Side Quests

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.

Junk journaling is my favorite creative ritual—a cozy blend of memory keeping, sustainability, and play. Using scraps, ephemera, and everyday “trash,” I turn simple moments into meaningful keepsakes. Here’s why I love junk journaling and how it helps me slow down, create without rules, and see beauty in the little things.

A surprise Jonas Brothers DVD and tour book from the thrift store brought unexpected joy and a wave of nostalgia. In this post, I share how these simple secondhand finds sparked happiness, strengthened family bonds, and reminded me why the little things—especially Jonas-shaped—matter most.

On Friday, I visited Epic Universe for the first time—and two days later, I’m still thinking about it. From dragon rides to surprise mist fans, it was a whirlwind of heat, chaos, and magic. I didn’t have an annual pass or a plan, just a birthday gift card and curiosity. Here’s what stood out, what I’d do differently, and why this first visit really lived up to its name.

A quiet Saturday turned whimsical thrift adventure. Come meet the vintage Avon geese measuring spoons I didn’t mean to bring home—but totally did.

What started as a small porch garden turned into one of the most grounding parts of my summer. With every sprout came unexpected lessons—in patience, presence, and quiet growth. These four takeaways from my little flower pots have reminded me that even when progress is slow or unseen, it doesn’t mean it’s not happening.