That Girl Routine: A Realistic Guide To Becoming Her

The most perfect that girl routine for women who want to be healthier, better, and happier in their everyday life.

Every woman who scrolls the Internet knows ‘that girl’.

She glows in golden hour light, sips her matcha latte, and journals in a linen-covered bed with perfectly fluffed pillows.

Her life looks like a Pinterest board come to life.

It’s all very inspiring, and also slightly intimidating, and yet that doesn’t stop us from wanting to be more like her, right?

But the thing is, we all have a little bit of ‘that girl’ in us already.

She’s the version of you that feels grounded, that takes care of herself without guilt, that moves through her day with quiet confidence.

She’s not perfect, but she’s just present, aware, and as healthy as she can be while taking care of her responsibilities.

In this post, you’ll find a realistic ‘that girl’ routine to bring this healthy version of yourself to the front.

I’ve segmented the routine into three categories: morning, afternoon, and night.

You can choose to do only parts of this routine, or follow the entire routine once or twice a week to keep your ‘that girl’ energy running high.

Or if you can, maybe make this your everyday routine (might not be sustainable with a long-hours job or if you have kids, but you can always just pick whatever fits you).

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Okay, I am super excited for this, so let’s just dive in now!

ULTIMATE ‘THAT GIRL’ ROUTINE

That Girl Morning Routine

You might be expecting a busy morning routine, but really, ‘that girl’ mornings are not rushed. Or rather, they shouldn’t be (don’t be fooled by the reels you see online).

There’s no chaos, no scrambling, no realizing you forgot to charge your phone at 7:58 a.m.

As that girl, you need to learn to wake up with space to breathe, think, and ease into the day instead of being jolted into it.

And no, you don’t need to become a 5am girlie to unlock this feeling. Here’s what to do:

1. Wake Up By 7 AM

Waking up super early sounds productive in theory, but if you’re dragging through the afternoon like a zombie, what’s the point?

That girl doesn’t chase extremes. She finds what works for her body and her schedule.

Aim to leave your bed by 6:30 am or 7:00 am.

It’s early enough to have quiet moments before the world starts demanding from you, but late enough that you’re not sacrificing sleep.

Because trust me, queen, sleep is the foundation for everything. Without it, no morning routine in the world will make you feel like her.

If you’re naturally a night owl, that’s okay, too.

You don’t have to fight your biology here, but just give yourself enough buffer time in the morning so you’re not starting your day already behind. Cool?

2. Make Your Bed

I know that making your bed sounds like the kind of advice your mom gave you when you were twelve.

But it matters because making your bed is a tiny act of self-respect.

It’s you telling yourself that you care about your space and how you start your day.

Also, it’s very satisfying walking back into your room later and seeing it neat and inviting.

It’s a small accomplishment that sets you up for good vibes for later in the day.

Just by doing this, you’d have done one thing right in your day, even before it’s 7:15.

3. Hydrate First Thing

Before coffee, before scrolling, and before anything else — drink your water, lady.

Your body just went 7-8 hours without hydration. Drinking a full glass of water first thing is like giving your system a gentle wake-up call.

Some women swear by adding lemon for a little vitamin C boost and flavor. Others just go straight to water. Either way, it’s non-negotiable for ‘that girl’.

Keep a water bottle or glass on your bedside table the night before so that it’s stupidly simple to hydrate yourself in the morning.

I do this and don’t go a single morning without hydration.

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4. Move Your Body

A lot of women think ‘that girl’ is doing intense HIIT workouts at 6 am or running five miles before sunrise. And sure, maybe some are, but you don’t have to.

You just need to move in a way that feels good to you.

That could be a yoga flow, a walk around your neighborhood while listening to your favorite podcast, a pilates session, dancing in your living room, or stretching on your bedroom floor while the sunlight pours in.

I love this 20-minute morning workout and can do it every day; that’s how good and fun it is!

Some days, you might need a sweaty workout. Other days, you might want a gentle movement that simply gets your blood flowing and clears your mind.

Both are valid, and both are ‘that girl’ energy.

5. Have a Slow and Nourishing Breakfast

This is where that girl really shines. She doesn’t grab a granola bar and run out the door.

She sits down, makes herself something nourishing and delicious, and then she actually enjoys her breakfast.

Here are some options to pick from:

Oats topped with berries and almond butter
Avocado toast with a perfectly runny egg
A smoothie bowl that’s equal parts healthy and beautiful
Yogurt with honey and fruit (my go-to these days because of how easy it is to make)

A secret ingredient for your breakfast is presence.

Light a candle, put on soft music, sit by a window, and put your phone in another room.

Taste your food, notice the textures, the flavors, and the warmth of your coffee cup in your hands.

You need to learn that breakfast isn’t just fuel for your body.

It’s a moment to slow down and remind yourself that you deserve this gentle start to the day, and you are here for it.

6. Journal or Read Something Inspiring

Before getting busy with her day, that girl takes a few minutes to ground herself in her own thoughts. She does this by either reading or writing.

And as someone who journals every morning, I can assure you that it is the most beautiful habit to keep.

You can write down three things you’re grateful for, set one intention for your day, or brain-dump anything that’s on your mind.

You can also just free-write for five minutes and see what comes out.

If you’re not a journaling person, that’s fine. Read a few pages of a book that fills you with calm energy. It can be poetry, personal development, or fiction that takes you somewhere beautiful.

Read something that reminds you there’s more to life than emails and deadlines.

This is how that girl primes her mindset. She fills her cup before anyone else can drain it. Lovely, isn’t it?

That Girl Afternoon Routine

Ah, the afternoon. That weird liminal space between morning motivation and evening exhaustion.

This is where most of us women lose steam, reach for our third coffee, and wonder why we feel so scattered.

But that girl afternoon routine takes care of this really well. It’s full of habits that will help you navigate your noons without running yourself out.

It’s all about finding a balance between productivity and self-preservation. Take a look:

1. Do Your Important Tasks First

That girl doesn’t just wing it. She has a plan for her day, and she goes about it by prioritizing her most important tasks first.

Why prioritize? Because willpower is a finite resource. You can’t expect yourself to stay motivated all day long.

Your brain is sharpest in the early part of the day.

So, as soon as you are done with your morning routine, jump into your routine by doing the important/scary things first.

Instead of procrastinating till night, attack your big and intimidating tasks when you have the most energy.

You can do this with a bullet journal, a digital to-do list, or a simple planner. This is the one I use:

That little dopamine hit of crossing out a task or ticking a box is like fuel. You’ll love it so much!

2. Stay Hydrated and Snack Smart

An afternoon slump often happens due to dehydration and low blood sugar.

Be smart by keeping a water bottle within arm’s reach at all times, and be strategic about your snacks.

Don’t reach for candy or chips (though no judgment if you do sometimes, because that girl is human too).

Keep things like almonds, fruit, hummus, and veggies, or Greek yogurt nearby. These are foods that will actually energize you instead of leading to a crash 30 minutes later.

That girl knows that focus isn’t just about being disciplined.

It’s also about how you fuel the body, so make sure you take care of yours, especially during the lazy afternoon hours.

3. Take Small Breaks

That girl doesn’t glorify burnout. She doesn’t brag about working through lunch or skipping breaks. She knows that rest is not lazy but strategic.

Every 60-90 minutes, step away from your work (whether it’s laptop, studying, or house chores).

Stretch your body, have a snack, water your plants, stare out the window for a minute, and let your mind wander. Take three deep breaths and reset.

These tiny pauses will keep you from hitting a wall by 4 pm!

4. Romanticize the Little Things

Okay, this one might sound a little ‘aesthetic’, but stay with me. Because this is actually one of the most underrated parts of that girl energy.

She doesn’t just tolerate her afternoon, but she makes it pleasant.

She plays soft music in the background, lights a candle at her desk, and sits by a window where the light is pretty.

She makes herself a cup of tea and takes a moment to enjoy it.

Why? Because your environment affects your energy.

When your space feels good, you feel good. When your surroundings are intentional, you show up with more intention.

As a true ‘that girl’, you shouldn’t wait for life to feel magical.

You can create little pockets of beauty and calm in the middle of an ordinary Wednesday afternoon.

This is what we call romanticizing, and it’s a beautiful thing to practice, trust me.

5. Step Outside If You Can

That girl knows that sometimes the best thing you can do for your productivity is to stop trying to be productive for a minute.

At some point during your afternoon, step outside, even just for five minutes, and even if it’s just to your balcony or your front porch.

Sunlight, fresh air, and the feeling of being somewhere other than your desk or couch are an instant reset button for your brain.

Breathe in the air, notice the sky, feel the breeze on your face, and let your nervous system recalibrate.

Then come back inside. I promise, you’ll feel more grounded and more ready to finish your day strong.

That Girl Evening Routine

If mornings are about building momentum, evenings are about releasing it.

This is where that girl transitions from doing to being.

She goes from productivity mode to self-care mode (from the noise of the world to the quiet of her own company).

This is sacred time. This is where she reclaims her peace, and you can too with these evening rituals:

1. Move Your Body Again

You’ve already moved once in your day, which was your mornings.

But a gentle evening exercise is just as important to release the tension your body has been holding all day.

You can take a walk while the sun sets, do yoga, or stretch on your living room floor while listening to calming music.

These days, my choice of evening movement is a 30-minute walk workout.

There are many fun ones on YouTube that you can follow along to. They go by so fast, are easy, but make you sweat so good.

2. Have a Cozy and Healthy Dinner

That girl doesn’t restrict herself when it comes to food. She doesn’t eat sad salads or punish herself with boring diet food.

She makes meals that are nourishing and satisfying.

And after years of trial and error with my eating habits, I have realized that really is the key to having a good relationship with food.

Here are some meal ideas that tick off both cozy and healthy:

Pasta with roasted vegetables and a sprinkle of parmesan
Dal-chawal with a side of yogurt (Indian)
Big bowl of ramen with soft-boiled eggs and greens
Homemade soup and bread

You see what I mean? Eat dinners that make both your body and soul feel full. It’s seriously not hard to achieve at all.

3. Do Your Skincare and Self-Care

This is where, as that girl, you get into your cozy wind-down zone. Take care of your skin and yourself!

Some ideas:

Cleanse your face and wash away the day (literally and metaphorically)
Moisturize and take your time with it
Do a face mask once a week
Rub your favorite essential oil on your pulse points
Give yourself a quick facial massage
Paint your nails
Take a long, hot shower

A consistent skincare routine like this will keep your skin glowing and healthy, and also work like a signal for your brain to enter rest mode now.

4. Reflect on Your Day

That girl doesn’t go to bed without acknowledging the day she just lived, and you shouldn’t either.

Journal about your day. Write down what went well, even if it was just small things, because it’s good to notice good things.

Reflect on what you learned and how you grew.

It’s okay if you don’t write at all. You can just sit in bed for a few minutes, thinking, breathing, and letting the day settle.

That girl doesn’t chase perfection, and she definitely doesn’t beat herself up over what didn’t go right.

She simply notices the good in her beautifully imperfect life and carries that energy into her sleep.

5. Limit Screen Time Before Bed

This one’s tough, I know. We’re all guilty of the bedtime scroll.

But trading Instagram for a book, or TikTok for a few minutes of stretching, actually helps you sleep better.

Blue light messes with your melatonin. The constant stimulation keeps your brain wired.

And tell me honestly, do you ever feel better after scrolling for 45 minutes before bed? Probably not.

So be that girl and set your digital boundaries at night.

Leave your phone in another room or switch to airplane mode at 9 pm sharp, and instead commit to reading a chapter of some book before bed.

Let your mind slow down before sleep; it’ll make all the difference to your routine and energy.

6. Sleep Early

Here’s the truth that no woman wants to hear but needs to: no routine works without sleep.

That girl knows that beauty sleep is real.

She knows that her mood, her skin, her focus, her energy, all of it depends on whether she’s giving her body the recovery time it needs at night.

She doesn’t sacrifice sleep for productivity.

She doesn’t stay up scrolling or binge-watching shows and then wonder why she feels like garbage the next day.

She protects her sleep like it’s sacred, because it is.

So, please, dear girl. Go to bed at a reasonable hour, possibly by 11 pm (see, reasonable).

Create a calming environment by making it cool, dark, and quiet, and let yourself rest deeply.

The next day, if you want to, you can do it all over again, or at least, some parts of it.

Because that girl energy isn’t something you find. It’s something you create, with habits, routines, and rituals that fit your lifestyle the best.

You’re already that girl, dear reader. You just have to give yourself permission to live like her more.

So, that was all on that girl routine! If the post helped you at all, drop a comment below please. And have fun trying out the habits and tips of your choice from the post!