Behind the Mirror: How GRWM Videos Turn Routine into Relatable Storytelling

by Ayanah Dowdye, Contributing Author

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Introduction

The “Get Ready With Me" (GRWM) trend has become a significant part of social media culture, particularly among teens. These videos offer a behind-the-scenes look at how creators prepare for their day, posting videos or photos of the process of getting ready for an event or activity. This can range from a casual day out with friends, to attending a formal evening event, to cleaning your home, to even just studying together. For teens, GRWM content serves as both entertainment and inspiration, shaping their perceptions of style and self-presentation. It influences their fashion choices, encourages experimentation with makeup and hairstyles, introduces them to new beauty trends, and more. Beyond aesthetics, GRWM videos also encourage creators to be vulnerable, sharing personal experiences such as challenges with dating, breakups, struggles with acne, or other life difficulties. This openness fosters a sense of relatability and connection, allowing viewers to see that they are not alone in their struggles. Moreover, the format of GRWM videos naturally lends itself to storytelling, helping people articulate their experiences and emotions while engaging with their audience in a more personal and authentic way. This blend of creativity, vulnerability, and narrative makes GRWM a powerful tool for self-expression and connection on social media.

Relevant Videos

1. 10 yr old GRWM morning routine: click here

2. Curly Hair Routine: click here

3. GRWM for high school  click here

4. Storytelling GRWM: click here

5. GRWM: Friendship breakup: click here

How to Talk to Kids About It

1. Discuss Beauty Standards: Engaging in discussions about the beauty standards often portrayed in GRWM videos can help teens develop a healthy perspective on self-image, encouraging them to appreciate their own identities.

2. Encourage Authenticity: Parents can talk to their teens about the importance of authenticity in GRWM content, encouraging them to be true to themselves rather than trying to conform to trends or societal pressures.

3. Support Experimentation: By providing the tools or products needed for their teens to explore different styles or looks, parents can support their creativity and self-expression. 

Pros & Cons

Pros:

1. GRWM videos have helped normalize and celebrate diverse beauty standards, including curly hair, darker skin tones, and features like freckles. By showcasing how to enhance and embrace these unique traits, these videos empower teens with non-conventional beauty to feel appreciated and confident in their natural appearance.

2. GRWM videos allow teens to express their personal style, creativity, and individuality, empowering them to explore and share their unique identities

3. GRWM videos allow teens to express their personal style, creativity, and individuality, empowering them to explore and share their unique identities.

   
   

Cons:

1. While this trend can boost creativity and self-expression, it also has the potential to create pressure to conform to certain beauty standards and expectations, making it essential for teens to balance inspiration with self-acceptance.

2. Watching polished and curated GRWM videos can lead to unhealthy comparisons, causing teens to feel inadequate or insecure about their appearance or lifestyle if they don't measure up to what they see online.

3. The time and effort required to create GRWM content can become overwhelming, potentially leading to stress or distraction from other important activities like schoolwork, hobbies, or offline social interactions.

Other Relevant Stuff

1. Today: Why 'Get Ready With Me' videos have become a booming TikTok genre 

2. CBS News: TikTok influencers Greta Rolli, Alix Earle and other #GRWM creators are changing social media - CBS News 

3. The Harvard Crimson: On GRWM Videos: Will We Ever Just Be Ready? | Arts | The Harvard Crimson

4. Research Gate: (PDF) ‘GRWM’: Modes of Aesthetic Observance, Surveillance, and Subversion on YouTube  

5. Dazed: What TikTok’s confessional GRWM videos say about our culture of oversharing | Dazed

6. The British Psychological Society: An exploration of the ‘Get Ready with Me’ (GRWM) culture within YouTube today and how it performs heteronormative femininity | BPS - British Psychological Society  

7. Inc Blog Post: What You Need to Know About the 'Get Ready With Me' Video Trend Sweeping Social Media | Inc.com

8.   Open Influence: Get Ready to Build Authentic Connections with Audiences Through the GRWM Trend | Open Influence Inc.

9. Mancunion blog post: The art of the GRWM: Why we love such a simple trend - The Mancunion