Effortless Adulting: 15 Ways to Fake It ‘Til You Make It

Life is hard, especially when you enter the thrilling yet terrifying world of adulthood—cue the first white hair, the bank account that never seems to recover, and hangovers that last longer than some relationships. Ah yes, it's all happening. Hold my hand while I say it: growing up. Adulting. Ew.

I swear I was just a teenager. Or at least, I like to tell myself I still am. One minute, I was out drinking three nights in a row, wearing a size XS, functioning on zero sleep like it was nothing. And then—boom. One glass of wine too many and I’m bedridden with a three-day hangover, contemplating my life choices.

And don’t even get me started on the sudden size M transformation and finding my first white hair. Like, why did no one warn me about this? Where was the adulting manual? The worst part? Life doesn’t slow down. It just keeps going at 100mph with no brakes, no seatbelt, and absolutely no refund policy.

But since we can’t exactly quit (trust me, I tried my 30 day return policy), here are 15 survival tips for adulting—or, at the very least, trying to stay alive while pretending we have it all together.

Ditch the A.M. Scrolls

Switch to an alarm clock – So you’re not waking up to a near-death experience.

Nothing says good morning like your iPhone alarm violently jolting you out of sleep, heart pounding, soul temporarily leaving your body. Why are they all so aggressive?! Instead, opt for a chic alarm clock—something that doesn’t feel like it’s launching you into a war zone the second you open your eyes. The Hatch, for example, wakes you up gently with soft bird sounds and a sunrise simulation. Having a separate alarm clock also means you avoid doom scrolling first thing in the morning. Give yourself 10-15 minutes to wake up like a civilized person before diving into texts, emails, and whatever chaos is unfolding in the groupchat. And no, it doesn’t have to be the Hatch—any alarm clock works. Just make it cute so it feels intentional. Because if we’re going to be forced to wake up every day, we might as well do it in style. Am I right?

Your Friends & Family Would Like to See You Before Your next Gray Hair

Look, I get it—life is busy we are busy. One minute, you’re promising to catch up soon, and the next, it’s been six months, your family thinks you’ve disappeared, and your best friend is one unanswered text away from filing a missing person report. (It's me I am that friend). But here’s the thing: people age, time moves fast, and your next gray hair is already in production. I said YOURS not mine just to be clear. Call your mom. Call your friends. Plan a brunch. Show up to family dinner. Even if it’s just a quick FaceTime while you fold laundry, make the effort—because one day, you’ll regret all the times you said, “I’ll text them later.” And if nothing else, do it before they are starting a life that your are simply watching from the outside.

I Would Date Me Too!

Embrace time with yourself – Whether it’s an everything shower or just self-care. You know that main character energy we all strive for? It starts with treating yourself like someone you actually enjoy being around. Take yourself on a solo coffee date, actually I don't know about that I would never eat alone in public I get nervous. You can however romanticize your skincare routine. Blast music while doing your everything shower (shampoo, deep conditioner, exfoliate, shave, moisturizer—the whole nine yards).

Alone time isn’t sad. It’s elite. And the best part? Zero small talk required.

Clean Your Space, or at Least Hide the Mess..

Clean a little bit every day – No one likes a slob kabob! You know what’s worse than cleaning? Letting the mess pile up until your home looks like you belong on a TLC hoarder show. Instead of waiting until your floors are dirty and your laundry pile grows larger, try doing one small thing each day. Wipe down counters. Put your clothes in the hamper, not on “the chair.” Do dishes before they become an unintentional science experiment. Actually do your dishes after every meal be a clean girly!! Future you will thank you.

This is dedicated to my Grandma the cleanest lady I know, thank you for teaching me how to be a proper clean and polished lady!

Coconut Oil Is Basically the jar of youth

Use coconut oil – Oil pulling, body lotion, makeup remover—it does it all. Name a problem, and coconut oil probably has at least five solutions. Dry skin? Slather it on. Need a deep-conditioning hair treatment? Coconut oil. Forgot to buy makeup remover? You guessed it—coconut oil. I have not used makeup remover in about 3 years coconut oil is my go too and chemical free of course. Oh, and oil pulling? Do not even get me started It sounds weird (swishing oil in your mouth for 10-20 minutes), but your teeth will be sparkling and your dentist will think you suddenly got your life together. It’s cheap, effective, and makes you feel like a wellness guru.

Hydration, But Make It Sexy

Enter: sexy water.

Drink sexy water – Infuse it with lemon, mint, or electrolytes for hydration that feels luxurious. My perosnal Sexy water includes Electrolytes, and vitamin C. I do a rotation of whatever poweder suppliments I am taking sometimes its detox water (ginger, mint, lemon, and lemon grass), or powdered greens. Let’s be honest: plain water is delicious but sexy water is like a mocktails that helps ( headaches, dehydration, and dull skin). Throw in some lemon, mint, berries, or cucumber and suddenly, you’re hydrated and sophisticated. Want to feel even fancier? Use a cute glass or your huge water bottle. Instant rich girl hydration energy.

Your Fridge Deserves Better

Wash all your fruits & veggies + clean your fridge after every grocery trip.

Nothing says “I’m an adult” like having a fridge that doesn’t smell questionable and isn’t stocked with just condiments and expired oat milk. Washing your produce as soon as you get home = one less thing to do when you're starving later. Also, cleaning out old food prevents your fridge from becoming a haunted house of forgotten leftovers. I use baking soda and water to cleab my veggies and it's my absolute favotire thing ever!

Make Your Bed

Make your bed every morning – The easiest way to fake having your life together.

This takes 30 seconds, and suddenly, your room looks 50% cleaner. Plus, crawling into a made bed at night? Elite feeling. Not making your bed is like leaving dirty underwear laying around.

Move Your Body, you'll fell better

Some form of movement is important – It doesn’t have to be intense.

Exercise doesn’t have to mean suffering through a gym session you hate. Dance in your kitchen, take a hot girl walk, do lazy girl Pilates while watching TV—just move. You don’t need to be a fitness influencer. You just need to keep your body moving!

Future You Will Thank You for This One

Skincare routine – Because your future self will thank you.

Skipping skincare now = paying for expensive treatments later. Cleanse, moisturize, sunscreen. Non-negotiable.

Take Your Damn Vitamins and Drink your Bone Broth

Vitamins – A little self-care from the inside out. Are you low on energy? Getting sick constantly? Feeling meh? Take. Your. Vitamins. It’s called self-care, sweetie. Drink your bone broth your getting wrinkles and need collegan, your welcome.

Fresh Nails, Fresh Energy

Whether it’s a full manicure or just clean, filed nails, it makes a difference. Even if you don’t go full nail salon girly, having clean, shaped nails makes you feel like you have your life together.

Know Where Your Money Goes

Make a budget – Because “where did my money go?” is not a fun game. Adulting means realizing money disappears faster than you can make it. At least pretend to track it.

The 'I’m Too Tired to Cook' Backup Plan

Always have an emergency meal – For when cooking is just not happening. Keep frozen meals, pasta, or something easy on hand, so you don’t end up spending $40 on UberEats at midnight. This will also prevent you from craving! I always have an emergency homemade soup, chicken or salmon stocked in my freezer!

Smell Good, Feel Good

If you know me you know my sensitivty to smells and the importance of having a signature scent – Perfume, body mist, or lotion that makes you feel put together. Nothing screams effortlessly hot like having a signature scent. You don’t need a million perfumes. Just one that makes people think of you when they smell it.