When Wellness and Resolutions Become Toxic
Victoria Gwilt, LMCHCA
The new year always brings a sense of freshness and renewal. “New year, new me” is a popular slogan usually touted around this time, and in the era of TikTok and Reels, there is no shortage of wellness tips and routines flooding the trending pages. With content creation curating endless “Get Ready with Me” videos and “How to Get Perfect insert skin, hair, or makeup here,” I’ve recently found myself overwhelmed by the sheer volume of products and steps it supposedly takes to achieve today’s wellness standards. It seems that in order to be “the new me” in a new year, one must invest in an endless array of products and dedicate significant time. But while creating resolutions to better myself, I’ve started wondering: Am I really improving, or am I just stressing over whether I have the “correct” products? Am I getting ready in the “right” way? Is my skin glowy enough? Does my hair have the “right” amount of volume? Is this truly a better version of me?
The wellness industry has evolved into a polished form of consumerism. According to the Global Wellness Economy Monitor, the industry was worth $6.3 trillion in 2023 and continues to grow year over year (Global Wellness Institute, 2024). So, a fair question arises: What exactly are they selling? Wellness or products?
The pursuit of health and beauty through products affects our well-being not only in terms of consumerism but also in the form of comparison. It’s easy to get lost in scrolling through content with the intent of finding tips and tricks for wellness, only to fall into the trap of comparing curated content to our own lives. For many influencers, their literal job is to use and showcase products in perfectly lit, meticulously staged settings. But real life doesn’t always come with a ring light. The popular saying, “Comparison is the thief of joy,” has never been truer when it comes to wellness culture. We risk missing out on the genuine benefits of health and self-care because we’ve become overly focused on the products and processes marketed as essential. Does my evening routine still work if I don’t have a red light therapy face mask? Yes, of course. The time I take investing in myself is worth it because it is for me, not for products.
As we think about wellness routines and resolutions for the new year, it’s important to focus on what truly makes us better rather than on the products we believe will get us there. It’s okay if your skincare routine consists of just a face wash and moisturizer, without the twenty other creams you’ve seen advertised. It’s okay to move your body in ways that feel healthy to you, without tracking, filming, or counting every step. It’s okay if your breakfast is nutritious but doesn’t look picture-perfect for social media.
Wellness should be about what genuinely supports your health and happiness, not about meeting an arbitrary standard set by curated online content. Let’s remind ourselves that simplicity can be just as effective and that self-care doesn’t have to come with a price tag or a performance.
Reference: Global Wellness Institute. (2024). Global Wellness Economy Monitor.
Retrieved 1/2/2025 from https://globalwellnessinstitute.org.