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Let’s be real: we’ve all scrolled past videos of that girl, the one who seems to have everything together. She wakes up early, drinks lemon water, journals by candlelight, eats a perfectly plated smoothie bowl, and somehow fits in a 45-minute workout before most people even hit snooze.
She seems calm, radiant, productive, and glowing from the inside out. And somewhere in the back of your mind, you probably thought, I wish I could be like that.
But then you saw the $90 leggings. The $60 planner. The $45 adaptogen powders. The aesthetically perfect skincare shelf with products that cost more than your weekly grocery bill.
And suddenly, becoming that girl felt expensive. Here’s the truth: it’s not.
That girl isn’t about how much you spend. It’s about how much intentionality you bring to your day.
It’s about showing up for yourself, building habits that feel good, and creating an environment,internally and externally, that supports the woman you want to become.
You don’t need a fancy blender, a gym membership, or a wellness haul to become that girl.
You just need to decide that you’re worthy of caring for, right now, with what you already have.
So if you’re ready to glow up mentally, physically, emotionally, and energetically, without draining your bank account, this guide is for you. Let’s get into the budget-friendly ways to start living your soft, elevated, that girl life today.
12 Ways to Become That Girl on a Budget
1. Romanticize Your Morning Routine
Forget waking up at 5 a.m. or copying someone else’s exact schedule. Becoming that girl starts with reclaiming your mornings.
Open your curtains to let in natural light. Sit quietly for a moment before grabbing your phone. Stretch your arms overhead. Drink a big glass of water (bonus points for adding lemon or cucumber). Brew your coffee or tea and actually take time to enjoy it. Write a few intentions for the day.
You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect routine. You just need one that brings you peace.
Related: The Miracle Morning Routine
2. Create Grounding Daily Rituals
Having a structure to your day, even if it’s loose and flexible, helps you feel grounded, calm, and more in control.
Rituals can be simple:
- Lighting a candle while you journal
- Doing a 3-minute meditation before you start work
- Going for a short walk after lunch
- Listening to a podcast while folding laundry
- Ending the day with a skincare routine and herbal tea
You don’t need to buy anything. What matters is that you’re present in the moment and using small actions to reconnect with yourself throughout the day.
3. Move Your Body with Intention
There’s a myth that to be that girl you need expensive Pilates classes, a gym subscription, or the trendiest workout set. Nope.
You can move your body for free and still feel just as strong and confident. Try:
- Daily walks with music or a podcast
- Free YouTube workouts (like Yoga with Adriene, MadFit, or Pilates by Move with Nicole)
- Stretching or dancing in your room
- Bodyweight exercises like squats, planks, or lunges
The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is consistency. Move in a way that makes your body feel supported and celebrated.
4. Hydrate Like It’s Self-Care
It might not be glamorous, but drinking enough water is one of the easiest ways to glow up. It improves your skin, digestion, mood, and energy. If you want to elevate the experience, use a cute glass or repurpose a mason jar. Add lemon, mint, or berries if you’re feeling fancy.
Pro tip: Keep a large water bottle nearby during the day so you’re always reminded to sip. This one habit can seriously change how you feel.
Related: 10 Ways To Drink More Water
5. Curate a Calm, Clean Space
You don’t need an aesthetic apartment to have that girl energy. You just need a space that feels calm, clean, and yours.
Start small. Tidy up one surface—your nightstand, desk, or bathroom counter. Fold your blanket neatly. Light a candle if you have one. Put on ambient music or open a window. A peaceful environment supports a peaceful mind.
Even tiny upgrades, like washing your sheets or organizing a drawer, create a ripple effect in how you feel throughout your day.
6. Journal Like You’re Writing to Your Future Self
Don’t overthink it. Grab any notebook, scrap paper, or the Notes app on your phone. Just start writing.
You can try:
- Gratitude lists
- Daily intentions
- “Future me” letters
- Goals you’re working on
- How you’re feeling and why
Journaling isn’t about being deep or poetic. It’s about checking in with yourself, slowing down, and creating mental clarity. It helps you live with intention, which is exactly what that girl does.
7. Eat with Love and Simplicity
You don’t need superfood powders or fancy grocery hauls to eat well. Affordable, nourishing staples like oatmeal, bananas, eggs, rice, beans, lentils, roasted veggies, and frozen fruit are all you need to feel amazing from the inside out.
Make your meals beautiful even if they’re basic. Plate your food nicely. Sit down to eat. Add herbs and seasonings you already have. Light a candle. Play music while you cook.
Eating well is an act of self-respect, not a luxury item.
8. Read, Watch, or Listen to Something Uplifting Every Day
Feed your brain with things that make you feel inspired, motivated, or informed.
- Library books
- Audiobooks (many free on apps like Libby)
- Podcasts (search “self-growth,” “confidence,” or “mindset”)
- TED Talks or interviews with women who inspire you
Being that girl means constantly evolving, and educating yourself doesn’t have to cost anything.
9. Simplify Your Skincare Routine
Three steps:
- Cleanse
- Moisturize
- SPF
That’s it. You don’t need expensive serums or a 12-step regimen. Affordable brands like CeraVe, The Ordinary, or Simple Skincare work beautifully. Stay consistent. Hydrate. Sleep. Glow-up happens over time, not overnight.
10. Put Effort Into Your Appearance
Wearing something that fits well, doing your hair, applying a little lip gloss—these things cost nothing but make a huge difference in how you feel.
It’s not about dressing up for others. It’s about honoring yourself. Looking put-together doesn’t require new clothes or name brands. It requires care. You’re worth the effort.
Related: How to Always Look Classy and Polished
11. Set Weekly Goals and Celebrate Small Wins
One major that girl trait? She’s intentional with her time.
- Set 2–3 goals every Sunday night (drink more water, finish a book, go on 3 walks)
- Break them into small steps
- Track your progress and reflect
Use a notebook, sticky notes, or your phone. The satisfaction of seeing progress (even tiny steps) builds momentum and confidence.
12. Protect Your Peace Like a Queen
Want to really be that girl? Protect your energy. Unfollow accounts that make you feel “not enough.” Set boundaries around your time. Don’t feel guilty for needing space, quiet, or slow mornings. Rest. Say no when you mean it.
That girl is soft, but she’s also strong, and she knows peace is priceless.
Conclusion
Being that girl isn’t about perfection or performance, it’s about presence. It’s about deciding you’re worthy of care, consistency, and softness, even when life is messy or money is tight. It’s about saying: I don’t need to wait until I have more time, more money, or more external validation to start showing up as her—the best version of me.
You don’t need the leggings.
You don’t need the supplements.
You don’t need the $60 candles.
You just need to start.
With water. With journaling. With small rituals. With kind self-talk.
And with the belief that the glow-up is already happening every time you choose yourself.
That girl is already in you. You’re just learning how to see her.
Related posts you might enjoy:
How to Age Backwards and Look Younger in Your 30s
The Ultimate Beauty Maintenance Routine
The Ultimate Hot Girl Routine
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