The Everygirl's 31-Day "Best Self Summer" Challenge

There are many things to love about the beginning of summer, but that I-can-do-anything feeling that comes with brighter days holds a special place in our hearts. Having a “best self summer” in 2026 is all about tapping into your highest self, your most positive energy, and a level of confidence that you’ve never accessed before. This Best Self-Summer Challenge is less about being the “hottest” possible version of yourself in the eyes of society or other people and more about feeling like the best possible version of yourself—because when you’re putting that high self-esteem energy out into the world, you’re going to attract that energy back.

From journal prompts to super-inspiring episodes of The Everygirl Podcast to little everyday hacks that will help you romanticize your life, we’ve compiled a list of 31 activities to do every single day for every day of May to kick off the warmer season as your best self. This challenge is designed to harness all of that amazing energy you’re probably already feeling as the weather gets warmer and put it back into your well-being. You deserve to feel like the most confident and capable version of yourself this summer, and this challenge is designed to help you get there. Throw on your cutest sundress and get ready for the best summer yet.

The Everygirl’s 31-Day “Best Self Summer” Challenge

Week 1: Optimize Your Health

1. Listen to: “May’s Curriculum: Your Glow-Up Guide to Hot Girl Summer“
2. Read: 10 Hacks Wellness Girls Always Use While Grocery Shopping, and then try during your next shopping trip
3. Walk 10,000 steps
4. Eat leafy greens with two meals today
5. Make “the healthiest smoothie in the world” (or a smoothie packed with whatever whole foods you have in your fridge)
6. Romanticize your workout today
7. Listen to: “Jennifer Aniston’s Trainer on How to See Results Without Working Out More“

Week 2: Tap Into Your Highest-Self Energy

8. Make a list of your best self’s qualities–then, strategize how you can adapt those qualities or routines now
9. Read: The Viral “48-Hour Rule” That Might Change How You Set (and Keep) Your Goals
10. Listen to: “Money Queen Amanda Frances on How to Manifest Wealth“
11. Do something your highest self would (dress a little fancier, have a luxurious nighttime routine, romanticize cooking dinner, etc.)
12. Make a vision board for summer
13. Listen to: “15 Life Cheat Codes That Make Everything Better“
14. Try “future you” journaling

Week 3: Feel Good in Your Skin

15. Look in the mirror and make a list of all the things you love about yourself
16. Treat yourself to your favorite face mask or hair mask
17. Listen to: “Hot Girl Summer: My Super Detailed Beauty Routine“
18. Wear that outfit that makes you feel amazing
19. Read: 7 Micro-Habits I Added to My Wellness Routine That Gave Me the Best Skin of My Life
20. Listen to: “Hot Girl Summer: How To (Finally) Love Your Body“
21. DIY a lymphatic drainage massage

Week 4: Boost Your Energy

22. Get to bed 30 minutes earlier and wake up 30 minutes earlier
23. Go for a walk when your afternoon slump starts to hit
24. Listen to: “Your Guide to Mastering Your Energy“
25. Try one of these breakfast recipes for all-day energy
26. Make a list of everything you’re excited about (it can be as small as dinner or tomorrow’s morning coffee or as big as a vacation you have coming up this summer)
27. Listen to: “Hot Girl Summer: 9 Powerful Lifestyle Habits of the World’s Healthiest People“
28. Get sunlight first thing in the morning

Week 5: Live Your Best Life

29. Make your own summer bucket list of all the big and small things you want to do this summer
30. Read: 28 Ways to Romanticize Your Life This Summer
31. Listen to June’s Curriculum to prepare for the new month

MEET JOSIE

Josie Santi, Senior Wellness Editor & Podcast Host

Josie has been an editor and writer for The Everygirl since 2017 and became a certified Holistic Health Coach in 2020. As the Senior Wellness Editor, she oversees, writes, and edits wellness content, as well as reports on wellness trends and interviews the industry’s leading experts. Listen to Josie on The Everygirl Podcast.

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