Sweaty dance floors, spilled drinks and loud music. It’s raw, chaotic and human. So, why are we calling it a night early and setting our alarms for 8 a.m. on the weekend? A hangover is now seen as a moral failure, and the party scene has slowly given way to matcha, health shots and expensive supplements.
What should be a time of self-discovery, freedom and experimentation is becoming a time defined by obsessively tracking sleep schedules, glowing skin and isolation. This shift towards wellness culture appeared due to the destigmatisation of mental illness and the growth of wellness influencers, according to Elle Magazine.
Ironically, the very culture that promises balance and connection can leave us more anxious. While wellness rituals are marketed as a path to a calmer, more fulfilled life, they only focus on self-optimization instead of community and spontaneity.
Wellness culture is ruining our social lives and has monetized off of what it means to be “well.” Wellness shouldn’t be outrageous. It isn’t a pilates class or an under-eye mask, and it isn’t spending copious amounts of time cooped up in your room alone. Wellness is being present, prioritizing enjoyment in simplicity and choosing to live your life even when you’re not the best version of yourself.
It can be difficult to remember that we deserve to live even if we aren’t in our “final form.” Wellness is something that is an “active, ongoing pursuit,” according to Dr. Halbert L. Dunn, who is said to be the father of the wellness movement.
So why do we feel the need to self isolate? We are all healing from something, and we shouldn’t be doing it alone. There is a sense of control that comes with filling out your planner and sticking to it. The decline of partying is troubling, because we need human connection and the chance to stray from a rigid routine.
Real human connection is sometimes at its peak in sweaty basements and dive bars. Being unfiltered and messy humans is what makes us relatable and understandable. Wellness culture’s obsession with self-improvement strips away the unpredictable moments that make college a life-changing experience.
This is not to say that being well and prioritizing your mental health isn’t important, but it is a reminder that partying and human connection is just as important. Don’t let the trends shame you into sobriety and seclusion. You can be both the pilates princess and the club rat, a balanced life needs a little bit of both.
