Ever have one of those days?
When I was postpartum with my first child I embraced the days of living in loungewear and pajamas. Not only did I not feel like I had time to get ready, but it sort of felt pointless. I was going to be home all day with a baby spitting up on and laying on me. After a few short weeks I found that getting ready for the day maybe was not so pointless. It was amazing how much better I felt when I got ready and felt put together. I have since perfected my daily get ready routine but it still amazes me how good I feel each day with just this subtle action. As a bonus, my routine is simple and straightforward. If you are struggling with feeling your best each day then here I will share with you my tips on how to feel put together every day.
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Getting Ready for the Day
I was always someone who got up and got ready growing up. As a kid, teen, and then young adult I either went to school or work every day. I always had places to go and people to see. On the few days I didn’t I still found that I got ready almost out of habit. As an adult out on my own I continued this habit. On days at home I still got fully ready. My mom and granny always did this so in part I was taught this, but I also liked being ready for anything. A knock at the door, a last minute run to the store, or a friend that wants to get together on the fly are all excellent reasons to be ready to walk out the door. Even an emergency feels somehow slightly less daunting when you feel somewhat put together for the day.
When I was postpartum; however, this changed. When I got out of the habit of getting ready each day I found that I felt terrible about myself every day. My postpartum body looked foreign to me and while I appreciated what it had done, I was not thrilled with the current physique. I started to find that the way I was looking was tracking with the way I felt. I felt yucky, sloppy, gross, and frumpy. Every single day was beginning to feel the same. I found that I did not feel comfortable in my own skin so I decided something had to change.
The Importance of Feeling Good
My physique would take time to work on, but one thing I could start right away was getting dressed and ready every day. I didn’t do anything too elaborate but boy did I feel a million times better when I got ready for the day. This was the moment that I realized just how important it was to feel put together every day. I also recognized that I did not have to do anything too over the top or spend hours getting ready to feel good.
Honestly, the simpler of a routine the better I felt. Not only did I feel good because I looked better, it was also encouraging me to take better care of myself. I found that I was becoming more productive, and life just felt smoother, simpler, slower, and more enjoyable. My routine was quick, simple, and precise, but still felt curated for me and therefore luxurious. The small act of getting ready for the day and feeling put together had led me to finally feeling good and, while maybe obvious, this was an epiphany moment for me. Something as small as a little mascara or getting dressed in something other than slippers and lounge wear made me feel like a brand new person!
Creating a Simple and Feel Good Routine
The more I have refined and perfected my routine of getting ready for the day the more I have found that I prefer a simple and straightforward routine. I like quality over quantity when it comes to products. It is so enjoyable to have an efficient and streamlined routine of products that work well for me without too much fuss. Life feels lighter when things are efficient but still high end. I will note, when it comes to a feel good routine, it does take more more than just products to feel put together for the day. Here I will breakdown what I do each and every day to feel my best each day and in the long run.
Schedule
It is important to operate on a schedule. I have found over the years that I do best on schedules. Whether that is a cleaning schedule, a weekly task list, or any other number of ways to operate using checklists and itineraries it’s how I thrive. There are a lot of studies that show that people who operate on a daily schedule as far as wake up and bed times are healthier and happier individuals.
I am not perfect at this. I definitely do not get up on the dot at 6:30 AM every morning and asleep but 9:30 PM every night. Unfortunately, I am not a morning person and am in every way a night owl. This does not mean that I don’t strive to have a similar schedule every day. I aim to get up and be in bed within a similar time frame give or take within the hour. One night I may be in bed by 10:30 the next 11 but it’s close enough that 30 or 45 minutes of difference do not seem to affect me.
Schedule is first on the list for a feel good routine because it starts your day off right and ends your day on a good note. The night before sets up the next day so your night routine is just as, if not more important than your day routine. I also find it easier to wake up in the morning if I am more scheduled and well rested. I don’t feel rushed or off at the start of my day by hitting the snooze alarm one too many times. It becomes easier to stay consistent with the next steps in your routine for the day too – so let’s get into those next steps shall we?
Exercise
I used to think of exercise as one of those things that sometimes just didn’t fit into my routine. This past year; however, exercise became a non-negotiable for me. Exercise can come in all forms. We tend to think of exercise as going to the gym, intense cardio, or some other extreme sport. As a busy stay at home mom exercise for me looks a lot different.
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays I do at home weight lifting. I follow several different YouTube videos and lift 5 to 15 pound dumbbells. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays I focus on abs. After having two children and developing diastasis recti I found several YouTube videos that focus on diastasis recti healing. After recovering, I continued the videos because they have been so incredibly helpful for my core and pelvic floor strength – they are better than most “ab” or “core” workouts out there that I have found!
Every day of the week, Sunday – Saturday I walk on a walking pad (or outside) at least 5,000 steps. I recently added a weighted vest to my walks and have really enjoyed that. I also utilize a lot of incidental movement, for example keeping up with my toddler, going on walks with her, and cleaning the house.
Exercise is just as, if not more important, for your mental health than just the physical health. Strength is better than physique (although physique is a great bonus!). I want a healthy, strong, long lasting body. Especially as a mid-thirties petite woman I want to ensure that I am taking care of my bones, hormones, and all the other things that slowly break down as we age.
Skincare
Ah skincare. I could talk about this topic for days! In fact, I plan to do a whole blog post dedicated to this topic. For the purposes of this blog post, I want to discuss the importance and the shortcomings of skincare and give a general idea of my personal routine.
Aging is a blessing. My goal has always been to do it as naturally and gracefully as possible while still having youthful skin for as long as I can. I am personally not a fan of most cosmetic procedures, fillers, or Botox, but have no issue for those that want to do them because I think they have their place. With that being said, our skin is more than just our appearance, it can also affect our health mentally and physically.
As someone who suffers from eczema I have learned the importance of our skin barrier. Infections, itchy skin, and a higher risk of other skin issues tailing behind have all made me very aware of the importance of skin health. Skin cancer is another serious condition we should be aware and concerned about. Mentally feeling good in our own skin is also incredibly important whether it’s the health or youthfulness of our skin it all has an affect on our mental health.
The right skincare products can be a phenomenal piece of our skincare arsenal, but while products can go a long way, they can’t do it all. We have to take care of ourselves inside AND out for our best skin ever. With that said here is my simple skincare routine for morning and night. Keep in mind you really just need a good cleanser and SPF if you want to keep it really simple.
Here is the basic breakdown of my skincare routine.
Makeup
When I met my husband about five years ago he said the words every girl longs to hear. He thought I was beautiful with makeup but thought I was even more beautiful without it. For the first time in my life, I stopped hiding behind my mask of makeup and embraced my natural skin. I had gone through a time of cystic acne in my early thirties and it had made me feel like I NEEDED makeup.
Don’t get me wrong I love makeup and for those who still do full glam I am all for it, but I love my current routine. I have embraced what I found the French tend to be known for when it comes to beauty. The French aim for simple, quality, and an embrace of the natural. By utilizing a handful of quality products that enhance their natural skin and hair they still look chic and styled and utilize tools to accomplish that. When it comes to makeup it should be used to cover up a few imperfections here and there, think blotchy red skin or acne, but to enhance and draw attention to other features like the eyes or the lips.
Personally, I use a concealer, a powder to set the concealer, on occasion eye shadow, a natural blush, and mascara. That’s pretty much it. I will often focus on either the eyes or lips but never both. I use my finger to apply everything except the setting powder. It takes me about five minutes to do my makeup. It looks fresh, awake, and natural in a way that looks like me but just a little better.
Hair
I am a curly girl. I have had a love hate relationship with my curly hair my whole life it feels like. This past year I decided to embrace my curls once again and for the first time ever I prefer them to straightening my hair. I am still working on my exact routine and finding the perfect products, but as I attempt to embrace my more natural texture and take inspiration from the French I am also trying to be okay with more frizz.
If I am going out for the day I will do some touch ups, but if I am home for the day I try and do very little. My main focus on days that I am home is making sure I keep my hair looking good enough so that for the days I do go out the touchups don’t end up being a full reset day for my hair – curly hair is not for the faint of heart!
Clothing
Getting dressed for the day can really make or break the whole day. If we have overwhelm or frustration within our closet it starts our day with the first big decision being stressful and possibly upsetting. My dream is to curate a capsule wardrobe like so many people have been doing lately, but I have been in a phase of life that has made that tricky. The last several years of my life have been going through pregnancy, postpartum, back to pre-pregnancy body and right back to pregnant. We had a very stressful second pregnancy and postpartum experience and getting back to my pre-pregnancy body was a lot of work. I haven’t updated my clothing much in the last five years so most of my clothes feel like they are supposed to be in someone else’s closet. They are from a completely different era of my life.
In recent years it felt silly to buy clothing for all the in-between phases of my ever changing body so I have been left with a very confusing closet. I do have one fantastic pair of jeans, a couple of other pairs of pants and leggings, and several interchangeable tops. While it isn’t the capsule wardrobe of my dreams, it is a very simple and small group of clothing to pick from and has made getting ready pretty easy. I am working on moving things out of my closet and cleaning it up a bit to prepare for life after pregnancy as we hope to have one more kiddo and then move to the next phase of life. Once my body is a bit more consistent I am excited to start bringing in some staple pieces to build my future dream capsule wardrobe one day.
Breakfast
This past year, like many people, I have been working to increase my protein. I have struggled with this for years, especially because I don’t like eggs. The end of 2025 finally led me to figuring out how to increase my protein, along with fiber, and proper amounts of healthy fats and carbs. As a female, carbs are like gasoline for a car, we need them. Sure, there are better for you carbs than others but if you do it all right you can still enjoy some fun foods while hitting your health, nutrition, and physique goals.
As I have been going through a hormonal healing journey I also began focusing on healthy fats which are hugely important for women and their hormone health. Fiber became a big focus for me as digestive health has also been a focus throughout the hormonal changes. When it comes to protein, I do believe people tend to become obsessive or overdo, but the more I research it the more I understand why.
Protein not only is supposed to help keep you fuller for longer and feel more satiated but it is also supposed to help you maintain your weight. I have been amazed at how much more satiated I feel as I have focused on these main areas of my nutrition, but while I think protein is helpful I believe it is the mix of protein AND fiber, along with the healthy fats and carbs that keep me feeling satiated and fuller for longer. A balanced breakfast is a great way to start your day and feel more put together. Check out my most recent obsession, chia pudding. I pair it with a nut butter or yogurt for a boost of protein along with that delicious fiber.
There You Have It
There’s no rocket science here, nothing out of the box, but it is a routine that checks all the boxes. This routine provides what so many people seem to be craving today by being simple, straightforward, clean, and quick. With natural products, wholesome and healthy foods, and a solid and consistent routine I have never felt better. It seems that people all over the internet are searching for the answers to feeling better, to living more clean and natural lives, that also create productive and beautifully simple lives and this routine has all you need to be the start to that.
Is everyday perfect? Far from it. Some days you just have to fake it until you make it. Smile even when you don’t feel like it and before you know it likely by the end of the day you will feel far better than you did at the start. Sometimes it’s all about mindset, sometimes our hormones sabotage the day, or you feel like everything you touch that day falls apart. We all have bad days.
Overall, regardless of a good routine, you will still have tough days, but you can make it through. Every day is a fresh start. But, on a daily basis, it’s funny that some of the smallest things can really make all the difference in feeling put together. Feeling like you look tired? Add a little mascara, Washed out? Add a clothing item that brightens you up. Sometimes just having a matching pair of socks is all you need to feel put together. Whatever works for you I hope this gives you some inspiration on the areas I focus on to feel my best and how I feel put together every day.
Curious About Some of the Products I Use In My Routine?
I wanted to share a few products that I am currently using and loving when it comes to my skincare and makeup.
This section contains affiliate links.
Skincare
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Neutrogena Body Oil (Fragrance Free) – I use this for facial double cleansing before I use the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser at night
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Cream
Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Face Cream
La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Mineral Sunscreen
Makeup
RMS Beauty Hydra Setting Powder
RMS ReDimension Hydra Dew Luminizer
L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Mascara
Looking for More Inspiration?
If you are wanting to do more than simplify your getting ready routine to feel a little more put together every day, you can also simplify life by a focus on living moderately. Here I give tips on balancing homemaking and parenting and break down how to make homemaking a little easier. If you are like many out there right now craving a simpler life then check out this post on creating a traditional style home life.
