Why These Women Want to Be TikTok's "Cool Aunt"

Photos courtesy of Kelsey Kawamoto and Hershy Photos courtesy of Kelsey Kawamoto and Hershy

Revving a sports car. Hiking a stunning trail. Taking a caviar bump. Surfing a massive wave. These aren't the pursuits most girls are encouraged to chase as they grow up — and for the "cool aunts" of TikTok , that's exactly the point.

Of all the trends that sweep through the app, this one has harnessed the joy of self-determination better than any other. Set to a Kanye song remixed with a track by Nemzzz, a "cool aunt" video (sometimes called "Plan B") typically opens with a list that reads something like: "Plan A: married by 25, homeowner by 27, kids by 30." But when the beat drops, so do a slew of clips of all the amazing things the creator has done with her life instead of hitting those con