There’s something about summer that just feels like the perfect reset button.
The lighter mornings. The longer days. That little extra buzz in the air.
And if you’ve ever caught yourself scrolling through Pinterest or TikTok thinking,
“I want to be that girl…”—you’re not alone.
But here’s the truth: being that girl isn’t about waking up at 5 a.m. with a green smoothie in hand or never having a bad day.
It’s about taking small steps that help you feel healthy, vibrant, clear-headed, and confident—in your own skin, and on your own terms.
You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight. You don’t even have to follow a trend.
You just have to show up for yourself, little by little, especially when the sunshine gives you a natural boost.
Why Summer Is the Best Time to Step Into That Girl Energy
Summer has a built-in sense of renewal. You sweat more. You move more. Your body craves water and color and sunlight.
And while the “that girl” aesthetic might look hyper-curated online, the real magic is in how you feel—not how it looks.
This season gives you the perfect playground to reset your habits, reconnect with your body, and upgrade your energy gently.
From feeling more confident in your skin to actually enjoying your wellness routine, summer offers ease and opportunity.
This isn’t about chasing a flawless version of yourself. It’s about creating an intentional one—refreshing, real, and rooted.
1. Hydrate Like It’s Your Full-Time Job (But Make It Cute)
Let’s start with the most basic but powerful habit—hydration.
You’ve heard it a million times because it works: drinking more water helps your skin, digestion, energy, and focus. But in the heat of summer, it’s not just helpful—it’s essential.
Start your day with a full glass of water before coffee or breakfast. Then carry a water bottle that actually makes you want to sip.
If plain water bores you, infuse it with cucumber, mint, or frozen berries. Keep a pitcher in the fridge so it’s always ready.
Iced herbal teas and coconut water also count. And yes, fresh fruit is hydration too. Watermelon, grapes, citrus—all full of water and joy.
Don’t overthink it. Just keep sipping.
You’ll be surprised how much lighter, clearer, and more glowy you feel with this one shift.
2. Glow Starts with Skincare (And a Lot of SPF)
You don’t need a 10-step routine or expensive serums. Just a few smart swaps for the season.
Start with sunscreen—at least SPF 30, daily. Even if you’re indoors, even if it’s cloudy. Your skin will thank you now and later.
Wash your face with cool water and a gentle cleanser. Foam or gel-based ones usually feel best in the heat.
Don’t skip moisturizer just because you’re sweating. Go for something lightweight with ingredients like hyaluronic acid—hydrating without clogging.
Exfoliate once or twice a week to clear dead skin and keep your face smooth and bright.
Lip balm with SPF? Yes, please. Oil blotting sheets in your bag? Game-changer.
Aloe vera gel is your summer bestie for sunburns, rashes, or just a cooling refresh. Pop it in the fridge for an extra chill moment.
3. Keep Your Workouts Light, Fun, and Changeable
You do not need to spend your summer indoors doing 45-minute HIIT workouts (unless you love that).
Instead, lean into movement that feels fresh, freeing, and flexible.
Take morning walks. Go for bike rides. Do yoga on the patio or at the park. Try dance workouts with windows open and music loud.
Home workouts work great when you need structure—I’m currently loving Chloe Ting’s Summer Shred challenge (again!).
But variety is the secret to consistency. Swap your routine every week or two to keep it fun.
Swim. Stretch. Sweat in the sun. Try rollerblading, tennis, or hiking with friends.
Let exercise be less about changing your body and more about celebrating it.
4. Romanticize Your Mornings (Even Just a Little)
You don’t have to wake up early to have a magical morning.
You just need a few quiet rituals that make you feel like you matter first thing.
Open a window. Light a candle or spray a refreshing mist. Sit down with your favorite drink in silence.
Do five minutes of journaling or breathwork. Stretch while the world’s still quiet.
Play soft music. Pull an affirmation card. Step outside barefoot and feel the grass.
Even two intentional minutes can shift your whole mood.
This isn’t about productivity. It’s about presence.
And when you start the day in your own energy, everything else flows better.
5. Eat Food That Feels Like Fuel and Pleasure
Becoming that girl isn’t about dieting—it’s about fueling your glow with color, freshness, and ease.
Summer is the season of abundant fruit, crisp veggies, and hydrating meals. Lean into it.
Think smoothie bowls, Greek yogurt with berries, cucumber and mint salads, grilled veggies, iced matcha, juicy peaches, protein-packed wraps.
Don’t over-restrict or overthink. Just aim for balance: fiber, protein, healthy fats, and color on every plate.
Eat outside when you can. Take your time chewing. Make the plate look pretty. Enjoy your food like it’s an experience—not just fuel.
And yes, enjoy the treats too. Gelato by the pool? That’s very that girl.
6. Make Your Weekends Sacred with Self-Care
Weekends aren’t just for errands. They’re your chance to recharge deeply—and protect your peace.
Create a weekend ritual that nourishes your nervous system. Sleep in. Take a long shower. Put your phone away for an hour or two.
Try DIY skincare, a mani-pedi, or a solo walk with your favorite playlist. Journal in the sunshine or take yourself on a solo coffee date.
Read. Stretch. Do nothing. Do something creative. Just do it for you.
The more you protect that downtime, the more balanced and grounded you’ll feel through the week.
You deserve a life that feels cared for. Let your weekends reflect that.
7. Curate a Wardrobe That Matches Your Mood
Summer fashion doesn’t have to be expensive or trendy to feel powerful.
It just has to match your energy.
Think linen sets, flowy dresses, comfy tanks, breathable fabrics, and easy pieces you can throw on and still feel cute.
Get yourself a go-to “walk around the market” outfit. A go-to “reading in a café” look. An outfit that makes you feel like sunshine.
Don’t forget accessories: oversized sunglasses, scrunchies, straw hats, statement earrings. A pretty reusable water bottle or tote bag? Yes.
Dressing for yourself—not for the internet—is the real “that girl” energy.
8. Upgrade Your Environment (Without a Full Redecorate)
Your space affects your mood more than you think.
This summer, give your room or home a mini glow-up. Nothing fancy—just a few tweaks that make it feel more like a sanctuary.
Declutter surfaces. Add a candle or essential oil diffuser. Get fresh flowers at the market. Rearrange furniture to let light in.
Use a color you love in your sheets, wall art, or mugs. Organize your skincare or pantry like a mini spa.
When your space feels intentional, you show up differently.
This isn’t about aesthetic—it’s about alignment.
9. Say Yes to Rest, Play, and Pleasure (Every Single Week)
Being that girl isn’t about perfection—it’s about balance.
So while you’re building good habits, don’t forget to have fun. Laugh too hard. Do something pointless. Rest without guilt.
Lay in the sun. Dance at night. Eat the dessert. Read the silly book. Flirt. Nap. Say no. Say yes.
Pleasure is part of wellness. Joy is part of glow.
Give yourself permission to soften. You’re allowed to enjoy your life.
In fact, it’s part of the whole point.
10. Let Go of the Ideal, Embrace What’s Real
You’re not here to perform wellness—you’re here to live it.
Being that girl isn’t about rigid routines, trendy products, or never having a down day. It’s about being consistent with the small things that light you up.
Some days you’ll do it all. Others, you’ll skip the workout and eat chips for dinner. That’s okay.
What matters is that you keep coming back to yourself. With compassion. With curiosity. Without shame.
You already are that girl. You’re just learning to show up for her more often.
☀️ A Gentle Closing Note
Summer is your invitation to return to yourself—with softness, with light, with joy.
You don’t need to become someone else. You just need to remember who you are, and take tiny steps that make you feel alive.
Let this be the summer you choose ease over pressure. Care over comparison. Ritual over routine.
You’re allowed to glow in your own way.
Here’s to being that girl—not because the internet says so, but because you finally feel like you. 💛