How to Actually Become “That Girl”

Have you seen the “That Girl” trend on TikTok? I’d bet my hard-earned coins that you have. You know, the girl with glowing skin, a 5 AM morning routine, who drinks her water and matcha religiously, and does this in a picture-perfect space? 

At first, I aspired to be that girl. I mean, who wouldn’t want such a lifestyle?

But over time, I became skeptical.

I am not saying there’s something wrong with such videos. I just think they’re a little unrealistic. That version of “That Girl” focuses entirely on the camera and aesthetics, and not on how much of a rollercoaster real life can be. 

Everybody is after the likes, after showcasing their high-end lifestyles. No one is talking about the days when they struggle to wake up. The slow mornings. The days they opt out of working out “just because.”  

“That Girl,” as a concept, isn’t about a picture-perfect life or your social media curation. “That Girl” is bigger than that, and yet more grounded. She’s someone interested in getting the best of herself. She’s not perfect, but she’s someone you admire. Someone who understands consistency is more important than perfection. And acknowledges that there are good and bad days. She prioritizes practices that make her live her best life without external pressure. Spending time doing things that make her feel good.

Becoming that girl is not a cast-in-stone. You can become “that girl” in your own unique way. Your goal should be to better yourself.

These simple habits and routines can help you become “That Girl”.

1. Define What “That Girl” Means to You

Before we get into any habits, we have to start with the most important question. Who is “that girl?”

You can come up with your own definition. And you should.

Every habit below will only work if it’s actually pointing somewhere. Otherwise, you’re just copying someone else’s routine. 

Focus on your desires and areas you consider important in your life. What are your values as an individual? What do you wish to change in your life? And where do you picture yourself after a set period of time? Say 5 years? And what are you doing now to achieve that?

Grab your notebook and write down honest answers to these questions. Don’t aim to be impressive. Aim for the truth. Then break them down into 3 categories. 

• How you want to feel( energy, calmness, confidence(
• What you want to build ( career, savings, skills)
• And who you want around you

These questions and answers will serve as a compass. You’ll get to understand your health goals, financial targets, and career trajectory. You’ll know exactly what you want and, most importantly, how to get there. 

I’ve been using a weekly and monthly planner, and they help me track my progress.  You can also try doing the same to keep yourself accountable. Revisit your answers every few months. They are definitely allowed to change, and so are you. 

2. Wake up with intention

You don’t need to fit into the 5 AM morning gang to be that girl. Consider a morning routine that aligns with your energy levels and real life. Not some lifestyle you copied from an influencer on TikTok. Your morning routine may even start at 8 AM. But your goal should be doing something meaningful for yourself. What you do immediately after waking up sets the pace for your day. Avoid reaching for your phone right away when you wake up. 

Pay attention to yourself. You’re, after all, “that girl”. Step outside and get some fresh air and sunshine. Or you can just open the windows. Do some reflection. Get a tasty protein-filled breakfast. Or some mornings can be as simple as sitting in your favorite spot, sipping your water before doing anything else that demands your attention. Your aim should be to make some positive changes in your lifestyle. 

3. Hydrate

That girl is not about walking around with a large customized bottle with some green liquid in it. 

You just need to stay hydrated. Drink more water than your current intake to boost your energy, improve your mood, and for that glowing skin. 

If you can, start your day with water. Leave a bottle of drinking water on the nightstand in the evening for easy access in the morning. You can add some lemon or even cucumber for a refreshing taste and additional benefits. Reach for your bottle before your coffee. 

If you commit to drinking more water, you’ll definitely notice a difference in your energy, skin, and even mood. 

4. Sleep

If you only take one thing from this list, let it be that sleep is the habit behind every other habit. 

And it is so underrated in those aesthetic 5 AM morning routine videos. 

Sleep affects your energy, your mood, your skin, your cravings, and your ability to stick to anything else on this list. It should be a non- negotiable for “that girl”.

If you’re going to just change one thing, let it be this. 

Don’t try to complicate your night routine. Keep it simple. Pick a bedtime you can actually stick to. Avoid screens, yes, including your phone, at least 30 minutes before bed. Keep your room dark and cool. And most importantly, when you have a bad day, don’t spiral; try again tomorrow. 

5. Move that body, but not just for gram

The TikTok version of “That Girl” looks good on camera in matching sets, doing yoga on a cute yoga mat. She strives to do what everyone is trying to do online. And not what her body wants. Looks good on camera, but honestly, it’s tiring.

The real “that girl” moves her body to get more energy, feel stronger, and feel her best. She doesn’t push herself to pilates just because every clean girl is all about that.

A 2022 meta-analysis found that moderate-intensity exercise improves feelings of energy. Basically, a brisk walk can do more for your day than a punishing workout that you dread. So, don’t overdo it.

That girl’s version of moving the body isn’t a one-size-fits-all. You don’t have to work out for 2 hours every day or spend hours on end on the treadmill. 

Go for a workout routine you actually enjoy. It could be daily walks, dancing, or strength training two or three times a week. And be consistent. Show up again. And again, and again. Make that workout your way of life. Something that builds your confidence and contributes to your growth.

6. Let Your Environment Work For You

The trending “That Girl” has a perfect space and a spotless apartment. You may not need all that. 

But you need to declutter your space. Clutter takes away your energy and makes it hard for you to focus. 

Take a few minutes to keep your surroundings tidy. Make your bed. Put away laundry. Clear your mail box. I use the two-foot rule, and it makes my work so easy. The rule is simple: anything within two feet of where you’re standing or sitting that’s out of place, you put back right away. 

You can start with your kitchen counters and the area around your bed. Don’t focus on having perfectly curated spaces. But your goal should be to keep the high-traffic spaces neat with minimal effort. You get to clear your thoughts and spend less time running your daily routine.

7. Eat Healthier 

You don’t need those gorgeous smoothie cups and aesthetic meal prep dishes to nourish your body. Well, while they may motivate you to eat healthy, proper nutrition doesn’t always have to look pretty. 

Eat protein. Toss in some vegetables. Blend in some fruit. As long as it’s whole ingredients or, at worst, minimally processed, it’s likely good for you. And it shouldn’t take much time to prepare. Ideally, you want to make it easier to enjoy high-protein, delicious meals every single day.  

You are free to do a bag of chips, but make it a once in a while kinda thing. Get used to homemade meals. They’re tastier and healthier. 

If you’re super busy, try meal prepping. It will save your time.

Eat intentionally. And while at it, listen to your body. 

8. Journal 

Becoming “that girl” doesn’t necessarily mean journaling daily. But it can definitely be good for you. You get to understand your true thoughts and connect with your emotions. And you understand what’s going on in your life. 

To make it a no-brainer habit rather than a chore, place your journal somewhere easily accessible and visible. It could be near your desk or bedside drawer next to your alarm clock. 

Keep it simple, 3 lines can actually make a huge difference in your life. Try prompts like: “What’s on my mind? Or what went well today? Or what’s one thing I must do tomorrow? 

And again, it’s not a must for you to journal daily or during a specific time. If you don’t feel like journaling today, you can always do it tomorrow as long as you make it a regular practice in your daily or weekly routine. The primary goal should be to declutter your thoughts, not to stick to a rigid schedule. 

9. Rest

Becoming “that girl” is not just about moving around and staying productive. Rest is just as important in fueling your productivity. 

Rest looks different to everybody. It can be as simple as just being there and doing absolutely nothing. Sometimes all you need is just lounging on the sofa, an afternoon nap, or going to bed early. And that’s not laziness. It’s actually a necessity. 

A study published by Disability and Rehabilitation Journal revealed that rest is an effective restorative tool for managing energy. The findings revealed that the participants felt recharged and restored after resting.

So, embrace resting as a recovery process. 

10. Curate What You Consume 

Here’s the irony of this whole post: the trend that makes us feel like we’re not doing enough is one we watch on a screen, at 11 PM, in bed. 

If a video leaves you feeling behind, rather than inspired, it is definitely not healthy. 

You’re watching someone’s highlighted reel, edited, lit, and filmed on their best day. And you’re unfortunately using that one video to judge yourself. 

Here’s my two cents. Unfollow or mute accounts that make you feel bad about yourself. Follow accounts that make you feel capable. 

11. Build Relationships and a Community. 

Most aesthetic videos online completely skip this. 

The people around you shape your days more than your routine does. Being “that girl” should not be a solo mission. 

Spend time with people who make you feel like yourself. Text the friend you’ve been meaning to call. Learn to say no to things that drain you. 

Building relationships is important because growth is easier when someone’s cheering for you, and you’re cheering back. 

12. Make Money, But Don’t Let it Consume You.

It’s no secret that the aesthetic version of “that girl” is definitely expensive. I mean, the matching sets, the branded bottle, the matcha every morning, the skincare shelf. 

However, your version of “that girl” doesn’t have to be super expensive. Walks are free, water is free, sleep is free.

You should definitely buy what genuinely helps you, but don’t let consumer culture have you buying everything. 

13. On the Days When It All Falls Apart. 

Serving “that girl” energy doesn’t have to be Pinterest-inspired and picture perfect. Defy limits and move beyond aesthetics.

Some days you’ll wake up late, skip your workout, or eat cereal for dinner. And that’s okay. Just try to plan for such days. 

For instance, build a minimum routine. These are simply 2 or 3 things you do no matter what. 

Mine are drinking water and going to bed at a reasonable hour. Pick yours and have something to fall back on when you’re absolutely drained and not at all excited about the day. 

You are the real “that girl”

You need to realize that you’re not in competition with anyone. And you don’t need to live like someone else to be that girl. The best version of “that girl” aesthetic is actually quite simple. It is all about identifying what you like and working towards becoming better. 

And sometimes, things may not always go as planned. So, don’t expect to be that girl at once. After all, your journey towards becoming a better version of yourself comes in baby steps. So, be kind to yourself.

Identify one thing and run with it for some time. It can be as simple as taking more steps or journaling. It will be boring. But the results are beautiful. You become a master of your own trade. Then, you can identify another thing once the first item becomes a part of you. 

Forget about perfection. Go slow. You’ll definitely achieve much more than you see on TikTok.