Stop trying to be them...

and start becoming your fave version of you.

As I put the coffee on and flipped my Classic Tractors calendar to August, I realized… life has gotten a little mundane.

And I’m actually loving it.

After two whirlwind months of packing, moving, cleaning, organizing, and setting up my life here on my new country acreage, the slower pace feels almost shocking.

But these quieter days? They’ve brought me a handful of habits I absolutely love - the kind that feel so natural, I don’t even have to think about them.

When habits feel like you

I think it’s because I’ve gotten into a new routine that feels amazing - comfortable, grounding, and peaceful. Every single one is getting me closer to my fave self - who I want to be, and how I want to live.

Moving from a busy, city lifestyle packed with events, outings, and networking to the country in the middle of summer was a big change.

My pace shifted naturally, and so did my habits.

That’s why they feel so comfortable - and why I’ve been able to be consistent with some of them for over a month now. They’ve become second nature. They’re just me. I don’t have to think about them. They are my behavior. They are who I am.

Habits can feel good

I want to share some of those habits today, in case you’d like to borrow one. But also to show you that everybody’s habits and routines can look completely different.

The one thing I do believe, in my experience anyway, is that everyone’s habits or routine should work for them.

You should enjoy doing them - that’s what makes them sustainable.

Waking up real early

The first habit that started naturally for me was waking up earlier, which has given me more peace, ease, and a foundation to start my day EXACTLY how I want to.

I know, this isn’t groundbreaking.

A lot of people do this - the 5am Club types, the busy mamas who need 30 minutes of quiet before the day starts, the really spiritual folks who meditate or do yoga with the sunrise. This is nothing new.

But at the same time - it feels groundbreaking to me.

It happened in a really gentle, natural way, which helped a lot.

If you’ve been following along with things out here, I talked all about the saga of hanging curtains. For the first month and a half I lived in this house, I had none. So when the sun rose between 5:30 and 6:00 a.m., so did I.

That became my rhythm. And when I finally bought curtains (these beautiful linen ones that I love so, so much) I purposely chose to not get light-blocking ones.

I want to keep waking up with the sun. That feels good. It surprises me that it feels natural, but it does. And that’s been the first habit I’ve absolutely loved.

Why walking feels different here

My second habit is walking. Again - not groundbreaking - but absolutely mind-clearing and gut-supporting for me.

I know everyone from the Huberman Lab podcast to Mel Robbins says the same thing: get up and walk, get the light on your eyeballs, support your circadian rhythm. Yes. I’ve always heard that.

But this one was hard for me in the city. Getting up early and walking there was not peaceful. I lived in a busy area (also not the safest), so I was either dealing with traffic, exhaust, and noise - or constantly looking over my shoulder at the less savory folks still lingering from the night before.

Sometimes I’d get home from the walk more stressed than when I left.

But here in the country? I clip a leash on Todd, throw on sneakers, and go. I can wear whatever I want. Walk wherever I want. The air is fresh, the sun’s coming up, the fields are glowing, the birds and crickets are singing. It is so beautiful.

And that one walk makes a world of difference.

The magic of post-meal walks

Not only do I walk first thing in the morning - but I’ve also started walking after every meal.

I heard on a podcast somewhere that walking directly after a meal - not sitting there watching TV, not reading, not talking to your dining companions - helps with digestion and lowers blood sugar.

Since I’ve got 10 acres here, the dog and I go for a walk after every meal, and it’s amazing.

I don’t know if it’s a placebo effect, but I’ve noticed a big difference in my bloating and digestion.

My tip: take a 5–10 minute walk after every meal - even if you’re in an office, just move. Wash your dishes. Walk around the building. Go fill up your water bottle on another floor.

And to my past city self? Drive to a park. If your neighbourhood stresses you out or it’s too loud or dirty, go to a park. Walk where it’s quieter, calmer, and you can be in nature a bit more.

Warm water + ACV mornings

Another little AM habit that’s been helping with my old bloat and weird gut situation is warm water with apple cider vinegar first thing in the morning.

This one I got from Love Sweat Fitness, Katie Dunlop. I’ve followed her for years but never really took much of her advice, because I always made excuses like “I’m too busy to prioritize my health.”

I grew up in '90s diet culture. I remember my mom and her friends - even teachers - talking about taking shots of apple cider vinegar to lose weight. So when I heard Katie say ACV, I perked up.

Now, I don’t shoot it - that sounds like hell.

Instead, I mix a tablespoon into a warm glass of water, and that’s the first thing I drink.

It’s supposed to re-hydrate you, support digestion, and just feel good. The little bit of research that’s out there says it’s not for weight loss - it’s for gut health.

That’s my focus right now: gut health.

I don’t think that it’s a miracle cure. No. But it makes me feel better - and that’s my whole ethos in life.

If I’m not hurting myself or anyone else, and it makes me feel good? I’m doing it.

Protein, but make it a priority

The last habit that’s made a huge difference - and one I never expected to love - is eating enough protein.

I’m most certainly NOT a health expert. Not a dietitian, nutritionist, or trainer. I’m just a girl trying to put her health first for the first time in a long time.

I used to work a ton and make excuses and not eat until 3 or 4 in the afternoon - and I felt awful.

When I first moved here - even though I was sleeping better, felt less stressed, and had more peace - I still felt a little drained. So I started exploring what might help.

I follow a lot of fitness girlies on Insta, and they all say the same thing: protein first.

Now, I try to eat 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight, and I feel incredible.

I have more energy, I feel stronger, I can keep up with the physical work around the farm, and I’m already noticing changes in my body and muscles - which feels really good.

I just want to feel strong and healthy, and able to do what I need to do without relying on someone else’s muscles.

Why these habits stick

I believe it’s because they’re aligned with where I am, where I want to go, and what I want to do.

Not someone else’s perfect cold-plunge-at-5am routine.

Not what an influencer says I should do.

These are habits I naturally fell into, that feel good.

And that’s why they’re sustainable.

Your turn

If you’re interested in mixing up your own routine, I’d suggest looking at three things:

• Where are you right now (your time, energy, work, lifestyle, season)?

• Where do you want to be (just in the next 6 months)?

• What do you like (what do you already do that feels good)?

Don’t overthink it. Don’t aim for perfection. Just pick what fits.

Flow > Perfection

I did a podcast episode last year about morning habits (you can give it a listen here), and looking back through my journals, I can see how much they’ve evolved.

It’s a great reminder that you are always changing and your habits should evolve with you.

You don’t need to be rigid. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to pay attention and give yourself grace.

Some days look different. Some days I skip the vinegar drink. Some days I take a shorter walk in the AM. Some days I eat at my laptop and don’t walk until later.

But I don’t beat myself up for it.

I just flow.

I used to think becoming my best self meant doing everything perfectly - every day, no exceptions.

But my fave self?

She gives herself grace. She builds a life that feels like hers.

Stop trying to be them

It’s so tempting to compare yourself to influencers with perfect routines, perfect bodies, perfect homes. But if you stop trying to be them - and start becoming your fave version of you - you will become your best self by default.

Because you’ll be someone who’s truly happy. Truly fulfilled. Truly living a life that feels like hers - from the inside out.

What’s working for you right now?

At least for now, that’s what’s working for me - and that’s what I’m rolling with.

And once again - I’m not a doctor. Just a girl sharing what’s been feeling really good for me lately.

Always do what works best for your body and your season.

So, what habits are actually working for you right now? What are you loving - not because it’s trendy, but because it feels like you?

Remember - the habits that stick are the ones that feel like you.

I hope this gave you permission to slow down, check in, and choose habits that actually feel like yours.

If something resonated with you, I’d love it if you’d share this post or tag me over on Instagram @faveselfceo and let me know what habits are helping you feel more like your fave self right now.

And go do something that feels good and true for you.

Alright, I’ll talk to you soon 💛

-K