75 Soft Reset

Why I’m doing 75 Soft (and why it actually feels “soft”)

I kept seeing the 75 Soft / 75 Hard posts and I honestly thought, “cute… but when?” 😭 Between classes, work shifts, errands, and trying to have a life, the super intense version just wasn’t realistic for me. What finally made me start was realizing 75 Soft is flexible on purpose. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about building habits that make your days feel calmer and more put together—like a busy body, quiet mind kind of vibe.

So this is my personal 75 Soft setup: student-friendly, schedule-friendly, and still challenging enough to create real change. If you’re thinking about starting, take what you like and adjust the rest. That’s literally the point.

My 75 Soft rules (student edition, realistic edition)

I’m keeping my rules simple so I can actually repeat them for 75 days. The goal is consistency, not a “new personality” overnight.

Daily non-negotiables:

1) 30–45 minutes of movement (gym or home). If the day is chaotic, a brisk walk + a short strength circuit counts. If I’m sore, active recovery counts.

2) Steps goal (I’m aiming for 5k–10k). Some days I’ll hit 10k, some days I’ll hit 6k, but I’m not letting it be 800 anymore.

3) Hydration (2–3L water). I’m not trying to be a hero; I’m trying to be hydrated.

4) Read every day (minimum 5 pages). Fiction or non-fiction—just something that isn’t a screen.

5) Journal in the morning (even 5–15 minutes). If I can’t write a lot, I’ll do bullet points.

Weekly anchors:

6) Meal prep once a week (even if it’s “prep ingredients,” not full meals).

7) One library/study day (a real focused session, not a “sit there and stare” session).

8) One self-care day (not expensive, not complicated—just intentional).

9) Progress check: weekly weigh-in and/or progress picture. Not to obsess—just to track patterns.

Food + alcohol boundaries (soft, not extreme):

- Balanced meals most days (protein + fiber + color).
- Fast food/eating out only on special occasions (or once weekly if that’s more realistic).
- Alcohol only socially or not at all (I’m choosing “only socially”).

My “Clean Girl” morning routine (without waking up at 5am)

I’m not pretending I wake up at sunrise and do a 12-step routine in silence. My goal is to start the day feeling clean and steady, not rushed and scattered.

Morning flow:

- Wake up by 8:00 (or as close as possible).
- No scrolling for the first 30 minutes. This one is HARD because my thumb has a mind of its own. I’m replacing it with water + opening curtains.
- Drink water before anything else.
- Open curtains + make bed. It’s small, but it changes the whole room energy.
- Quick movement (Pilates, stretching, or a short walk if I have time).
- Healthy breakfast (nothing fancy, just something that won’t have me crashing mid-lecture).
- Brush teeth + shower (or a quick body shower if I’m short on time).
- Skincare (simple and consistent).
- Get dressed in something cute even if it’s just matching loungewear. It does something to my brain, I swear.
- Journal: 5–15 minutes.

My easy journal prompts:

- “Today would feel successful if…”
- “One thing I’m avoiding is…”
- “What do I need more of today: rest, movement, focus, connection?”

My “That Girl” evening routine (the calm-down checklist)

Nights used to be where my routine went to die. I’d say I was “resting” but really I was just doom-scrolling until my eyes hurt. So I built a wind-down that feels cozy and doable.

Evening flow:

- Everything shower when I can (hair, exfoliate, body care). If not, regular shower is still a win.
- Skincare routine (again: simple, repeatable).
- Cute pajamas (it’s a mental cue: we’re done for the day).
- Tea + decompress (or any warm drink).
- Mindful journaling or meditation (5 minutes counts).
- Brush teeth (non-negotiable, even on the laziest nights).
- Sleep goal: in bed early enough to actually get 6–8 hours.

If you’re trying to fix your sleep schedule, the biggest “soft” hack is: log off earlier. Not forever. Just earlier.

Meal prep that doesn’t ruin your Sunday

Meal prep used to feel like a full-time job. Now I do “prep light,” meaning I prep the parts that make weekdays easier.

My weekly prep list:

- Cook one grain (brown rice, quinoa, or whole wheat pasta).
- Wash and chop greens (spinach/mixed greens) so they’re ready to grab.
- Roast or steam one big tray of veggies (broccoli, carrots, onions, potatoes).
- Cook protein (chicken, ground chicken, salmon, lean beef—whatever fits your week).
- Stock quick add-ons: eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, tuna.
- Prep 2 “emergency snacks” so I don’t end up buying random stuff when I’m hungry.

My personal rule: if it takes more than 90 minutes total, I’m doing too much. The point is to make life easier, not punish myself with containers.

My healthy staples grocery list (simple, repeatable)

I keep a running list of staples so grocery shopping doesn’t become a dramatic event. These are the foods that make balanced meals easy.

Grains + carbs: oats, brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, wild rice, rice cakes.

Produce: apples, avocados, blueberries/raspberries, mixed greens, spinach, broccoli, carrots, onions, potatoes.

Protein + dairy: eggs, chicken breast/thigh, ground chicken, salmon, tuna, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, cheddar (in moderation), milk/creamer if you use it.

Nothing about this list is magical. It’s just foods that help me hit the basics: protein, fiber, and something fresh.

Breakfast ideas I rotate (because “eat better, not less”)

Breakfast is where I used to either skip… or eat something that made me hungry again in 45 minutes. Now I aim for protein + fat + fiber so I can actually focus in class.

Easy breakfast rotations:

- Boiled eggs + avocado + fruit.
- Greek yogurt + berries + chia pudding (or just chia mixed in).
- Rye bread/sourdough + cream cheese + egg + capers/dill (feels fancy, takes 5 minutes).
- Greens + egg scramble (add onions/spinach).
- Banana + peanut butter + yogurt on the side if I’m rushing.

And yes, sometimes breakfast is just “whatever I can manage.” The habit is showing up, not performing.

Movement plan: what “30–45 minutes” looks like on real days

I used to think workouts had to be intense to count. That mindset made me quit constantly. Now my goal is daily movement and strength/cardio a few times a week.

Options that count (pick one):

- Gym session (strength + a little cardio).
- Home workout (bodyweight, dumbbells, Pilates).
- 30-minute walk outside + 10-minute core.
- Dance workout when I’m unmotivated.
- Active recovery day: long walk + stretching.

One of the best tips I stole: when motivation is low, go on a walk. Walking keeps the habit alive and makes it easier to return to harder workouts later.

Study + library day: the “quiet mind” part of 75 Soft

For me, 75 Soft isn’t just fitness. It’s also about not feeling behind all the time. So I’m adding structure to school life too.

My weekly library day rules:

- Show up even if I don’t feel ready.
- Start with 30 minutes of key reading (the stuff I keep avoiding).
- Attend lectures and seminars (this is literally free points).
- Use a simple focus method: 25 minutes on, 5 minutes off, repeat.

The goal is to make studying feel less like panic and more like a routine.

Tracking without obsessing: progress pics, check-ins, and crossing off days

I’m doing weekly progress pictures and a weekly check-in because it helps me stay honest. I’m not using it to bully myself. I’m using it to notice patterns: sleep, stress, water intake, consistency.

Also, crossing off each day on a tracker is weirdly motivating. Something about seeing the chain build makes me want to protect it.

My “soft boundaries” for screen time, spending, and social life

This challenge is also about lifestyle, not just workouts. So I’m adding a few gentle boundaries that make everything else easier.

Screen time: no active scrolling for the first 30 minutes after waking up, and I try to log off earlier at night.

Spending: I’m not doing anything extreme, but I am trying the “pause before buying” habit—especially when I’m stressed.

Social life: alcohol only socially (or skip it). I’m not trying to isolate; I’m trying to be intentional.

If you want to start too… steal this exact template

If you’re overwhelmed, here’s a super simple version you can copy:

Daily: 30 minutes movement, 2–3L water, 5 pages reading, quick journal, steps goal.
Weekly: meal prep once, one focused study day, one self-care day, one progress check.

That’s it. No perfection required. Just a soft reset and a promise to show up again tomorrow. ✨🫧