Senior Project Advisor
Mary Erickson
Document Type
Project
Publication Date
Winter 2025
Keywords
Sad Girl Aesthetic, Nihilism, Dissociative Feminism, Neoliberalism, Mental Illness
Abstract
This collection of essays examines the cultural phenomenon of the “sad girl” aesthetic, analyzing its prominence in media and its reflection of contemporary women’s struggles. Emerging from online communities, the aesthetic aims to convey deep emotional struggles through a detached and formulaic presentation. The sad girl aesthetic is characterized by its nihilism and self-destructive tendencies, fostering both isolation and a sense of collective identity. Works such as Fleabag, My Year of Rest and Relaxation, and Lana Del Rey’s artistry have become representative of this identity, reflecting both its allure and limitations. Through an analysis of social media trends and personal experiences, this paper acknowledges the sad girl aesthetic’s role as a space for women to articulate their discontent with neoliberal ideals, while also critiquing its tendency toward self-absorption and exclusivity.
Department
Communication Studies
Recommended Citation
Rozich, Anika, "Pretty Little Nihilists: The Aesthetic Politics of the Sad Girl" (2025). WWU Honors College Senior Projects. 913.
https://cedar.wwu.edu/wwu_honors/913
Type
Text
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Included in
Critical and Cultural Studies Commons, Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commons, Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication Commons