Ever since the Dancing With The Stars finale, Alix Earle has been all over TikTok, not only for placing runner-up, but also for her very public breakup with her boyfriend, Braxton Berrios. And now, she’s viral again for something completely different: choosing Paris. On TikTok, “choosing Paris” has become shorthand for choosing yourself first, whether that’s a bold move, a literal trip, or just prioritizing your own growth over someone else’s drama.
Let’s be real: not every relationship is meant to last. Some end softly, others crash and burn, and a few teach lessons you never asked for. But while romantic relationships can be temporary, the one you have with yourself is lifelong. There’s something quietly powerful about the phrase “choosing Paris.” When Earle made that choice, it wasn’t just about a city — it was about choosing herself. For Gen Zers navigating college, relationships, and the constant pressure to have it all figured out, that idea hits home. Sometimes the most iconic glow-up isn’t a new relationship or big announcement, but the moment you decide to prioritize you.
And “choosing you” everywhere right now: people moving to new cities solo, ending draining situationships, deleting dating apps, starting therapy, switching majors, and saying no without overexplaining. It isn’t selfish at all; it’s really some self-respect. So, “choosing Paris” is choosing possibility, independence, and the version of yourself that finally feels aligned.
What does the “Choosing Paris” TikTok trend mean?
There are countless wellness trends online, but the one hitting especially hard right before the holidays is “choosing Paris.” It’s all over our feeds — yes, even on MomTok — and no, it’s not actually about Paris at all (sorry, Emily in Paris). Instead, the trend is shorthand for choosing yourself when life hands you a fork in the road, especially when one path involves staying stuck, settling, or shrinking to fit someone else’s expectations.
“Choosing Paris” has become the internet’s favorite metaphor: the job you take even though it’s scary, the semester abroad you finally say yes to, the breakup you stop romanticizing, or even the night you stay in because rest is the vibe. And maybe that’s why it’s resonating so deeply right now. The holidays are coming, emotions are high, hometown exes are lurking, and everyone is reevaluating their life choices at 2 a.m. Choosing Paris is permission to stop waiting for closure, validation, or a “what if.” It’s deciding that you don’t need to be chosen because you already chose yourself.
Where did the “Choosing Paris” come from?
While “choosing Paris” is very much a real-life trend right now, the idea itself has been living rent-free in pop culture for years. It’s basically the ultimate main-character move — choosing yourself over a relationship, a hometown, or a life that suddenly feels too small.
Think about it: on Friends, Rachel gets on (and off) a literal plane to Paris, forcing us to ask the timeless question: love… or you? In The Summer I Turned Pretty, Belly is constantly choosing between boys who complicate her life and the versions of herself that she’s still figuring out — and somehow, she still chooses to go Paris. (And reality TV? Don’t even get me started. Lauren and Jason from The Hills walked so “choosing Paris” could run.)
How can I choose my own Paris?
If you take anything away from this trend, let it be this: choose you every time. And not just because something went wrong. Sometimes nothing bad happened at all. Sometimes life is actually going pretty well, and you still decide to choose yourself. That’s allowed.
Choosing yourself means recognizing when something no longer serves you and having the courage to walk away anyway. It’s studying abroad instead of staying for someone who isn’t sure. It’s about romanticizing your own life, trusting the unknown, and believing that if something (or someone) is truly meant for you, it won’t disappear just because you put yourself first.
The good news? You don’t need a passport, a breakup, or a viral moment to “choose Paris.” Sometimes Paris is a boundary. Sometimes it’s a bold yes. Sometimes it’s walking away without a dramatic explanation and trusting that future-you knows exactly what she’s doing. So whether your Paris is a literal plane ticket, a breakup, a boundary, or just a mindset shift, remember this: relationships may come and go, but choosing yourself will always be the right destination.