By Taylor McGrath — Founder, The Self Collective · 5 min read
The that girl routine has taken over our feeds — the 6am starts, the green smoothies, the journalling in perfect morning light. And while the aesthetic is lovely, here's the truth: "that girl" isn't a look, she's a feeling. She's a woman who keeps promises to herself. This guide keeps everything worth keeping from the trend and gently releases the pressure that comes with it.
What the That Girl Routine Actually Is
At its core, the that girl routine is a collection of self-respecting habits: waking with intention, moving your body, eating something nourishing, journaling, and tidying your space and mind. None of this is new — women have practised morning rituals forever — but the trend packaged it beautifully and reminded a generation that discipline can be a form of self-love.
The trap is mistaking the aesthetic for the substance. You don't need matching activewear, a $70 water bottle or a 5am alarm. You need a rhythm that makes you feel like yourself before the world starts asking things of you.
"That girl" was never about the matcha — she's the woman who keeps promises to herself.
A Realistic That Girl Routine (Morning to Night)
MORNING (20–40 MINUTES)
- Wake at a consistent time — whatever time actually suits your life. Consistency beats earliness.
- No phone for the first 20 minutes. Let your first thoughts be yours.
- Hydrate, then make your bed. Two tiny wins before breakfast.
- Journal three lines: how you feel, your intention, one gratitude.
- Move for 10–30 minutes — a walk, stretch or workout you don't dread.
DAY & EVENING
- Eat like you matter. Nourishing, unfussy meals — no food rules, just care.
- One focused block of deep work on something that moves your own goals forward.
- A 10-minute evening reset: tidy the space, set out tomorrow's essentials.
- Wind down off-screen — skincare, a book, gentle stretching.
- Close the day in your journal: one win, one thing you're releasing before sleep.
Keeping the Glow Without the Pressure
The quickest way to ruin a lovely routine is perfectionism. Some mornings will be interrupted, rushed or skipped entirely — that doesn't disqualify you from being "that girl". Aim for most days, not all days, and shrink the routine on hard mornings rather than abandoning it: one journal line, one glass of water, one deep breath still counts.
It also helps to remember why you're doing this. The routine is a vehicle for self improvement for women, not a performance for an invisible audience. If the aesthetic starts to feel like another standard to fail at, soften it — the slower, gentler cousin of this trend is the soft life, and it's just as transformative. And if you want your routine to ladder up to something bigger, pair it with a plan to level up your life one season at a time.
Ready to Go Deeper?
If you want the substance behind the aesthetic — 21 guided days of journaling, affirmations and gentle structure on the journey back to yourself — join our 21-Day Challenge, or begin gently with the 7-Day Reset.
FAQs About the That Girl Routine
What is the that girl routine?
It's a trending lifestyle routine built on intentional mornings, movement, nourishing food, journaling and tidy spaces — essentially self-respect turned into daily habits.
Do I have to wake up at 5am to be that girl?
No — consistency matters far more than the hour. A calm, intentional 7:30am start counts just as much as a sunrise one.
How long does it take for the routine to feel natural?
Most women find the rhythm settles within two to three weeks, especially when habits are anchored to existing rituals like coffee or commuting.
What if my that girl routine falls apart on busy days?
Shrink it instead of skipping it — one journal line, water and a stretch keep the identity alive until life calms down.
About the Founder
Taylor McGrath is the founder of The Self Collective and the creator of the 21-Day Challenge and 7-Day Reset. Through journaling, affirmations and guided self discovery, Taylor helps women reconnect with who they really are — one gentle daily practice at a time.
I'll see you soon, xo — Taylor