Skip the 4am Journaling: A Chill Girl’s Guide to Wellness
We all know social media loves to glamorize beauty and wellness but nowhere is that more obvious than the TikTok wellness trend. You scroll through your feed and there she is: waking up at 4:00 a.m., doing Pilates, journaling, sipping chlorophyll water… all before starting her day.
Meanwhile, you might need three alarms and still snooze two of them. And guess what? That’s okay.
Social media may try to convince you that wellness has to be some intense lifestyle transition, but here’s the truth: you can absolutely prioritize your mental health without changing who you are. The Edge has put together a guide for real girls with real lives with small, impactful habits to help you feel better mentally, without feeling like you’re starring in a wellness ad.
Wellness Without the Pressure
Wellness doesn’t need to look like homemade smoothies, sunrise Pilates, or an eight-step morning routine. Sometimes, taking care of yourself just means doing something small that supports your mental health, no aesthetic required.
It’s the little things: closing all the tabs on your laptop, finally texting your therapist back, or saying “no” without feeling guilty when someone asks you to do something you’re just not up for.
Micro-Mental Health
If you have never heard of the concept of micro-habits, let us introduce you to something that will change your life more than the homemade green juice. These are tiny, easy habits that can lead to big shifts in how you feel when you practice them regularly. They’re simple, they don’t take much effort, and they slide right into your day-to-day life without stress.
Here are a few micro-habits to try out:
Take three deep breaths before getting out of bed
Use “Do Not Disturb” on your phone (and don’t feel bad about it)
Drink a glass of water before starting your day
Put on a cute outfit when you’re feeling off
Food, Sleep and Movement
Taking care of yourself doesn't have to look like a perfect influencer routine. You can eat well, get rest, and move your body in ways that work for you.
You don’t need to eat perfectly or work out seven days a week to call it self-care. A ten-minute walk is still movement. Frozen dinners? Still fuel. And good sleep hygiene doesn’t mean falling asleep at 9 p.m. Sometimes, it just means putting your phone down 30 minutes earlier than usual. That counts.
Make Boundaries (& Keep Them!)
If your life revolves around making everyone else happy, it might be time to check in with your boundaries. And no, they’re not just for strangers. Boundaries matter in friendships, relationships, and school life, too.
Mental wellness sometimes means canceling plans, muting someone on Instagram, or spending a night away from your partner. You’re allowed to prioritize yourself with no excuse necessary.
Low-Key Processing
Journaling isn’t for everyone and that’s completely okay. Maybe you’re not into long, emotional deep-dives. That doesn’t mean you can’t check in with your feelings in other ways.
Try writing a one-sentence recap in your Notes app at the end of the day (start with “Today was _____.”), or download a quick mood tracking app. Journaling doesn’t have to be pages long—it’s just about staying connected to yourself in a way that feels good.
No Makeover Required
You don’t have to flip your life upside down to feel better. Mental wellness isn’t an aesthetic—it’s whatever keeps you grounded and true to yourself.
Be kind to yourself in small, manageable ways, and you’ll start to feel the difference. This more relaxed, realistic version of self-care is just as valid (and just as powerful) as the 4 a.m. crystal-charging, green-juice-drinking version.
Ditching the 4 a.m. wake-up call and redefining wellness on your terms? Same. Tag us @TheEdgeMag.