I didn’t start looking up glow up challenges because I was bored or inspired or suddenly motivated by some Pinterest quote.
Nope.
I was sitting in my car. Engine off. Just… sitting there.
Because going inside felt like too much work.
You ever do that? Just exist in your car like it’s a waiting room for your own life?
Anyway—somewhere between checking my phone and staring into space, I thought, “Okay… something needs to shift.”
Not a full life overhaul. I didn’t have the energy for that.
Just… something small.
And that’s how I fell into the whole “glow up challenges” thing. Except—most of them? Completely unrealistic.
“Wake up at 5 AM, journal, meditate, drink green juice, run 5 miles, become a new person.”
Ma’am. I barely found matching socks this morning.
🧠 The Truth About Glow Up Challenges for Busy Women
Here’s the thing no one says out loud:
If a glow up challenge doesn’t fit into your already chaotic, slightly unhinged schedule… it’s not gonna happen.
Like, at all.
Busy women don’t need more pressure.
We need shortcuts. Gentle ones. Lazy-smart ones.
The kind that make you feel better without rearranging your entire life.
☕ The “Don’t Touch Your Phone for 10 Minutes” Challenge
Okay this one sounds stupid.
I thought so too.
But I tried it anyway—mostly out of spite.
The challenge:
When you wake up… don’t touch your phone for 10 minutes.
That’s it.
What actually happened:
Day 1: I stared at the ceiling like I forgot how mornings work.
Day 7: I wasn’t immediately stressed before even brushing my teeth.
It’s such a tiny shift, but wow—it hits different.
Also, less scrolling = less comparing your life to strangers who somehow look perfect at 6 AM.
Suspicious.
🚿 The “Upgrade One Thing” Challenge
This one saved me.
Because instead of trying to fix everything, I just picked one thing.
Examples of “one thing”:
- Switched my body wash to one that smells like I have my life together
- Bought slightly nicer pajamas (not expensive, just… less tragic)
- Started using a real water bottle instead of random cups
Tiny upgrades. That’s it.
But they add up in a weird way.
Like suddenly you’re brushing your teeth thinking,
“Okay… I’m kinda that girl now.”
🧍♀️ The “Walk Like You Mean It” Challenge
I know, I know. Sounds like something from a motivational speech.
I rolled my eyes too.
The idea:
When you walk—anywhere—walk like you have somewhere important to be.
Even if you’re just going to the kitchen.
What happened (unexpected plot twist):
I started feeling… more confident?
Like not in a dramatic way. Just a quiet “I belong here” kind of energy.
Also—this reminded me of watching interviews of Zendaya again. She walks like she’s not trying to impress anyone, and somehow that is impressive.
Annoying how that works.
😂 The “Romanticize Something Boring” Challenge
Okay this one is fun.
And slightly ridiculous.
The challenge:
Pick one boring daily task… and make it feel like a movie scene.
Things I tried:
- Making coffee like I’m in an indie film (slow movements, dramatic staring)
- Folding laundry while playing soft music like I’m healing from heartbreak
- Grocery shopping like I’m the main character of my own chaotic sitcom
Did it change my life?
No.
Did it make boring stuff less annoying?
Surprisingly, yes.
📝 The “Brain Dump Before Bed” Challenge
This one… I resisted.
Because by night, my brain is like a cluttered junk drawer.
I did NOT want to open it.
The challenge:
Write down everything in your head before sleeping.
No structure. No rules.
Just… dump it out.
What I noticed:
- I slept better (not magically, but noticeably)
- I stopped overthinking random conversations from 2009
- My brain felt… lighter? Less chaotic
Sometimes it was just:
“I need to buy milk. Also why did I say that weird thing in that meeting?? Anyway.”
Messy. But effective.
🧠 The “Stop Being Mean to Yourself” Challenge
This one is… ongoing.
And honestly the hardest.
The challenge:
Notice when you’re being unnecessarily harsh to yourself—and pause.
That’s it.
No forced positivity. No fake affirmations.
Just… pause.
Example (real moment):
Me: “Wow, you messed that up.”
Also me: “…okay relax, it wasn’t that bad.”
That tiny shift? Huge.
🍕 The “Actually Eat Real Meals” Challenge
I’m calling myself out here.
Because surviving on snacks and coffee is not a personality trait. (I tried. It’s not.)
The challenge:
Eat at least one proper meal a day.
Not perfect. Just… real.
Results:
- More energy (who knew food does that??)
- Less random mood swings
- Slightly fewer “why am I like this” moments
Progress, not perfection.
🌍 Random Things That Helped (Unexpectedly)
- Reading blogs like Cup of Jo—felt real, not preachy
- Rewatching Friends because comfort matters more than productivity sometimes
- Drinking water… consistently (still a struggle, not gonna lie)
🧩 The Problem With Most Glow Up Challenges
They assume you have:
- Unlimited time
- Unlimited energy
- Zero responsibilities
Which is… hilarious.
Because most of us are juggling work, family, errands, mental load, group chats that won’t shut up…
And somehow we’re supposed to become glowing, hydrated, perfectly balanced humans overnight?
Yeah, no.