In the sprawling world of wellness, there seems to be endless ways to “get ahead,” “become a better you,” “heal your gut,” and before you know it you have become your own self-care project. To keep up with it all, a fascination with routines has spread across social media – in the pursuit of becoming ‘that girl.’ If you’ve scrolled through TikTok or Instagram lately, you know what I mean. The trend encompasses what it means to be someone who lives the life that everyone wants – well-curated, clean and the archetype of wellness. But before you dive down the TikTok rabbit hole of life hacks to find your own ‘that girl’ ideology, we’ve rounded up holistic habits that will help you get the most out of your routine.
Routines are comforting, as our own form of security over everything we have to deal with throughout the day. People often implement a routine to handle change but they’re useful to keep on hand regardless, as cornerstones of balance.
Striving for “perfect” health is a never-ending, ever-evolving journey. And with thousands of definitions out there for what this even means, there are elements that usually overlap – prioritizing sleep, reflection, healthy eating, movement and gratitude.
First, frame it this way: Value process over progress. Often, routines are centered around reward. But you don’t need to push yourself to live up to a romanticized routine if it isn’t sustainable for you. Your goal here doesn’t need to be to achieve something, but to find enjoyment in how you intentionally spend your time. If your outlook is all-or-nothing, there’s a higher tendency to give up and self-chastise when things don’t go to plan. It’s up to you to fine-tune your habits to feel the best in a routine that nurtures you.
Before getting started – actually, before reading the rest of this – take a big gulp of water. Hydration keeps your mind sharp, removes toxins and inflammation, and provides energy to the brain. Small reminders of minimal effort like this will help keep you energized and motivated for the rest of the day.
Some of us work better at different times of day than others, and capitalizing on yours has the potential to elevate your productivity. Early birds’ and night owls’ brains are proven to work differently – unsurprisingly, they work best at the times they’re named for. Scheduling windows for items on your to-do list will help to tackle each at a time. Outside the confines of a 9-5, you are free to create your own timetable that fits your energy, mood and responsibilities. It’s within your agency to formulate a system you can stay on top of.
It all starts in the morning. Treat this as your first dose of me-time in the day, and do what feels good: starting off with skincare, movement, meditation, coffee or catching up in your book. You don’t need to crack your knuckles and go pedal-to-the-medal right when you blink your eyes open, unless a deadline demands it – this is your opportunity to get mindful. Meditating is a great way to slowly rise, as it encourages you to relax and recenter. After that, maybe touch your toes or go for a run; not only can movement give you a burst of happy endorphins, but they can lower your stress gauge for the rest of the day. Following your own rhythm, no matter how “aesthetic,” will keep your happiness habitual.
One of the best parts of making lists is the satisfaction you get when you check off the boxes. They’re great to keep deadlines and personal goals organized by workflow, and, to further simplify this, rank your tasks in order of priority. An easy way to stay up-to-date is to enable automated calendar alerts on your phone, tablet or computer that will ping you when it’s time to refocus. To further add to the fun, you can create a “Finished” list, where you can view everything you’ve accomplished that day or week. This is just one of the ways to celebrate your achievements.
Taking guilt-free breaks is another way to get stuff done, however counterintuitive. Sometimes all you feel like doing is laying in bed and scrolling, or maybe taking a nap, and this can be an important part of balancing your day. It’s about how you talk to yourself about this off-time; it isn’t lazy or valueless – if it recharges your focus for later on or allows you time to check-in, it’s doing good.
A routine starts with one healthy habit, and builds from there. You own your day, and these are just a few ways to craft your happiness.
