That Girl's Guide to... Cultivating Your Routine

The key to being that girl is to feel like that girl. There are small things you can add in your routines that will improve your mood at least by 25%: 

• making your bed

• a simple, intimate skin care routine

• picking clothes up from your floor

• picking out an outfit you love to wear for the day

• drinking water

• exercise

    Let's start with the bedroom. If anyone can understand the depression room, it's me, but something I have noticed this past August is that doing simple tasks can actually improve my mood and productivity levels. After waking up, I always try to make my bed. This doesn't take long (2-3 minutes at the max) and it sends my brain the signal that its time to get ready. Making your bed has been statistically proven to help people have more productive days. It's so trivial yet so important at the same times, a lot of people disregard the benefits of a healthy place, healthy space. This just means that when your environment is clean and organized, you are more likely to match that energy. As opposed to feeling mentally cluttered or burnt out while having a messy bedroom or environment. I am not writing this with the intentions to erase or minimize the effects of depression, my depression is not severe, luckily, but depressive episodes are no joke. My intentions are to help your process of rising up. If you're reading this and needing help with mental health, you will find the new crisis hotline number for depression and suicidal situations and moods.

    It goes the same for laundry. Almost nothing is worse than having heaps of laundry that you have to fold or hangup. Something that can be satisfying, however, is picking up your laundry and having it all together in your hamper or laundry bin. I know, this one is kind of strange, but hear me out. Just feel the difference in your energy and mood levels after a week of practicing these small habits. You will feel so put together, and we haven't even covered your outside appearance yet!

    Moving onto the routine. Although, routines can get to feel redundant or boring, they don't have to! The best part of the routine is what you get out of it; if you don't like something, change it. Skin care is really important and specific to the individual. Stop caring so much about getting exactly the same brand as your fav influencer, or every celebrity's new skin line. Chances are, your skin is different than theirs and may not love their ingredients. Do what fits and works best for you. Cultivate your morning or night routine, do something you love and make time for it. If you aren't catching on, the gag is, you have to love what you're doing to get the most out of it. And drink as much water as you can. Water in-take is essential to all-around good health and it should be somewhere- if not all throughout your daily routine. Of course, getting ready for school or work is such a drag but, getting the chance to start new and look how you want is something to look forward to (depending on the dress code). Make the most out of your responsibilities and engagements. Feel the gratitude for what you take advantage of. 

     Being that girl takes more than the polished neutral look- I know, it's shocking. That girl is kind to others and herself. She speaks with grace whether its with strong will or, soft intent. There is no right or wrong personality that fits into the category of being that girl. It's more inclusive than that. Misconceptions are found everywhere, but the most common misconceptions about the "That Girl aesthetic" are about the fashion, hair, and makeup. Scrolling through Pinterest or Twitter, you see the type A, skinny, all neutral toned outfit, tote bag wearing, hair claw girl. Although, that fits into the "Clean Girl" fashion aesthetic, it's not the exclusive dress code to become that girl. It also does not mean that if you wear opposing pieces than the "clean girl" fashion, that you cannot be that girl. That girl wears what she wants, loves, and feels confident in. This can easily be your favorite sweats and t-shirt or your Sunday's best! 

    Your intentions are key. So much could go either horrible or, amazing depending on how you take action into something, what you put in of yourself, and how/what you intend to receive from what you're doing. If you go into something with a pessimistic attitude, you will not have a good time. Exercise can feel tedious, but the key is your why and your intention. Why are you exercising? Make sure it is of pure and healthy intentions. Do you hate working out or exercising? Try a mental check-in and perspective shift. If you have the motivated and excited mindset, getting that exercise will come more naturally for you. Exercising can be as simple as walking or getting steps in. It can be walking up and down the stairs, going to the gym, or even stretching. Whatever you do, do it with passion and take what you're good at, and go from there; getting exercise can be fun. Don't over push yourself trying to meet workout or diet goals, pace yourself as you need it. Over-doing it with workouts won't bring your results faster, it will just strain your body and energy harder. Sticking to your routine is the key to quick results.