granola girl aesthetic: the trend & its slow living roots

At the time of writing this, there's a granola girl aesthetic and a salted granola girl aesthetic. Maybe a crunchy granola girl aesthetic, too? I'm sure there are more variations, but what exactly is this trend and what does it have to do with slow living?

I first spotted the granola aesthetics on, of course, TikTok. Hiking boots, beach hair, vintage tees... Granola girls are those who enjoy nature, hiking, and other outdoorsy activities. They're low-maintenance when it come to fashion, sticking to thrifted and/or comfy athletic clothing. They're earthy, eco-conscious, and carefree in lifestyle. Some may refer to granola girls as the new generation of "hippie" but that's probably up for deeper discussion. Salted granola girls are a variation with an emphasis on the waters, such as living coastal/seaside.

I don't know if these aesthetics are exclusive to outdoor activities, but I think the more important thing to note here is the aesthetic as a whole, as a general vibe (and you can think of the word "aesthetic" in that sense here, if you were unsure about that).

So, what does this have to do with slow living?

Slow living has a lot to do with intention and mindfulness. Intention and mindfulness can be as surface level as prioritizing comfort over style, sticking to basics, and valuing curation over excess. It, most importantly, can go as far as mindful hobbies, returning to roots, sustainability, and downsizing needs to make space for deep values.

On the surface level, granola girls go for simple, comfy, loose, and often thrifted fashion that showcases a bit of personality (i.e. their state landmark, cute cats, etc.).

On the deeper level, granola girls prioritize hobbies that bring them mindful joy. Their clothing, again, is thrifted, which supports sustainability (and they likely shop at athletic stores that focus on giving back, use reusable products over single-use, and/or shop less in general). Rather than living in excess or fast-pace, they focus on the exact opposite.

It goes without saying that there's plenty I love about the granola girl aesthetics, and it's a trend I align with more in comparison to other trends that rely on heavy consumption, energy drainers, and flashy fun that kind of depletes me.

That does not mean to say that other trends or aesthetics out there aren't amazing, fun, and ideal for others! This isn't to compare one aesthetic (or lifestyle) to another, it's just to emphasize what about this particular trend is so closely associated with slow living (especially in a world where slow living isn't necessarily the biggest thing).

I hope you take a look at the trend and see if it appeals to you! It's nice to have a tangible phrase you can use to curate your internet space. In that realm, I really do love when curations like this become aesthetics online. It's helpful. It provides an internet space to claim, browse, and seek inspiration from in an easy way. Enjoy, and let me know what you think!