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.

October has been the definition of cozy chaos — comfort reads, nostalgic shows, and a healthy dose of gaming mayhem. From If Cats Disappeared From the World to Waterpark Simulator, here’s everything I’ve been reading, watching, and playing this month.

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.

Discover the quiet power of small daily rituals—coffee, tea, reading, walks—and how they anchor us in a fast-moving world.

This week was busier than usual, but in the best way—full of thrift finds, family time, and slow moments at home. I’m sharing three little joys that made my summer week feel a bit sweeter and reminded me that happiness really lives in the in-between.