Gwyneth Paltrow divides people. She upsets them, she influences them, she makes them angry, and if you’re anything like me, she provides seemingly never-ending guidance.
I am a self-proclaimed member of the Goop movement, a mission she created via a website over ten years ago to bring wellness to the forefront of our minds. Goop started as a blog, where contributors and GP herself could share takes you might not hear from a traditional doctor or mainstream media, ranging from diet to therapy to sexual health and even fashion.
Personally, if Gwyneth walked into my house and said, “I’m going to make every decision for you from now on,” I would reply, “thank god.” However, not many people feel this way.
Goop has been the kindling that was needed to launch a firestorm of controversy surrounding the idea of modern wellness. People were outraged that this website would promote the idea of “conscious uncoupling” from your spouse or taking ayahuasca to face trauma head-on, emerging into an enlightened state. Can you take a wild guess as to why?
The team at Goop isn’t afraid to make people uncomfortable, something that not many audiences can embrace openly. Discomfort causes defense, leading those who experience it to feel they’re being told they’re doing something wrong or that they need to change the way they live their life.
When we’re pushed to find new ways to enhance our lives, it’s natural to ask questions and even go into the process a bit skeptical. Although skeptical we may be, closing off our minds to experimenting in the ever-growing wellness world will only stunt our growth as human beings while the wellness industry strides far ahead.
The wellness industry globally is projected to reach a growth of $6.03 billion by 2025, with Goop alone reaching a valuation of $250 million in 2021. Prioritization of wellness in the everyday lives of American consumers has increased an estimated 48.2% as compared to before the pandemic, with the leading categories being overall health, followed by appearance and fitness.
In my opinion, Paltrow’s greatest strength is her ability to take the criticism she faces head-on and continue to innovate. Sitting as someone of the status she does, it isn’t easy to listen to her advice. An A-list actress talking about her use of expensive products and healthy divorce doesn’t exactly sit well with the general public.
Although this is some of the advice she promotes on her website, this is simply the minority.
The wellness industry and Goop as a whole are trying to set the tone of a more well-rounded life, utilizing the methods that work for you personally. Whether it’s splurging on La Mer, face cream or simply introducing a $5 gua sha into your routine, both of these activities fall under this message.
Goop also opened the conversation for topics that were considered taboo before its existence. Women’s sexual health, postpartum challenges, and psychedelics as a method of healing are all conversations that many refuse to have. However, they are essential for educating people experiencing them and bringing them to the forefront of mainstream media, with a very influential person at the lead, fostering a comfortable environment for so many longing for answers.
The idea of enhancing our lives for the benefit of our mental and physical health has only become more critical in the wake of a global pandemic. Retailers such as Sephora and Net-A-Porter feature sustainable collections on their websites, allowing customers to prioritize organic, non-toxic ingredients and fabrics. Urban Outfitters and Free People are examples of brands using their platforms to educate Gen-Z on wellness, curating shops with new, independent, clean products.
I personally grew a fascination with wellness during the pandemic. I took easy steps to integrate exclusively clean beauty and skincare products into my bathroom when I ran out of my original products, following Instagram accounts that promote taking care of yourself and prioritizing how I feel.
Controversial she may be, Gwyneth Paltrow is paving the way for our society to become more open to the experimental. We have many challenges throughout life, and prioritizing our mind and body is crucial in facing what we encounter. Bringing wellness to the forefront will only decrease the stigma of taking care of ourselves. Whether you find that in drinking bone broth, meditating every day, or a solo trip to Iceland, that’s up to you.
Words by Olivia Hawkins.
Graphic by Emily Tobias.