I'm on a quest to look completely different by summer—here's my plan.

      Every spring without exception, I tell myself this will be the year I step into summer as a radiant, composed goddess. You can picture it: effortlessly sun-kissed, smooth skin, and an energy that radiates, "Yes, I woke up like this." However, when June arrives, rather than feeling my best, I'm rushing to make it work with some last-minute self-tanner and a single decent night of sleep.

      But this year? Finally, I’m taking the initiative with essential summer glow-up strategies that will help me look and feel my best—without the last-minute stress. Instead of scrambling in June, I’m making proactive choices now while I can prepare at a relaxed pace (rather than feeling like I'm racing against the clock). I’m concentrating on four key areas that genuinely influence how I feel: skincare, prioritizing movement, letting go of my razor, and changing my mindset. Because true summer glow-up is less about appearance and more about how I feel. Here’s what I have planned:

      Step 1: A skincare routine focused on radiance and sun protection

      I generally manage to eat my greens, satisfy my Oura ring, and take my Stanley along wherever I go, so I can't understand why my skin looks like "This girl hasn’t hydrated, slept for eight hours, or eaten a vegetable in months." To be honest, the stress and seasonal depression of recent months took a toll on my skincare routine. To revive my appearance, here are some practices and products I’m reintroducing. The target? Easy additions that will show results quickly.

      - Reduce puffiness by bringing back my trusty gua sha for lymphatic drainage.

      - Refresh my skin with at-home exfoliation, eliminating the need to visit the medspa.

      - Achieve maximum glow with a daily Vitamin C serum.

      - Seal in moisture with an overnight hydrating face mask.

      - Use tinted sunscreen—yes, every single day—on my face, neck, and hands to guard against UV rays.

      Step 2: Laser hair removal (so I can finally say goodbye to razor burn)

      My frustrations with traditional hair removal methods

      Shaving has been my go-to method for years, but honestly, I’m done with it. The endless cycle of shaving, only to miss spots or deal with razor burn, is not appealing. Waxing? Even worse—it’s painful, costly, and comes with that annoying grow-out phase at the worst times (like when I need to wear a bikini but have to wait a week for my next wax). I thought I was stuck with these two choices until I discovered the ultimate game-changer: laser hair removal.

      Why I’m opting for laser hair removal

      Laser hair removal isn’t a quick fix—it requires multiple sessions, which is why I’m starting now to be hair-free by summer. But trust me, the wait is worth it. With each session, regrowth diminishes, and by the end, I’ll be smooth, carefree, and free from razor bumps. It’s a lasting solution, and I love the idea of not having to shave or wax again. I decided to go with LaserAway for their medical-grade lasers, expert staff, and consistently positive results. Plus, they’re currently offering discounts up to 70%, making it an easy investment. After just two sessions, I’m already noticing a difference, and if you see my skin looking flawless at the beach this summer, you’ll know why.

      Step 3: Enjoyable movement (not a chore!)

      Focusing on consistency instead of perfection

      I used to think missing a "real" workout every day derailed my fitness progress. But as we all know, life happens, and some days, skipping a workout is necessary. When that occurs, I won’t criticize myself. A brief walk or a 10-minute yoga session on my bedroom floor still counts. Progress isn’t about never missing a day—it’s about showing up when I can, even if only in small ways.

      Fun workouts that make a difference

      While I’d love to be, I'm far from the type who can happily spend hours at the gym trying to figure out how to use different machines. It recently hit me that I’d probably stick to working out better if I found activities I truly enjoyed.

      So, which workouts do I love? Walking tops my list. It raises my heart rate, clears my mind, tones my legs, and I’ve even added some light weights to create a full-body experience. Additionally, yoga has significantly improved my mobility and mental well-being, and I enjoy bike rides in the afternoons or on weekends. To sum it up: Exercising doesn’t have to be a drag to yield results (note to self!).

      Creating a habit, even when I want to do anything else

      Let’s face it: Some days, I’d rather watch paint dry than be active. However, I’ve learned a few tricks to stay on track. First, cute