Many influencers online have gotten popular by a number a reasons. Sharing their personalities, what they eat, work or school lives, or even rants about random topics to name a few. What also has been getting those likes? Showing the more vulnerable parts of themselves online—and how influencers have been dealing with it. Recently, the new “this is my therapy” trend on TikTok has especially capitalized on this.
This therapy trend primarily consists of a display of text stating: “I can’t today, I have therapy.” Then, the video cuts to the referenced “therapy,” which usually includes shopping, hanging out with friends, a self-care routine, or watching tv. But, like with every trend, not everyone seems to be on board.
Why People Like It
The trend is lighthearted and does relate to people. Most have small coping habits to help them get through the day. For me, I love walking to the coffee shop on my college campus and getting a coffee. Sometimes, the walk there is more fun than the drink!
Trends such as “this is my therapy” bridge that gap of acknowledgment. Therapy is an important practice that people partake in to heal, improve life, and navigate relationships. Moreover, this trend can encourage people to take small breaks and focus on themselves.
Why People Don’t Like It
However, therapy is still widely considered a private matter to many people. Also, therapy is in the long list of terms that have been changed because of the internet. Is it fair to call an everyday task therapy? Let’s go back to my coffee example. Is that therapy or just a habit?
Real therapy takes dedicated time on the professional and client’s end. The Jed Foundation defines therapy as “meeting with a trained professional to take care of your mental and emotional health.” Then, the therapist offers solution. These solutions can be advice or treatment plans. Here are a few benefits of therapy that HealthCore Clinic lays out:
- Improving communication and relationships
- Learning new coping strategies
- Increasing self-awareness and self-esteem
So, referring to something you do in your free time as “therapy” can take away from the impact it has on people that do go.
Overall
People are always going to have their own opinion on whether a trend is good or bad. While the trend blurs the lines of coping mechanisms and real therapy, it does the same in the real life world.
In elementary school, I learned that the internet is forever. What you put out for the world to see is how they will view you. This trend also reveals a broader issue on social media: when does it become oversharing? Should people be using their private habits to get engagement?
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