“Get Un-Ready With Me”: The Self-Compassion Movement We Didn’t Know We Needed
From Filters to Freedom: A Cultural Shift in Self-Image
In a digital world saturated with “Get Ready With Me” tutorials, heavily filtered selfies, and beauty-enhancing apps, a quiet rebellion has emerged — and it’s deeply psychological.
Enter: #GetUnReadyWithMe — a growing social media movement where influencers and everyday users remove their makeup, shed the pressure to perform, and show up as they really are. Unlike its predecessor, this trend isn’t about prepping to face the world — it’s about unwinding, being real, and embracing vulnerability.
✨ "I used to feel like I had to be perfect before hitting record. Now I just breathe, take off my makeup, and talk about my day." — 22-year-old TikTok user
🧠 The Psychology Behind “Getting Un-Ready”
At its core, this movement taps into key themes in psychology: authenticity, self-compassion, and identity development. Research shows that chronic self-presentation — particularly on social media — can contribute to:
Increased anxiety and depression
Body image dissatisfaction
Imposter syndrome
🧪 A 2022 study in Body Image found that women who engaged in more “appearance-focused social media activity” reported lower self-esteem and more disordered eating behaviors.
“Getting un-ready” offers a corrective experience: one that models imperfection as acceptable and even healing.
🪞 Why This Matters for Teens and Young Adults
For young people, especially girls, adolescence is a critical time for identity formation. The pressure to “curate” a perfect self online can lead to psychological distress, particularly when self-worth is linked to external appearance or likes.
This is why movements like #GetUnReadyWithMe are not just refreshing — they’re developmentally protective.
📊 According to Psychology of Popular Media, teen girls exposed to unfiltered content that emphasizes self-acceptance report more body appreciation and fewer social comparisons.
👨👩👧 What Clinicians and Parents Can Encourage
🧩 For Clinicians:
Use the movement as an entry point in therapy to discuss self-image, shame, and perfectionism.
Ask clients: “What parts of yourself do you feel pressure to hide?”
Suggest self-compassion exercises during nighttime routines (e.g., mindful mirror check-ins, journaling).
🧩 For Parents:
Model self-acceptance at home by speaking kindly about your own appearance.
Join your teen in “un-ready” rituals — like removing makeup or changing into comfy clothes — to build connection and normalize relaxation.
🌿 Practical “Un-Ready” Rituals That Support Mental Health
Ritual Psychological Benefit
Removing makeup mindfully Body neutrality, transition cue
Wearing cozy clothes Activates parasympathetic nervous system
Gentle skincare Tactile self-soothing
Screen-free time Reduces overstimulation and comparison
Journaling Cognitive emotional processing
📌 Tip: Frame these not as “beauty tasks,” but as moments of return — to yourself.
💬 Final Thoughts: Beauty in the Breakdown
In a world that praises the hustle and the highlight reel, “getting un-ready” is an act of quiet rebellion — one rooted in psychological wellness and self-trust. Whether you’re a teen learning to love your reflection or an adult unlearning performance-based worth, this movement offers something essential: permission to be human.
💡 True mental wellness isn’t found in filters — it’s found in softness, slowness, and self-acceptance.
