Mornings suck. Your eyes open and it feels like you’re already behind. Phone in hand before your feet even hit the floor, every notification buzzing at you before your first sip of coffee. Skipping breakfast to save time and feeling low-energy before your day even starts. Your brain is already foggy before your head quits hitting the pillow.
Some mornings are glorious. You’re calm, collected, and ready to tackle everything on your plate. Millions of women swear by “That Girl” morning routine to unlock smooth mornings.
Despite what the name implies, “that girl” isn’t about appearing airbrushed and flawless. It’s about spending 1 mindful hour right after waking up to fill your body, mind, and space with the energy you need to own your day.
Women everywhere say there’s something different when you start each morning with intention: you’ll have more energy and mental clarity than coffee could give you. Mornings aren’t hectic — you’re in control. And when you own your mornings, you own the rest of your day.
Learn how to craft your own 1-hour That Girl routine to feel grounded and intentional every morning.
The Benefits of a 1-Hour Morning Routine
Why One Hour?!
Let’s address the elephant in the room. Why one hour? Well, quite frankly, no one wants a morning routine that takes an hour. But it has to be long enough to count, too.
The most common reason morning routines fail is because people take too long doing too many things… or wake up too darn early trying to fit it all in.
One hour is the sweet spot between getting things done and taking care of yourself.
Another reason? Psychology. Studies show that starting your morning with a set routine helps you concentrate, de-stress, and sets you up with a positive emotional vibe that lasts all day long.
When you plan your morning instead of letting your morning happen to you, you’ll reduce stress and feel more empowered to conquer your goals, and practices like mindfulness meditation are also linked with stress relief and improved well-being.
READ >>> 15 Morning Routine Ideas for Women
1 hour That Girl Morning Routine
1. Minutes 1–10: Rehydrate & Center Yourself
The first 10 minutes of your day set the precedent for the next 16 hours. Instead of grabbing your phone, sit up in bed and take a few deep breaths. Stretch your limbs. Allow your body to wake up naturally.
Afterwards, drink up. Drinking water is your first order of business when you wake up. Your body loses water while you sleep, which makes you tired and groggy. By drinking a glass of water first thing, you’re hydrating your body to rev up your metabolism and energy levels.
READ >>> Building a Productive Morning Routine
2. Minutes 10–20: Loosen Up with Movement
Grabbing that glass of water probably had you up on your feet. Do a few more stretches. Yoga poses are great, too. Go for a quick walk if you have the space. Keep your body loose to avoid that sleepy stiffness.
You don’t need to go hardcore, this isn’t the time to crush a workout. Just get your body moving. Increasing your blood flow sends more oxygen to your brain and perks you up. Even 10 minutes of physical activity can increase endorphins, which are your brain’s happy hormones.
Trust me, you’ll feel stable energy for hours, instead of bouncing off the walls then crashing.
3. Minutes 20–30: Get Dressed & Healthy Skin Care
Okay, self-care time. Girl’s gotta glow-girl — even in the morning.
Keeping it simple with skincare? No problem. Wash your face. Moisturize. Apply sunscreen. Feel free to get dressed in between those steps, too. Going into the office? Suit up. Work from home? Loungewear is always acceptable. Just dress how you need to in order for your brain to recognize it’s go time, and remember that sunscreen is part of a basic sun safety strategy.
READ >>> 5 Social Emotional Health Activities
4. Minutes 30–40: Fuel Up Your Brain
Time to fill up that brain-tank.
Read an uplifting book or news article. Journal. Write down what you’re grateful for. Stay away from negative news sources and social media for now. You can scroll later.
Journaling is a great way to start your day because it allows you to map out your thoughts. Write down your goals for the day or even a quick to-do list. It helps you feel more productive and prevents that overwhelmed feeling.
If journaling isn’t your style, try meditating or doing some deep breathing exercises.
5. Minutes 40–55: Eat Breakfast & Refill
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but for good reason. After sleeping all night, your body is hungry! Eat breakfast rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats to curb hunger and stabilize your energy levels until lunch, which aligns with what’s discussed in Harvard Health.
This is also a great time to drink some more water. Water, tea, coffee. Whatever you’d like. Just take the time to eat. Don’t rush through breakfast.
6. Minutes 55–60: Set Yourself Up to Get Going
Use the last couple of minutes to transition from “you” time to your daily tasks. Check your calendar. Pack your bag. Take three deep breaths before you walk out the door or head to your workspace.
Whatever you have to do to avoid rushing at the last minute, take care of it now.
How to Stick To Your Morning Routine
Your perfect morning routine won’t do you any good if you can’t stick to it. Try these tips:
Go to sleep early enough that waking up doesn’t feel like a punishment.
Prepare the night before. Lay out your outfit. Prep breakfast. Fill up your water bottle.
Don’t sweat it if you miss a day or can’t complete a step. Adapt and move forward.
Take note of your morning routines and discover what works best for you.
Final Thoughts
“The That Girl Routine” isn’t about stealing one hour after you wake up to squeeze as many things into your day. It’s about waking up and stealing YOUR day right back.
Take your mornings back and you’ll stop feeling rushed all the time. Prepare to have more focus, less stress, and more energy to do the things you actually want to do. Work? Relationships? Fitness? They can all improve when you own your mornings.
You don’t have to change your entire lifestyle to feel more put together. Something as simple as spending one hour on yourself every morning can make all the difference. After practicing this routine for a few weeks, you won’t feel like you’re checking boxes. You’ll wonder how you ever functioned without “that girl” morning routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a full hour for this to work?
One hour is the sweet spot between getting things done and taking care of yourself, and you don’t need to worry too much about the minutes.
What if I miss a day or can’t complete every step?
Don’t sweat it if you miss a day or can’t complete a step. Adapt and move forward.
How do I stop grabbing my phone first thing in the morning?
Instead of grabbing your phone, sit up in bed and take a few deep breaths. Stretch your limbs. Allow your body to wake up naturally.
What should I eat for breakfast during this routine?
Eat breakfast rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats to curb hunger and stabilize your energy levels until lunch.
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