That One Week Where I Pretended to Be My Dream Self

Let’s just start here: you know that girl on Pinterest who journals at 6 a.m., eats smoothie bowls with edible flowers, wears matching sets to run errands, and somehow has the energy of a yoga teacher crossed with a CEO?

Yeah. I decided to be her for a week. Or at least try.

Not because I think she’s real (she’s definitely filtering her life like the rest of us), but because I wanted to see what would happen if I just… showed up like my dream self. Even if only temporarily. Even if only for seven days. Even if I did it all while on my period and being personally attacked by my uterus.

Spoiler: some parts changed me. Some parts broke me. But we’ll get to that.

Morning Misery: Waking Up at 7:30 a.m.

Listen. I’m not a morning person. I’m not even a mid-morning person. I’m a “stares at the ceiling until 10 a.m.” person. But I set my alarm for 7:30 a.m. every single day. Did I actually get out of bed at 7:30? Rarely. Did I regret it? Kinda. But also no.

Waking up early — even when I wanted to cry — did give me more hours in the day. More time to write, romanticize, and spiral productively. Apparently, psychology agrees: early risers have better emotional regulation, more motivation, and feel more in control of their lives. Couldn’t tell you if that’s true yet, but I did feel slightly more main character and slightly less feral gremlin.

Bonus challenge: doing this while bleeding like a Victorian heroine and trying not to sob. Love that for me.

The Smoothie Bowl Breakfast Era

Usually, I run on iced coffee and anxiety until at least 2 p.m. But this week, I channeled my inner wellness influencer and made a smoothie bowl every morning.

Recipe of the week:

• 1 banana

• 1/4 cup almond milk

• 1 scoop chocolate protein

• 1 scoop peanut butter

• Blend and top with whatever’s in the fridge (or aesthetically pleasing)

It was actually good. Filling. Fast. And felt vaguely like self-care. Way better than caffeine on an empty stomach, which — newsflash — is destroying your gut and metabolism. Blume SuperBelly electrolyte packets helped too (not sponsored, but like… Blume call me).

Also pro tip: frozen banana = elite texture.

3 Hours a Day on The Whispered Edit

Since it’s summer and I’m not buried in essays and existential dread, I carved out three hours a day just for this. For the blog. For Bella. For you.

I wrote posts. I planned upcoming ones. I set up our Pinterest (yes, it’s cute). I curated highlight covers on Insta and ran a few polls (follow us @thewhisperededit if you’re not already, bestie). I organized moodboards, prepped content pillars, and listened to podcast girlies while doing it.

And honestly? It was therapeutic. Purposeful. It didn’t feel like work — it felt like finally giving myself space to build the thing I’ve always wanted.

Keeping My Room Clean (Not Clickbait)

This one should be easy. It's just… not. My natural state is “looks like I tried on 20 outfits and gave up halfway.” But this week, I tried to keep everything in order. Floors, bed, vanity — all reset daily.

Was it perfect? No. My closet still looks like it lost a fight. My vanity drawer is screaming. But the room itself? Peaceful. Calming. Almost Pinterest-worthy. We’ll do the full clean-out in a weekend vlog (coming… eventually).

Wearing Actual Colour (Yes, Beige Counts)

I’m a neutrals girl through and through — black, white, beige, repeat. But this week, I made it my mission to wear at least one piece of colour daily.

Monday: pastel pink cardi.

Tuesday: lavender tank.

Wednesday: black (listen… Wednesdays are hard).

Thursday: soft blue skirt.

Friday: sage green.

Wearing colour really did lift my mood. It was giving soft, feminine, approachable. I’m not talking neon spandex — I mean subtle, elegant tones that still feel Bella-coded. And now that I’ve started… I don’t think I’m stopping.

Signature Scent Era Unlocked

Okay. Let’s talk about the scent.

I wasn’t going to share this because gatekeeping is a love language, but here we go:

• Philosophy Warm Cashmere body cream — on my arms and neck

• Random vanilla rose body oil from Marshalls — neck and wrists

• Michael Germain Sexual Noir perfume — to finish

It’s giving “soft girl with secrets,” freshly showered but mysterious. And wearing the same scent daily? Changed everything. People remember it. I feel more put together.

It’s cohesive. Intentional. Delicious.

Letting My Face Breathe (Kinda)

I’m the type of girl who wears a full face to run errands. Concealer, blush, gloss, the works. But this week, if I wasn’t leaving the house? No makeup. Not even a swipe of brow gel.

My pores said thank you. My skin was less irritated. I even did two face masks — one pink clay, one hydrating — and it honestly helped.

Was I less glam at 10 p.m.? Yes. Was it worth it? Also yes.

End of Week Recap: Bella’s Dream Self Debrief

Did I become a brand new person? Not quite.

Did I prove to myself that I could show up as her when I tried? Absolutely.

Waking up early: 6/10 for vibes, 10/10 for productivity

Smoothie bowls: new staple (but switching up flavors weekly is key)

Blog hours: gave me life. I loved creating for us

Room reset: helps more than I realized (closet pending…)

Wearing colour: low effort, high impact mood boost

Signature scent: obsessed. Literally me in a bottle

No makeup at home: worth it — and freeing in a weird way

So… Would I Do It Again?

Yes. But maybe not all at once.

Trying to become your dream self in a week is ambitious. Borderline delusional. But also fun. Transformative. Romantic. It reminded me that I already am her — I just need structure, intention, and cute accessories.

If you’re thinking about doing your own “dream self” week, this is your sign. Start small. Pick a few habits. Romanticize the boring stuff. And then come back and tell me how it went.

Until then…

Keep her soft. Keep her organized. Keep them guessing.

xoxo, Bella James.