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Posted on Apr 28, 2024

Why Everyone Is Obsessed With (And Jealous Of ) Nara Smith

If you’re not jealous of her, good for you, if you are, welcome to the club… we’ve been waiting for your arrival. “This is for the Editorial Fellowship.”

by Melody Russell

Community Contributor

You and about 5.8 million others are enamored with Nara Smith

If you’ve ever felt a pang of envy scrolling through TikTok while munching on a hastily made sandwich, you're probably familiar with Nara Smith. Her soft voice and impeccable style are just the appetizer in her banquet of cooking content.

But it’s not just any old type of regular cooking—it’s the type where even a peanut butter and jelly sandwich involves a full day's work, starting from scratch with flour, peanuts, and fresh berries. Yes, you heard that right.

Nara, the 23-year-old TikTok sensation with over 5.8 million followers, seems to have crafted a life many dream of but few will ever live. She’s a mom of three, married to the dreamy fashion model Lucky Blue Smith, and whips up culinary masterpieces that could make Gordon Ramsay weep with joy—or maybe with a slight tinge of jealousy.

But why is everyone obsessed with the Tradwife trend (even though people seemingly don't want to be Tradwives). In an age where being a 'tradwife'—a woman who embraces traditional roles as a stay-at-home mom—is both celebrated and scorned, Nara stands as a polarizing influencer.

Nara Smith and Lucky Blue Smith With Their Daughter

Nara's videos are like a sneak peek into the kind of life that could give your Instagram a run for its money. Yet, under all that picture-perfect sheen, there's some serious talk about whether her life is as dreamy as it looks.

Nara totally embraces the young-married-with-kids vibe and calls it "the best decision I've ever made." Sure, that wins her loads of hearts, but it also gets some side-eyes. Some folks think she's making the whole tradwife scene look a bit too fairy-tale-ish, maybe even sugarcoating a lifestyle that's not for everyone. But hey, with millions of followers eating up every crumb she drops, plenty of people seem to be digging her recipe for life (pun intended).

If you aren't jealous, good for you, If you are, welcome to the club. Let's cut to the chase: Are we jealous? Absolutely. But why? Is it the flawless execution of a Tuesday night dinner that looks like a Thanksgiving feast? Or is it the picturesque family life, the radiant health, and the happiness with which she embraces her Tradwife household duties? Yes, yes, and yes.

But here's the deeper cut: Nara’s life is a beautifully curated exhibition. We see the victories, the homemade cheese, the laughter with gorgeous children, and the supportive, equally gorgeous husband. What we don’t see? Likely, the same everyday chaos, doubts, and tired evenings that every parent knows all too well. It’s the nature of social media to show the highlight reel, and Nara’s is no exception.

Now listen, Gen Z has a real problem and its name is Parasocial Relationships. Following someone like Nara can create what’s known as a "parasocial relationship", where viewers feel a one-sided emotional attachment to a person who doesn’t know they exist. This can blur the lines between admiration and envy, leading us to believe we truly know her. We fall for the perfection because it’s easy, it's comforting, and it fills a void in our messy, unfiltered lives.

So, if you find yourself green-eyed and gritting your teeth as you watch Nara elegantly garnish a dish while you can barely garnish your microwave dinner, remember this: it’s okay. It’s okay to come home exhausted. It’s okay to not make everything from scratch. It’s okay to live a life that’s beautifully imperfect.

If you're feeling jealous go outside, touch grass, and live YOUR life.

For the many who’ve felt inadequate watching Nara's TikTok, remember, Gen Z’s penchant for "watching" over "doing" doesn’t have to dictate your self-worth. Focus on what’s within your bandwidth. Your capabilities aren’t someone else’s, and you're not failing by not living up to a meticulously edited life showcased in bite-sized, highly digestible TikTok videos.

You don’t have to be Nara Smith. You just need to be you. Whether that's making a PB&J with store-bought ingredients or just managing to get a meal on the table after a long day. Each effort is valid, each day is your own, and in the grand scheme of life, every type of dish—and life—is worth celebrating.

So next time you scroll through TikTok and pause on Nara’s latest culinary creation, admire it, enjoy it, but don’t let it define your own kitchen escapades. After all, every chef has their secret ingredient. For us mere mortals? It’s keeping it real—one imperfect meal at a time.