You’ve probably seen her on social media—the woman who wakes up at 5 AM, does yoga in matching activewear, makes a green smoothie, and journals before the sun even rises. She’s glowing, she’s calm, and somehow her life just seems… together.
That’s the “That Girl” aesthetic, and honestly? I used to roll my eyes at it too. But after months of chaotic mornings, hitting snooze five times, and starting every day already feeling behind, I decided to give it a real try.
And here’s what happened: my entire life shifted. Not because I became some perfect Instagram version of myself, but because these simple morning habits gave me something I desperately needed—control over how I started my day.
If you’re ready to stop surviving your mornings and start thriving, here are the 7 habits that actually work.
1. Wake Up Before the World Does (Yes, Even on Weekends)
I know, I know. Waking up early sounds like torture. But here’s the thing—when you wake up before everyone else, you get something precious: uninterrupted time for yourself.
You don’t have to start at 5 AM. Try waking up just 30 minutes earlier than usual. Use that time for something that fills your cup, not your to-do list.
**The secret?** Put your phone across the room so you have to physically get up to turn off the alarm. Once you’re up, you’re up.
2. Hydrate Like Your Life Depends on It
Before coffee, before breakfast, before anything—drink water. Your body has been fasting for 7-8 hours, and it’s dehydrated.
I keep a large glass of water on my nightstand and drink it the moment I wake up. Some mornings I add lemon for extra detox benefits, but plain water works perfectly fine.
**Pro tip:** If plain water feels boring, try adding a splash of apple cider vinegar or fresh mint leaves.
3. Move Your Body (But Make It Enjoyable)
Forget the “no pain, no gain” mentality. The “That Girl” morning routine isn’t about punishing workouts—it’s about mindful movement that feels good.
Choose activities you actually enjoy:
- 15 minutes of yoga or stretching
- – A quick walk around the block
- – Dancing to your favorite playlist
- – Simple Pilates exercises
The goal isn’t to burn calories. It’s to wake up your body, boost your mood, and get your blood flowing. Movement releases endorphins, and endorphins make everything feel more manageable.
4. Nourish Your Body with a Healthy Breakfast
What you eat in the morning sets the tone for your energy levels all day. Skip the sugary cereals and processed foods that cause energy crashes.
Instead, focus on:
- **Protein:** Eggs, Greek yogurt, or a protein smoothie
- – **Healthy fats:** Avocado, nuts, or nut butter
- – **Complex carbs:** Oatmeal, whole grain toast, or fresh fruit
My go-to “That Girl” breakfast is overnight oats with berries, chia seeds, and almond butter. It takes 5 minutes to prep the night before and keeps me full until lunch.
5. Practice Mindfulness (Even If It’s Just 5 Minutes)
Meditation sounds intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Even 5 minutes of intentional stillness can transform your mental state.
Here’s what works for me:
- Sit comfortably (in bed is fine!)
- – Close your eyes
- – Focus on your breath
- – When thoughts come, acknowledge them and return to breathing
If sitting still feels impossible, try guided meditations on apps like Headspace or Calm. Or simply sit with your morning coffee and just… be present.
6. Journal Your Intentions
There’s magic in putting pen to paper. Journaling helps you process emotions, set intentions, and gain clarity on what actually matters.
You don’t need to write pages. Try these simple prompts:
- **3 things I’m grateful for today**
- – **1 thing I want to accomplish**
- – **How do I want to feel today?**
This practice takes less than 5 minutes but creates powerful mental shifts. You’re literally programming your brain for positivity before the chaos of the day begins.
7. Get Ready with Intention
The final piece of the “That Girl” puzzle: getting ready mindfully. This doesn’t mean spending hours on hair and makeup. It means taking care of yourself with intention.
- Do your skincare routine slowly, not rushed
- – Wear clothes that make you feel confident
- – Play music or a podcast that inspires you
- – Look in the mirror and say something kind to yourself
When you rush through getting ready, you carry that frantic energy into your day. When you slow down, you carry peace.
The Real Truth About “That Girl” Morning Routines
Here’s what Instagram won’t tell you: you don’t have to do all of this perfectly. Some days I sleep through my alarm. Some days my breakfast is just coffee. Some days my meditation is me sitting in my car for 2 minutes before work.
The point isn’t perfection—it’s intention. It’s choosing to start your day on your terms, even if that looks messy sometimes.
The “That Girl” morning routine isn’t about becoming someone else. It’s about becoming the version of yourself who actually has time for self-care. Who feels calm instead of chaotic. Who starts each day knowing she already did something good for herself.
Your Realistic Morning Routine Timeline
Here’s how to fit it all in, even if you’re not a morning person:
**6:00 AM** – Wake up, drink water
**6:05 AM** – 10 minutes of stretching or yoga
**6:15 AM** – Skincare routine
**6:25 AM** – Make breakfast, eat mindfully
**6:45 AM** – 5 minutes of journaling
**6:50 AM** – Get dressed with intention
**7:00 AM** – Start your day feeling grounded
Adjust times based on your schedule. The key is building habits that work for YOUR life, not someone else’s perfectly curated feed.
Final Thoughts
Becoming “That Girl” isn’t about aesthetic or trends. It’s about finally giving yourself the attention you deserve before the world starts demanding pieces of you.
Start small. Pick one or two habits from this list and commit to them for two weeks. Notice how you feel. Then add more.
Your mornings set the tone for your entire day. Make them count.
Ready to transform your mornings? Start tomorrow. Set your alarm 30 minutes early, drink your water, and do one thing just for you. Future you will be so grateful you did.
