Digital Detox Meets Martha Stewart Aesthetic: Insights from a DC Therapist
Somewhere between the “Martha Stewart Aesthetic” trending on TikTok and watching the 2024 Netflix doc Martha, this millennial found herself reflecting on the intersectionality of therapy and the lure of domesticity. The places this blog post could go: How to use crafting, cooking, and curating as a coverall for self-care? How this trend serves to mask perfectionism, avoidance, and burnout? How, in a high-pressure place like D.C., the MSA (Martha Stewart Aesthetic) reveals a deep-rooted desire for creativity, nature, and calm in a sea of concrete chaos? Just to name a few.
I’ll aim to blend as much as I can cram into a single post, pulling from the MSA and integrating therapeutic insights. Take what works, and leave the rest. If you’ve been coveting this trend- or are curious about its deeper meaning through the lens of therapy in DC, teletherapy, or even digital detox practices- read on!
What is the Martha Stewart Aesthetic?
Where do great trends emerge? TikTok and Instagram, of course. This one has surged by highlighting Martha Stewart’s iconic brand of curated homemaking: cozy interiors, seasonal crafting, hydrangeas, pruning, gardening, and elegant entertaining. Among millennials and Gen Z, it’s a cultural phenomenon that blends nostalgia, creativity, and comfort.
This aesthetic emphasizes ideals young adults seem to crave: beauty, organization, and self-sufficiency. Stewart’s timeless brand of domestic perfection offers a soothing antidote to chaotic modern life. For those unfamiliar with Martha or her aesthetic, think soothing cooking show host, chewy-fudgy brownies being made on tv that look too good to eat, and the pipe dream of her Connecticut farm.
Key Elements of the Martha Stewart Aesthetic (MSA)
We’ll take a therapeutic look at five elements of the MSA:
Crafting order amidst chaos
Nature-infused seasonal living
Comfort sourced from nostalgia
Hospitality as a bridge to community
The (illusory) pursuit of perfectionism
Trend #1: Crafting Order Amidst Chaos
Think: Organizing pantries with a label maker, arranging three Trader Joe’s bouquets into one floral fantasy, or baking completely from scratch.
Therapeutic Lens: These activities calm the nervous system, offering control during uncertainty. For young adults in D.C., juggling demanding careers and political stressors, small acts of creation can ground you—pulling attention away from screens and supporting a social media detox.
Therapy Tip: Reframe these tasks as mindfulness practices. Notice textures, smells, and sounds while you create, rather than focusing on perfection.
Prioritize rest and recovery
Schedule intentional downtime (aka strategic couch rotting)
Reconnect with hobbies
Use walks for Vitamin D and mindfulness
Trend #2: Nature-Infused Seasonal Living
Think: Planting herb gardens, decorating with pumpkins in the fall, or your very own fresh pine needle tree during the holidays. Practices like urban farming, back yard farming, or even bathing in the forest (what is forest bathing?) can restore a sense of balance.
Therapeutic Lens: Nature therapy is a powerful antidote to urban burnout. In a city with limited green space, small acts—growing herbs or visiting the U.S. Botanic Garden or Arboretum—can recreate that biophilic connection.
Therapy Tip: Nature therapy doesn’t have to mean more responsibility or just one more thing to take care of. Try ecotherapy practices like forest walks, outdoor meditation, or exploring what is a digital detox by combining screen-free time with immersion in nature.
Trend #3: Comfort Sourced from Nostalgia
Think: The revival of 90s/2000s homemaking rituals like handwritten thank you notes or recipes, at home movie/tv nights (throwback to ABC’s TGIF– IYKYK), and styling your home with grandmillennial or vintage décor.
Therapeutic Lens: Nostalgia can be a powerful emotional regulator. Particularly for young adults facing loneliness in a transient city like D.C., reconnecting with childhood traditions (e.g., holiday crafts or movie nights) can foster a sense of emotional safety and comfort.
Therapy Tip: Take time to identify positive memories connected to traditions or rituals and integrate them into something like a self-soothing toolkit.
Trend #4: Hospitality as a Bridge to Community
Think: Hosting book clubs, intimate themed dinners, or game nights.
Therapeutic Lens: Many young adults in DC are struggling with loneliness or fostering a sense of community. They crave in-person connection but struggle with interpersonal challenges like social anxiety or consistency with friends.. Structured hosting (e.g., a game night) can create some ease around social interactions by providing a shared focus. The pressure that may come with hosting doesn’t have to fall entirely on an individual though, be mindful if the thought of hosting causes you additional stress. Are you already taking on too much at work or at home? Do you have the bandwidth to plan something like a game night? While hosting can be a meaningful way to connect, it’s not the only way to community build!
Therapy Tip: Challenge yourself to consider hosting scenarios as a way to build interpersonal effectiveness skills. What are some things you may be working on improving relationally? Hosting can be a meaningful space to practice things like active listening, boundary setting, empathy, and assertiveness skills– skills multicultural therapists often highlight in building strong connections.
Trend #5: The (Illusory) Pursuit of Perfectionism
Think: Insta-worthy tablescapes, hyper-organized closets, and color-coded everything.
Therapeutic Lens: While creativity can be healing, striving for perfection often increases shame, avoidance, and procrastination. It’s important to recognize that “perfect” domesticity may mask deeper issues.
Therapy Tip: Take a “perfectionism audit.” Use CBT tools like thought records to track negative beliefs, and reframe with compassionate self-talk. Remind yourself: joy is more important than perfection.
Final Takeaways
Your life isn’t a TikTok reel. The Martha Stewart trend is not about flawless domesticity—it’s about creating joy in small acts of care. Pairing this with digital detox routines or exploring what is forest bathing can deepen the healing impact.
For young adults in D.C., remember: you can’t control the chaos of the world, but you can create pockets of peace in your home, body, and mind. And you don’t have to navigate mental health challenges alone. DC therapists at our multicultural counseling center are here to help, with therapy for young adults, teletherapy options, and multicultural therapists ready to meet you where you are. Reach out today for a free 15-minute consultation call.
FAQs: For When Pinterest Doesn’t Fix Your Stress
1. Why is the Martha Stewart aesthetic so appealing to young adults?
It taps into a desire for order, beauty, and comfort—counteracting stress, overstimulation, and digital fatigue.
2. How does the Martha Stewart aesthetic connect to mental health?
It reflects the need for calm, creativity, and structure. But it can also mask perfectionism and avoidance if not balanced.
3. Can homemaking activities actually improve mental health?
Yes. Small acts of crafting, cooking, or organizing can be mindfulness practices that reduce stress and support emotional well-being.
4. What’s the role of nostalgia in self-care?
Nostalgia provides emotional regulation by reconnecting us to safe, comforting memories—helpful for young adults coping with loneliness or anxiety.
5. How can therapy support young adults inspired by this trend?
Therapists in D.C. often help clients reframe perfectionism, build sustainable routines, and use practices like nature therapy or digital detox to restore balance. Book a free consultation with our multicultural therapists.
About The Author
Katie Jacobi is a licensed professional counselor and Level-1 Trained IFS therapist. She’s passionate about helping young adults to better understand themselves, adapt, heal, and ultimately integrate past experiences into a brighter future. Katie works with both individuals and couples. She’s a self-proclaimed “psych nerd” and is constantly learning new skills, and evidence-based practices to help tailor her approach to the individual or individuals in front of her, being able to meet them where they are at. If you’re interested in working with Katie for Internal Family Systems Therapy or traditional counseling, reach out to TSG for a free 15-minute consultation today!
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