Have you seen those calming “that girl” night routine videos on social media? They turn bedtime into a peaceful self-care ritual. Okay, maybe “party” is an exaggeration, but watching these videos makes you want to unwind and have that kind of relaxing night. A “that girl” night routine is all about putting yourself first—creating an evening that promotes peace, self-care, mindfulness, and positive energy. Your nighttime routine actually impacts your sleep, how you wake up, and your productivity the next day. Ever stayed up late working or watching a movie, and then finally dropped your phone at 2 a.m.? How did you feel the next morning? Now, imagine ending your day by relaxing, journaling, reading, enjoying your favorite show with scented candles, and meditating before bed. Doesn’t that sound peaceful and calm?I know you want to create the perfect routine for yourself, but maybe you’re feeling stuck, especially after spending hours scrolling on social media. Then, you end up going to bed late and waking up feeling off. But don’t worry—building your ideal “that girl” night routine might be tricky, but I’ve put together a checklist to help you create a routine that suits you and makes your evenings amazing.
What is that Girl Night Routine?
A “that girl” night routine is a set of habits to help you relax before bed. It helps you unwind and get better sleep. This routine encourages healthy habits like skincare or reading. The idea is simple: focus on yourself. You take time to calm down and avoid stress. Many people share cozy bedtime routines online, but the goal is to relax. A peaceful night helps you feel rested. It’s all about putting yourself first at the end of the day. Following this routine can help you feel healthier and happier. A “that girl” routine is about self-care and making your night calm.
18 Relaxing “That Girl” Night Routine Ideas in 2025
There’s no perfect way to do your night routine, and you don’t need to follow everything on the checklist. Pick simple activities that help you relax and get a good night’s rest.The goal is to create a routine that works for you and feels easy. Choose habits that help you unwind and enjoy your evening. It’s about making your night calm, not stressful.Feel free to mix and match things from the “that girl” night routine checklist. You can rearrange them however you like. Make your routine personal and do what feels best for you.Focus on relaxing, getting good sleep, and taking care of yourself. Your night routine should help you feel ready for the next day.
1. Set Aside Time
The first step to a good nighttime routine is setting time aside for yourself. Whether we realize it or not, our bodies thrive on routine. If you do something consistently over time, your body will adjust to it. For example, when I switched from being a night owl to waking up at 5 a.m., I had to change my routine. I tried different night routines until I found what worked for me. Now, I finish my tasks before 8 p.m., and by 9 p.m., I start my self-care routine. If I’m still on my laptop past 8:30 p.m., I start feeling uncomfortable and unproductive—my brain just shuts off. This is because my body needs to relax after 8 p.m.8 p.m. might feel late for some people, but it works for me. I usually have dinner between 6 and 6:30 p.m., then wrap up work since I run two businesses from home. I know this is a long story about how I set time for my “that girl night routine,” but it’s meant to show how practical and realistic this guide is.So, set a specific time each evening to shut everything down and relax—even if you work from home.
2 . Unwind
Maybe you had a great day and just want to unwind. Think about things that signal to your body, “Hey, it’s time to relax and breathe.” For me, turning off my laptop and dimming the lights instantly tells my brain it’s time to wind down. For others, it might be as simple as kicking off their shoes and sitting on the couch. What signals your body that it’s time to rest and enjoy your evening? If you haven’t figured it out yet, don’t worry. With practice, you’ll find what works for you.
3 . Prepare the Environment
Preparing your space and unwinding go together when creating a night routine that helps you relax. Think about what makes you feel calm, like playing soft music, making your bed comfy, changing the sheets, cleaning up, or sweeping (a clean, tidy space works wonders for me). You could also use diffusers, dim lights, candles, warm blankets, and fresh clothes (I love the smell of clean clothes). Setting up your space this way helps you relax and enjoy your night routine.
4. Practice Light Exercise and Move Your Body
Moving your body for just 15-30 minutes helps you sleep better. If you sit at a desk like I do, stretching and moving your muscles can make you feel good. You can try yoga for 30 minutes or even dance around the house while getting things done. I love listening to music and shaking my body while cleaning up and getting ready for bed. Doing simple activities like yoga, stretching, or dancing before bed is calming, as you want to avoid anything that makes it hard to fall asleep quickly.
5. Take Out the Makeup
Do you wear makeup or have any self-care routines you like to do before showering? If you have makeup on, use moist makeup remover wipes to clean your face. It’s better to remove makeup before getting in the shower, since makeup can be sticky. I prefer using these wipes instead of water. If you have more time before bed, you can treat yourself to a facial massage or apply a nourishing face mask for a few minutes before you shower.
6. Enjoy a Self Care Shower
For some people, showering is the first thing they do when they get home, while others shower before dinner. I prefer having dinner early, from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., to avoid indigestion or bloating, so I eat before showering. Showering is the last thing I do before getting into bed for the rest of my night routine, like reading or journaling. How you organize your routine is totally up to you.However, a self-care shower is different from a regular shower, where you quickly hop in and out. A self-care shower is relaxing and rejuvenating—it’s like sending your body a love letter while in the bathroom. During a self-care shower, take your time to pamper your body and unwind. To make your shower feel extra special, try adding bath bombs, soothing salts, essential oils, and showering with warm water.
7. Practice After Shower Body Care
A “that girl” night routine is incomplete without after-shower body and skincare! Skin care is an essential part of your nighttime routine and comes right after showering. Before I started my routine, I’d jump into bed right after showering without caring for my skin, which left it feeling dry and rough. Now, I make skincare a priority at night because it’s just as important as daytime care. Nighttime is actually the best time to focus on skincare. Start by gently patting your body dry with a soft towel and be careful when cleaning your face.
8. Dress For The Night
After taking care of your body, it’s time to put on comfy clothes. I don’t know about you, but I love feeling beautiful and smelling nice when I go to bed. What you wear can also affect how well you sleep and how quickly you fall asleep. So, avoid wearing itchy or tight clothes at night—let your body breathe and relax. Choose soft, silky, cotton, and breathable nightwear that’s comfortable and non-restrictive. I prefer wearing nightwear made from materials that help regulate temperature, so I switch up my nightwear based on the weather. These sets I got from Amazon are my favorites.
9. Eat a Healthy & Delicious Dinner
Your “that girl” night routine isn’t complete without some healthy meals. I know snacks can be tempting, but they’re not the best choice. One thing about “that girl” is she’s intentional about what, when, and how she eats. If you want to build a healthy routine that promotes good rest, try eating dinner early to avoid bloating and make sure to include veggies. I love eating while watching my favorite show—it helps me unwind and distracts me. You might be thinking, “Isn’t eating while watching TV bad?” But for me, it’s part of creating a night routine that helps me relax, so why not?
10. Journal Your Thoughts
By now, you know I love journaling. It helps me sort through my emotions and clear my mind. That’s why it’s at the top of my “that girl” night routine. Journaling is great for self-love, personal growth, or just getting to know yourself better. It lets you look back on your day and reflect. Writing down your thoughts helps release stress. In your journal, you can remember good moments, share your experiences, and notice both positive and negative habits in your routine.
11. Reflect and Review your Day
After journaling, take some time to think about your day. Reflecting helps me understand my feelings and thoughts. I do it every day, week, month, and year to stay focused on my goals.Many people don’t realize how important reflection is. Taking a moment each day to reflect helps you relax and clear your mind. It’s a simple way to check in with yourself.Reflection helps you stay on track and understand yourself better. It brings clarity and peace, helping you focus on what matters most.
12. Plan for the Next Day
One of the best habits of being that girl is planning. Planning your day helps you create a smooth night routine. You might be wondering, “How?” since many people think of planning as a chore. But planning actually helps you organize and prepare for your day. In your planner or to-do list, write down everything you need to do, from personal tasks to work and errands. I like to make my to-do list before bed, but you can also do it after work. The key is to plan your day ahead.Now, let’s move on to the fun part—other things in the “that girl” night routine checklist!
13. Relax and Watch Your Favorite Show
Once you’re done with other activities, it’s time to head to bed and relax. You can either watch your favorite show or unwind in the living room. Personally, I love watching K-dramas to relax after a busy day (lol). I usually spend about an hour catching up on a new episode of a Korean series. For you, it might be a reality TV show, drama, comedy, or anything you enjoy. Grab a cozy blanket, your favorite snack (if you’re into late-night snacking), and enjoy some screen time.You might be thinking, “Isn’t watching TV bad for sleep?” I try to limit screen time at least 30 minutes before bed. For me, there’s something so calming about turning off the lights and watching TV to unwind. I also avoid news channels at night since they often bring up stressful and upsetting stories.
14. Read a Book
“That girl” makes everything look beautiful, even her night routine. A simple way to take care of yourself is by reading books. Being “that girl” means having a night routine that makes you feel good. It’s about creating a calm time to relax. Imagine reading your favorite book with candles or a diffuser, forgetting about the day. Grab a cozy blanket, make your favorite drink, and enjoy the quiet. I keep my routine simple, reading for 30 minutes. But if I’m enjoying a good book, I sometimes read for an hour instead of watching a movie. It helps me relax and get ready for bed.
15. Throw in Your Hobbies
What are your hobbies? Hobbies help you relax, and “that girl” knows this. To have a great night routine, do things you enjoy. You can journal, listen to music or podcasts, or paint in bed. Meditation and stretching are good too. Instead of looking at social media, try doing something relaxing. Hobbies help you forget about stress. Doing what you love makes it easier to sleep. Reading or drawing can clear your mind. Pick a calm hobby and enjoy your night. It will help you feel relaxed and ready to sleep.