Ali Abdaal
June 14, 2026
Can You Actually Do the 'That Girl' Morning Routine?
TL;DR
A millennial explores whether the viral "that girl" morning routine—featuring early waking, yoga, meditation, and matcha—is actually achievable compared to more extreme wellness trends.
Key Takeaways
- 1The 'that girl' phenomenon is a Gen Z concept describing an aspirational lifestyle similar to the 'Huberman husband' archetype for men
- 2A typical 'that girl' morning routine includes waking early, yoga, meditation, and drinking matcha—relatively accessible habits
- 3The routine is significantly less demanding than extreme wellness practices like 16-mile early morning runs
- 4Generational understanding gaps exist around viral internet trends and their meanings among older demographics
Notable Quotes
“What the hell does this mean?”
— Speaker (reacting to 'that girl')
“My understanding is that that girl is the is like the girl equivalent of like the Huberman husband, right?”
— Speaker
“That seems pretty achievable to be honest. It's much easier than going for like a 16-mile run first thing in the morning.”
— Speaker
Chapters
1. Introduction to Public Speaking Practice
The speaker begins a one-minute public speaking exercise, selecting the topic of Gen Z culture as a millennial perspective.
2. Understanding 'That Girl' Concept
The speaker explains their initial confusion about the phrase 'that girl' and how their wife introduced them to the viral phenomenon.
3. Comparing to Male Equivalents
The speaker draws parallels between 'that girl' and the 'Huberman husband' archetype, describing the male version's extreme morning routine.
4. Analyzing the Routine Components
The speaker breaks down typical 'that girl' morning routine elements: waking early, yoga, meditation, and matcha consumption.
5. Feasibility Assessment
The speaker concludes that the 'that girl' routine is achievable and far more realistic than extreme alternatives.
Key People & Entities
- Speaker's Wife
- Created a YouTube video about becoming 'that girl' and introduced the concept to the speaker
Glossary
- That Girl
- A viral Gen Z concept describing an aspirational lifestyle characterized by disciplined morning routines, wellness practices, and having one's life together
- Huberman Husband
- A male equivalent archetype known for extreme wellness routines including early waking, cold plunges, intensive exercise, and optimized daily habits
- Matcha
- A powdered green tea used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, popular in modern wellness and morning routines