Tove Lo’s “Habits (Stay High)” is more than a chart-topping hit — it’s a raw, unfiltered portrait of emotional breakdown and coping mechanisms. The music video, directed by Motellet, pairs haunting lyrics with equally haunting visuals. Every frame drips with symbolism, from the bathtub scenes to the glittering party sequences. This deep dive unpacks the visual storytelling, explores the hidden meanings, and connects the song’s themes to our own real-life habits — including how we can replace destructive patterns with healthier ones like regular workouts and proper nutrition. While you analyze the habits depicted, consider building better habits with a reliable protein source like Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder, Double Rich Chocolate to support your recovery and energy.
Table of Contents
The Context of the Song and Video
Released in 2013, “Habits (Stay High)” became a global phenomenon. Tove Lo wrote it after a painful breakup, capturing the spiral of using alcohol, drugs, and partying to numb the pain. The video amplifies this narrative through stark, almost voyeuristic imagery. It’s not glamorized — it’s raw, messy, and deeply relatable for anyone who has used external habits to fill an internal void.
The visual storytelling in the video mirrors the song’s structure: verses of chaotic scenes, a chorus that bursts with desperation, and a bridge that peels back the illusion. Tove Lo herself described the video as “a visual representation of what it feels like to be out of control.”
Symbolism in the Visuals
1. The Bathtub: Vulnerability and Overindulgence
The video opens with Tove Lo lying in a bathtub, fully dressed, submerged in water. This image recurs throughout. The bathtub symbolizes both vulnerability and escape — a womb-like space where she can retreat from the world. But the water is also a symbol of drowning in one’s own emotions. She’s floating, but not peacefully. It’s a visual metaphor for being submerged in grief while trying to stay afloat.
The bathtub scenes are shot with soft, blue lighting, contrasting sharply with the harsh, colored party scenes. This duality emphasizes the split between public persona and private pain.
2. The Pills and Bottles: Chemical Coping
Throughout the video, pills and alcohol bottles appear frequently. Tove Lo pops pills, drinks directly from a bottle, and lets pills scatter like confetti. These are not glamorous — they’re shown as props in a desperate ritual. The symbolism is blunt: she’s medicating her emotional wounds with substances.
In one shot, she holds a bottle of liquor while wearing a crown, a heartbreaking image of a queen who has lost her kingdom. The crown is another recurring symbol of false self-worth derived from temporary highs.
3. The Party Scenes: The Illusion of Connection
The video cuts between intimate, lonely shots and crowded party scenes. At the parties, she dances, kisses strangers, and appears high. But the camera often isolates her in the frame, even in a crowd. This visual technique highlights the disconnect between seeking connection and feeling more alone than ever.
The colorful strobe lights, messy hair, and blurred faces all suggest a loss of identity. The party is not freedom — it’s a cage of repetition. This is a critical insight for anyone who has ever used socializing or partying as a way to avoid facing themselves.
4. The Mirror: Self-Reflection and Distortion
A powerful moment in the video shows Tove Lo staring at herself in a mirror, but her reflection seems separate from her. She touches the glass, almost trying to rejoin herself. The mirror symbolizes the fractured self — she doesn’t recognize the person she’s become under the influence of grief and substances.
This scene is a turning point, hinting that awareness of the problem is the first step toward change. It’s a visual call to self-honesty.
5. The Crown and the Heart Tattoo: Identity and Love
Tove Lo wears a small tiara-like crown in several scenes. It’s a nod to her stage name (Tove Lo means “Tove the lo” — a playful reference to her Swedish roots, but the crown also represents the false sense of power that comes with being “the life of the party.” Yet under the crown, she’s crying.
Her heart tattoo, visible on her chest, is a literal symbol of her emotional core. As she acts out, the tattoo remains constant — a reminder that the heart is still there, hurting, beneath all the noise.
Visual Storytelling Techniques
Color Palette: Despair vs. Mania
The video uses two distinct color palettes. Desaturated, cool blues and grays dominate the bathtub and bedroom scenes, evoking sadness and isolation. In contrast, the party scenes are saturated with neon pinks, greens, and yellows — colors of artificial excitement. The shift between these palettes mirrors the manic swing of someone using substances to escape, only to crash back into emptiness.
Pacing and Editing: The Rhythm of a Spiral
The editing is quick and jarring during the party sequences, with shots lasting only a second or two. This mimics the frantic, disjointed experience of being under the influence. During the more vulnerable moments, the camera lingers — slow pans and close-ups that force the viewer to sit in the discomfort with her.
This pacing keeps the audience emotionally engaged, making the video feel like a short film rather than a standard music video.
Juxtaposition: Public vs. Private
One of the video’s strongest techniques is the constant cut between Tove Lo alone and Tove Lo surrounded by people. The juxtaposition highlights the isolation that often accompanies heavy partying. She’s never truly connecting with anyone — even when kissing or dancing.
This visual duality is a powerful reminder that external habits, no matter how socially acceptable, can deepen internal loneliness.
Connection to Real-Life Habits
The song and video are about a specific toxic habit: using substances to avoid pain. But the underlying message applies to many habits we form. Whether it’s overeating, overspending, binge-watching, or compulsive social media scrolling, we all have ways of numbing ourselves when life gets hard.
Tove Lo’s story is a cautionary tale, but also a source of empathy. She doesn’t glorify the behavior; she exposes it. For anyone struggling with unhealthy habits, the video can be a mirror — a chance to see the cycle for what it is.
The path forward involves replacing destructive habits with constructive ones. That’s where building a routine grounded in physical health, like consistent exercise and proper nutrition, becomes a lifeline. A simple switch, like choosing a high-quality protein shake over a cocktail, can be a small but powerful step toward a healthier mindset.
Expert Insights and Analysis
Dr. Lisa Firestone, a clinical psychologist and expert on self-destructive behaviors, notes that the video “perfectly captures the paradox of addiction: the more you try to escape yourself, the more trapped you become.” She explains that the mirror scene is particularly potent — it shows the moment of cognitive dissonance where the person sees the gap between who they are and who they pretend to be.
Music video critic Chris DeVille points out that the video’s raw aesthetic was groundbreaking for a pop artist in 2013. “Tove Lo didn’t sanitize the experience,” he says. “She let the mess show. That authenticity is why the song still resonates a decade later.”
These insights reinforce that the video is not just a marketing tool — it’s a piece of art that invites reflection.
How to Replace Destructive Habits with Positive Ones
The video ends without a neat resolution. Tove Lo is still in the bathtub, still surrounded by pills, still alone. But that open ending is realistic. Change doesn’t happen overnight. It starts with small, deliberate shifts.
If you identify with the longing to escape, here are practical steps to redirect that energy:
- Identify the trigger. What feeling are you trying to avoid? Boredom, sadness, loneliness?
- Replace the action. Instead of reaching for a drink, reach for a glass of water or a protein shake. The physical act of drinking can be satisfying.
- Move your body. Exercise releases endorphins that naturally lift mood. Pair it with a quality protein source for recovery.
- Build a morning ritual. Start the day with intentionality — meditate, journal, or make a smoothie with protein powder.
Protein powder can be a surprising ally in habit change. It provides structure (a specific time and way to prepare it), nutrition (fueling your body supports mental clarity), and a sense of accomplishment. It’s a small win that builds momentum.
Recommended Protein Powders for Building Healthy Habits
If you’re ready to replace old coping mechanisms with healthy rituals, these protein powders can help you stay consistent. Each one has been chosen for quality, taste, and ease of use.
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder, Double Rich Chocolate – $44.99 – Rating: 4.6
A classic choice with 24g of protein per scoop. Mixes easily and tastes great.
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard, Vanilla Ice Cream, 5 lb – $79.99 – Rating: 4.7
The larger tub offers better value. Perfect for daily use.
Premier Protein Powder, Chocolate Milkshake – $25.97 – Rating: 4.6
30g protein, 1g sugar, and gluten-free. A budget-friendly option that tastes like a treat.
Orgain Organic Vegan Protein Powder, Vanilla Bean – $31.52 – Rating: 4.5
Plant-based with 21g protein and added prebiotic fiber. Great for anyone avoiding dairy.
Dymatize ISO 100 Whey Protein Powder, Vanilla, 5 lb – $108.99 – Rating: 4.7
Hydrolyzed isolate for rapid absorption. Ideal post-workout recovery.
Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate, French Vanilla – $59.99 – Rating: 4.5
Natural flavors, no artificial sweeteners. Clean ingredient profile.
Body Fortress Super Advanced Whey Protein, Vanilla – $45.28 – Rating: 4.6
Includes immune-supporting vitamins C, D, and zinc. Great value.
Six Star Whey Protein Powder, Triple Chocolate – $24.97 – Rating: 4.5
Affordable and effective. Contains both isolate and peptides.
Isopure Zero Carb Whey Isolate, Unflavored – $89.95 – Rating: 4.4
Zero carbs, zero fat. Unflavored for mixing into anything.
Orgain Organic Vegan Protein + 50 Superfoods – $34.15 – Rating: 4.6
Extra nutrients for an overall health boost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of Tove Lo’s “Habits” music video?
The video explores the cycle of using alcohol, drugs, and reckless behavior to numb emotional pain after a breakup. It emphasizes the loneliness and emptiness that come with such coping mechanisms.
What does the bathtub symbolize in the video?
The bathtub represents vulnerability, retreat, and emotional drowning. It’s a recurring motif showing Tove Lo’s desire to escape her feelings while remaining trapped in them.
How does the video use color to tell the story?
Cool, desaturated tones are used for intimate, sad scenes, while bright neons appear in party sequences. This contrast highlights the manic swing between isolation and forced celebration.
What is the significance of the mirror scene?
The mirror scene shows Tove Lo confronting a disconnected reflection of herself. It symbolizes self-awareness and the beginning of recognizing the destructive pattern.
How does the video relate to building healthier habits?
The video is a powerful example of how destructive habits can consume a person. By recognizing the pattern, viewers can choose to replace harmful coping mechanisms with positive routines, such as exercise and proper nutrition.
Where can I learn more about the meaning of the song?
Read our detailed analysis: The Story Behind Tove Lo's 'Habits (Stay High)' – Lyrics, Meaning, and Inspiration and Tove Lo's 'Habits' Hit: How a Personal Anthem Became a Global Pop Phenomenon.
Final Thoughts
Tove Lo’s “Habits” video remains a masterclass in visual storytelling. Its symbols — the bathtub, the pills, the mirror, the crown — give us language to discuss the struggle between the desire to escape and the need to heal. The video doesn’t offer easy answers, but it offers truth.
You can use that truth as a starting point. Next time you feel the urge to reach for an old habit, pause. Ask yourself what you’re really hungry for. And consider reaching for a protein shake instead — it won’t solve everything, but it will fuel the strength you need to change the story.
Start your new habit today with Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder, Vanilla Ice Cream, 2 Pound and see where small steps can lead.