In 2026, everyone is in their “glow up era.” We are romanticizing morning routines and new hairstyles, clearer skin, better style, and curated media feeds. We are rebranding our personalities as if they are social media accounts, but somewhere between the polished routines and podcasts, while we are so caught up with customizing our appearance we tend to forget to ask a better question: Are we truly maturing or are we just polishing petals?
The glow-up trend has become one of the most recognizable parts of social media culture. Social media platforms such as tiktok and instagram promote content that promise a “better” version of yourself. However, what we believe as self-improvement and romanticizing lifestyle can gradually turn into pressure.
The definition of perfect is defined as having all the required or desirable elements, qualities, or characteristics. The primary root of how young people measure themselves is social media.
They are platforms where we express ourselves, share our lives, and connect to others internationally. Adolescents are the most active group of social media users, a scenario where identity construction in which adolescents socialize.
When young individuals see influencers and people online promote a “healthier” lifestyle they feel a desire to conform in order to achieve an attractive image and external approval. For many young people, the pressure is hard to ignore.
Glow-up culture is focused on physical appearance. This is in effort to be accepted through society’s ideal expectations rather than self-love. Iconic films such as “Clueless,” “Princess Diaries,” and “Mean Girls,” are examples that drive glow-up culture.
Young adults and teenagers who mimic these films or even that follow current trends often struggle with body dysmorphia and self-esteem. They feel they are at fault for not looking a certain way, forcing themselves to their limit. According to the National Institutes of Health, “heavy exposure to appearance-focused content can negatively affect body image and mental health, creating unhealthy relationships with food, self-perception, and exercise.”
In many ways, personal development is overlooked due to glow-up culture. The pressure becomes worse as years go past, especially when you reach college years. The first impression is important because they are the first chance to set the tone for what the “best years” might really look like.
The issue is not improvement itself, but the relentless pursuit of perfection fueled by inadequacy. Wanting to adapt to build better habits and confidence is natural.
The problem presents itself when growth becomes something we feel obligated to perform. Perhaps because the authenticity of glowing up is learning to bloom without the need of internet surveillance. We forget that growth happens naturally and gradually.
In the end, the true glow-up is not revolving on polished petals for others to witness, but allowing yourself to grow without constantly seeking approval.
