Mornings and I have had a complicated relationship, but lately I’ve been trying a slower, cozier start. In this guide, I share my real vs. ideal routine, why slowing down matters, and 5 simple rituals—from warm drinks to creative sparks—that make every morning feel like a gentle side quest.

It’s been a busy few weeks, but I finally hit pause for the ultimate side quest — two nights of pure nostalgia seeing The All-American Rejects and the Jonas Brothers live. Between the music, the memories, and a few surprises along the way, it felt like reconnecting with my younger self in the best possible way. Sometimes joy really does sound like your favorite song from 2008.

There’s a kind of cozy chaos that comes with always starting new hobbies. My shelves and corners are filled with yarn, paints, notebooks, books, and controllers—each one representing a different side quest I’ve picked up along the way. Some projects are finished, others paused mid-way, but all of them remind me that creativity doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. Collecting hobbies has become its own kind of joy, a way of grounding myself through constant exploration.