultimate aesthetic” today will be forgotten in six months. Do not invest your self-worth into something with an expiration date.
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Focus on values over visuals: An aesthetic is just how things look on the outside. Your real identity comes from your character, your sense of humour, and how you treat people.
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Live without filming it: Keep parts of your daily life completely un-curated, unphotographed, and just for you.
Trends will always come and go, offering new labels and “must-have” items every season. Neuroaesthetics explains why we like pretty things, but it does not mean your life has to be a museum display. The best personal style is timeless: simply being comfortable with who you are when nobody is watching.
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Featured Image: Pexels
