How to "Glow Up" - 6 Ways to Become the Best Version of Yourself

We all aspire to become the best versions of ourselves, to glow up and radiate confidence, happiness, and success. And in a world that constantly evolves, personal growth and self-improvement have become integral aspects in designing and leading a fulfilling, joyful life. Whether you're seeking to enhance your physical appearance, boost your self-esteem, or unleash your full potential, embarking on a journey of self-transformation is a powerful and empowering choice.

From nurturing your inner self to refining your external image, there are many ways you can embark on a path of self-discovery, self-care, and self-empowerment.

Read on to explore six effective ways to achieve a transformative glow-up and become the best version of yourself. Let's dive in and discover the keys to your ultimate glow-up!

What is a "Glow Up"?

A "glow up" refers to a process of personal transformation and self-improvement aimed at becoming the best version of oneself. It is a term used by the mainstream media to transform oneself for the better, whether it’s an emotional, mental, or physical metamorphosis.

When you first hear the term, you may picture major physical transformations. While that can be a part of a glow up, there are also other aspects of your life that can glow up. Despite the emphasis of the term being mostly on a physical transformation, glowing up all starts with you making the decision and commitment to take care of yourself and be the person you want to see thriving. It involves making positive changes in various aspects of life, such as physical appearance, mental well-being, emotional growth, and personal development. The term "glow up" often implies a significant positive change over time, leading to increased confidence, self-esteem, and a more fulfilled and radiant existence. It can involve setting and achieving goals, adopting healthy habits, nurturing positive relationships, enhancing self-care practices, and embracing personal growth opportunities.

Ultimately, a glow up represents a journey of self-discovery, self-empowerment, and embracing one's true potential.

1. Develop a morning routine.

How we start our mornings often sets the tone for the rest of the day. A productive and peaceful morning routine helps us begin the day on a positive note, fostering a sense of clarity, focus, and intention. It allows us to proactively shape our mindset and energy, which can significantly impact our productivity and overall outlook.

A well-designed morning routine also helps with optimize energy and productivity. By incorporating activities such as planning, goal-setting, or tackling important tasks, we can make progress towards our objectives early in the day when our minds are fresh and distractions are minimal. Your morning could even include the simplest of activities; like making your bed when you wake up, drinking two glasses of water to start your day, or reciting 3 positive affirmations to yourself in the mirror. This can lead to a sense of accomplishment and momentum that carries through the rest of the day.

2. Figure out a Way to Track your Habits.

Tracking your habits can be a powerful tool in your journey to becoming the best version of yourself. Habit tracking and consciously reflecting brings awareness to your daily behaviors and patterns. By monitoring your habits, you gain insights into your strengths, weaknesses, and areas that require improvement. This self-awareness allows you to identify unhealthy or unproductive habits that may be hindering your progress and take proactive steps to replace them with positive alternatives.

There are multiple ways you can go about tracking your habits. Using a Habit Tracker template, like the one that is available on Journey can make things a lot more efficient and convenient. With this template, you can track things like the number of hours you sleep, time you spent exercising, meditating, and engaging in other healthy habits. Check off boxes on the days that you manage to stick to healthy habits and come back to your journal for a review anytime. Habit tracking also helps you align your habits with your goals. When you have a clear understanding of the habits that contribute to your desired outcomes, you can intentionally focus on cultivating and reinforcing those behaviors. Tracking allows you to stay accountable and ensure that your habits are aligned with your aspirations, bringing you closer to achieving the best version of yourself.

With habit tracking, you hold yourself accountable. Monitoring your progress this way helps you create a system of checks and balances that promotes adherence to your desired behaviors. Over time, consistent practice and discipline lead to positive habit formation, empowering you to make significant strides towards personal growth and self-improvement.

3. Allow yourself Flexibility.

Flexibility allows for sustainable progress in your glow-up journey. It recognizes that transformation is a gradual process and that everyone's path is unique. By embracing flexibility, you can establish realistic expectations and make sustainable changes that are compatible with your lifestyle and circumstances. It prevents the pressure of rigid rules and timelines, fostering a healthier and more balanced approach to self-improvement.

Life is dynamic, and our needs and priorities can change over time. Allowing flexibility enables you to adapt and adjust your goals and strategies as needed. It empowers you to respond to new challenges, circumstances, or personal developments without feeling restricted by a rigid plan. Flexibility ensures that you can pivot and make necessary changes to continue progressing toward your best self.

Embracing flexibility also helps counteract the negative effects of perfectionism and burnout. When you're overly rigid and unforgiving with yourself, striving for unattainable ideals, it can lead to excessive stress and a sense of failure if you deviate from your expectations. Flexibility promotes self-compassion, self-acceptance, and a more forgiving mindset, allowing you to navigate setbacks and challenges with resilience and grace.

So feel free to adjust your routine on some days to fit your own personal life. If you’ve had an unusually tough day and the daily challenge feels like too much, honor that. Honor your inner knowing and do what feels best for you!

4. Get moving!

Getting your body moving and incorporating exercise into your routine is of paramount importance when you're trying to "glow up" physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Regular exercise improves your physical well-being in multiple ways. It enhances cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles and bones, improves flexibility and mobility, and boosts overall fitness. Engaging in physical activity helps maintain a healthy weight, reduces the risk of chronic diseases, and increases energy levels. A strong and healthy body forms the foundation for your glow-up journey, allowing you to feel confident, vibrant, and capable.

Exercise has a profound impact not only on your physical health, but also for your mental clarity and focus. Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, promoting the release of endorphins and other mood-enhancing chemicals. This leads to reduced stress, improved cognitive function, and enhanced mental well-being. Regular exercise can boost your ability to concentrate, improve memory, and enhance creativity, helping you stay focused and productive throughout the day.

Engaging in regular exercise can significantly boost self-confidence and improve body image. As you become stronger, more flexible, and achieve fitness goals, you develop a sense of accomplishment and empowerment. Exercise promotes a positive body image by helping you appreciate and respect your body for what it can do rather than solely focusing on appearance. This positive mindset translates into increased self-confidence and a healthier relationship with your physical self.

All these and more make moving your body in a way that feels good to you is one of the best things you can start to incorporate into your everyday life if you're looking for a glow up. Physical activity has many benefits for nearly every aspect of your health. That said, it’s important to find activities that feels pleasurable and enjoyable to your individual body. If you hate to run, don’t force yourself to run just because you see someone else promoting it. Find a form of movement that feels good for you and get going!

5. Limit Screen Time and Use Social Media Wisely.

Excessive screen time can hinder the development of authentic connections and meaningful relationships. It can replace real-life interactions with superficial online interactions. By reducing screen time and using social media wisely, you create space for genuine face-to-face connections, fostering deeper relationships and a sense of belonging. These authentic connections provide support, encouragement, and a sense of community in your glow-up journey.

Limiting screen time also allows for self-reflection and mindfulness. It provides an opportunity to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with yourself. Engaging in activities like journaling, meditation, or simply spending time in nature without distractions promotes self-awareness, inner calm, and personal growth. It helps you better understand your values, desires, and goals, supporting your journey towards becoming the best version of yourself.

The constant exposure to screens and social media can also disrupt your ability to focus and concentrate. It leads to frequent distractions and a decreased attention span. By limiting screen time and practicing mindful use of social media, you create an environment conducive to deep work, focused attention, and enhanced concentration. This supports your ability to engage in activities that contribute to your physical, mental, and emotional growth.

Whether it’s work-related or mindless social media scrolling, too much screen time is unhealthy and has a wide variety of negative effects. If you are looking to glow up, limiting your screentime is a great place to start to feel better inside and out.

6. Practice Gratitude.

During a time of transformation and improvement, practicing gratitude cultivates a positive mindset by shifting your focus towards the positive aspects of your life. It trains your mind to recognize and appreciate the blessings, achievements, and joys, no matter how small they may seem. A positive mindset creates a foundation of optimism and resilience, allowing you to approach challenges with a more constructive and empowered perspective.

Gratitude encourages self-reflection and personal growth. It prompts you to pause and reflect on the experiences, lessons, and growth opportunities that life presents. Through gratitude, you gain a deeper understanding of yourself, your values, and what truly matters to you. This self-awareness fosters personal growth, self-acceptance, and a greater alignment with your authentic self.

Gratitude is also closely linked to mindfulness and present moment awareness. It anchors you and ground you in the present moment, allowing you to fully appreciate and savor the experiences, relationships, and beauty around you. By cultivating gratitude, you develop a deeper sense of mindfulness, reducing distractions and promoting a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

If you're someone who doesn't like writing in a physical notebook, or if you feel like you would have the tendency to leave a physical notebook lying around, why not consider using a digital diary app instead? With a digital diary app like Journey, you can write your gratitude journal entries and reply to gratitude journal prompts with ease and efficiency.

Using Journey, you can write your gratitude journal on whatever device you prefer — your laptop, your tablet or your phone. Yes, you can now write and answer your gratitude journal prompts on the way home from work or from the comfort of your own bed.

Whether you jot down what you’re grateful for in your phone, use a guided gratitude journal, answer a few gratitude journal prompts every night, or practice gratitude mentally, incorporating some form of gratitude into your daily life can help you experience a major glow up.

Embarking on a glow-up journey is an empowering endeavor that allows you to become the best version of yourself. By implementing these six practices like journaling, making use of journaling guides and templates, figuring out a morning routine that gets you going, and exercising, you can make remarkable progress in your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Remember, glowing up extends past just physical transformations to also include unlocking your true potential and embarking on a remarkable journey of personal growth and transformation. Your glow-up is unique to you, and the journey is as important as the destination.

Be patient, kind to yourself, and celebrate every step forward. As you embrace these transformative practices, you'll discover newfound confidence, inner strength, and a profound sense of fulfillment. So go forth, embrace your glow-up journey, and unleash the best version of yourself upon the world.

You've got this!