I collect creative hobbies like Pokémon — always chasing the next spark. Feeling like you have too many tabs open? You don’t have to pick just one thing. With creative seasons, interest lanes, and gentle routines, you can explore multiple passions without burnout. Side quests still matter — not everything needs to be the main storyline.

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.

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.

Starting something new can feel slow, like staring at a loading screen, but progress is happening—even if it’s small. On One Big Side Quest, I’ve learned to celebrate tiny wins, track ideas, and find my rhythm despite work and algorithm pressures. Every small step adds up, from TikTok views to blog reads. Remember: growth doesn’t need to be fast to matter—slow progress is still progress.

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.