Zara Hernandez reflects on the hot girl ‘emotional support water bottle’, and suggests that we are commodifying the environment.
As a child, I had my own set of favourite keepsakes and special items that brought me great comfort. There was my stuffed mouse called ‘Jack Jack’, and my endless amount of Smiggle rubbers – they came with me everywhere. But as I grew older, these childhood keepsakes that once brought me support have since transitioned to what can be called an ‘emotional support water bottle’.
For those who know me, seeing me without one of my water bottles is a rare sight. I take my beloved vessels everywhere with me – to work, the gym, the shops, the beach, and even out to lunch with friends. If we have plans and you are the one driving, then your car becomes my bottle’s home for the day. We are a package deal. I even own an emotional support water bottle air freshener for my car.
Before all the craze over these inanimate objects on TikTok, my journey as an emotional support water bottle girlie began in 2017 when my mother kindly decided to let me buy a purple Nike water bottle. I was fascinated with the way these bottles squeezed water out and how almost everyone around me owned one. This vessel didn’t just hydrate me; it transformed my daily water intake, forcing me to drink more water than I had in the past.
As time went on my collection grew. 2019 saw the rise of the VSCO girl trend, with the Hydro Flask becoming a status symbol of the fad [1]. This saw the beginning of water bottles being more than just a means of hydration, but rather a fashion accessory and a form of individual expression. Hydro Flasks came in a variety of colours and sizes that appealed to everyone, not just the self-proclaimed ‘VSCO girl’. Decorating Hydro Flasks with stickers also became really popular – another means of self-expression. Obviously, my 17-year-old self had to acquire a lavender-coloured one, and this became the catalyst for bringing my water bottles around with me. I remember spending the entire summer of 2020 mostly at the beach and that Hydro Flask joined me on all of my adventures.
However, as my specific bottle contained a wide mouth and lacked a straw, my Hydro Flask became more of an accessory rather than serving its original purpose – hydration. I realised that the best way for me to increase my water intake was to drink through a straw. Starting university, I stopped carrying my Hydro Flask as it became too heavy in my bag amongst my laptop and other things.
Mindlessly scrolling through TikTok, I came across the Stanley Cup. I wish I could clearly remember what it was that appealed to me about the bottle. Perhaps it was the range of colours, or how its shape could fit perfectly into a car cup holder, or the fact that it had a straw and a handle. Debating for a while on whether or not I should purchase one, the decision was made for me when one of my lovely friends decided to gift one to me for my birthday. And from that moment, I was more inseparable from that cup than I was from the Hydro Flask. Drinking water has now become incredibly autonomous, most of the time I am not even consciously aware of it.
The only issue with the Stanley was that it wasn’t particularly feasible to take it out and about with me due to its sheer size and ability to easily leak if not upright. So, I finally caved and bought a Frank Green bottle as well. It is a limited-edition, 595ml sweet peach colour – a perfect outdoor replacement for the Stanley Cup that was too heavy and leaked everywhere. Now I have two emotional support water bottles that I drink out of on rotation. Excessive, I know.
Now that I have perfected my water drinking routines, I now question the sheer absurdity of the emotional support water bottle phenomenon. How did this truly start? Why have we created a whole subculture based on emotional dependence on water bottles?
Although the rise of water bottles as a hydration vessel became a fashion accessory with the Hydro Flask in 2019, the emotional support aspect originated on TikTok during the COVID-19 pandemic where videos emerged of individuals using these bottles for emotional dependence [2]. As our lives were thrown into disarray – we searched for ways to cope with the uncertainty of the state of the world and within our own lives. Whilst some of us went into more traditional methods of comfort such as binge-watching our favourite TV shows, others drew comfort from the steadfast presence of a water bottle. The hashtag #emotionalsupportwaterbottle has reached over 178.8 million views on TikTok [3], with users showcasing their water bottle collections and audio clips such as “Gorgeous gorgeous girls have emotional support water bottles.” And although we ‘gorgeous gorgeous girls’ have created a sense of community and support from this trend, it is crucial to note that a water bottle is not a substitute for professional help if you are dealing with mental health conditions. Popular brands such as Frank Green, Stanley and Yeti capitalised on this trend, using the power of social media to become the forefront of the emotional support water bottle movement.
Other factors contributing to the trend’s virality include the viral video of a woman showing the burnt wreckage of her car, with her Stanley Quencher and the ice inside remaining intact [4]. The video garnered over 94 million views, showcasing the extent of the tumbler’s indestructibility. In a response video, Stanley president Terence Reilly offered to replace the woman’s car and send free Stanleys [5].
This reusable water bottle trend traces its roots back to a growing awareness of environmental issues and the push for sustainable living. Initially popularised as an eco-friendly alternative to disposable plastic bottles, these reusable bottles quickly became symbols of personal and planetary health [3]. By using these water bottles, individuals not only expressed their personal style but also made a statement about their commitment to reducing waste and preserving natural resources. This origin in environmentalism remains a core aspect of the trend’s appeal, blending utility with eco-consciousness in everyday life.
However, the emotional support water bottle craze also comes with its own set of problems. Numerous videos on social media have circulated of people in the US entering physical fights in Target stores over the limited-edition Starbucks x Stanley Quencher [6]. Social media feeds are flooded with videos such as ‘Restock and Clean my Bottles with Me' [7], with creators showcasing extensive collections of water bottles, amassing millions of views. Additionally, the allure of obtaining an emotional support water bottle has led to a market frenzy, with a plethora of accessories now available for the Stanley Cup and similar bottles. From detachable snack bowls and charms to intricate bag straps equipped with phone and card holders, the once-simple water bottle has transformed into a status symbol, fuelling a cycle of consumerism that contradicts the very ethos of sustainability these bottles originally represented.
The irony is stark – a trend initially rooted in mindfulness and environmental consciousness now risks becoming a casualty of its own success, succumbing to the trappings of excess consumerism.
The commodification of emotional support, once a personal and genuine pursuit has now become a lucrative industry, driven by marketing strategies that capitalise on our desire for validation and belonging. It is a reminder that in our pursuit of emotional well-being, we must navigate a landscape where genuine care for ourselves and the planet often competes with profit-driven motives.
ENDNOTES
[1] Jennings, Rebecca. “What Is a VSCO Girl? The VSCO Girl Meme, Explained.” Vox, 2019.
[2] Davino, Bianca. “How TikTok Made Us All Emotional Support Water Bottle Girlies.”
[3] Recchia, Charlie. “Get Sippy with It: Reusable Water Bottles Provide Sustainability and Support.” Vox Magazine, 2023.
[4] @danimarielettering. “Stanley Cup surviving car fire”. TikTok, November 2023.
[5] @stanleybrand. “Stanley responds to car fire”. TikTok, November, 2023.
[6] Morris, Chris. “The Multigenerational Craze That Has Target Shoppers Fighting over $50 Limited Edition Stanley Cups Was a Starbucks Collab All Along.”
[7] @sam.san.shops. “Restock my Stanley for lunch time”. TikTok, April, 2024.
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