give me comfort and chaos in equal parts
Ever had one of those days where your to-do list looked like it was written by a supervillain? Oui, moi aussi. As much as I’d love to be the kind of mysterious, effortlessly cool girl who just “takes a bath with essential oils and forgets the world,” I’m more of a “give me comfort and chaos in equal parts” kind of gal. So here’s how I actually decompress after a long day of teaching, creating, overthinking (professionally), and probably misplacing my keys three times.
1. Scrolling Through My Pinterest Boards
It starts innocently. “Just one pin.”
Two hours later, I’ve mentally redecorated my entire apartment, planned a 12-step skincare routine I’ll never follow, and saved 38 outfits I’ll probably recreate using exactly none of the clothes I actually own.
Pinterest is basically my visual therapy session. C’est mon safe space. It’s like my brain, but prettier, calmer, and has way better lighting.
2. Reading a Book (Or Pretending To, Until My Phone Distracts Me)
There’s something magical about getting lost in a book… unless your brain insists on reading the same paragraph five times because it’s busy replaying an awkward moment from 2017. Still, I try.
Lorelai Gilmore once said, “I live in two worlds, one is a world of books.” Same, babe. Only difference is I sometimes fall asleep on mine.
3. Watching My Favorite Series or Movies
Some people watch new shows. I rewatch the same comfort series on an endless loop. There’s something healing about knowing exactly what’s going to happen — no plot twists, no betrayal, just me, my blanket, and dialogue I can quote better than my own résumé.
Whether it’s Stars Hollow, Dunder Mifflin, or a cozy Parisian rom-com, I’m there.
4. Listening to Music (a.k.a. My Main Character Moment)
You know when you walk home with your headphones in, it’s dark, and suddenly you’re in your own music video? Yeah. That.
Whether it’s moody French indie (bonjour, Angèle), early 2000s pop (hello, nostalgia), or Beyoncé reminding me I’m THAT girl — music heals. Sometimes it even inspires a spontaneous solo dance party in my kitchen. Which brings me to…
5. Dancing & Exercising (Sometimes Both, Sometimes Just Jumping Around Like a Muppet)
I don’t always feel like moving, but when I do, it’s basically therapy with a beat. There’s power in sweating out the stress — even if I look like a caffeinated flamingo trying to follow a YouTube workout.
Bonus points if I’m wearing cute leggings I only pretend are for yoga.
6. Writing in My Diary
Journaling is my sacred little ritual — where I spill all the tea to myself.
It’s part therapy, part confessional, part brain dump. No judgment, no filter, just vibes. Some pages are full of poetic reflection, others just say “WHY AM I LIKE THIS???” twenty times. Both are valid.
So voilà, that’s how I unwind. No fancy retreats or perfect routines — just little rituals that make me feel like me again. And if that involves watching a rom-com while journaling in activewear I didn’t actually exercise in?
C’est la vie.
Tell me — how do you unwind after a long day? And do any of your routines include 2am online shopping you’ll regret by sunrise? Asking for a friend (me).
RETRO CHIC REVIVAL 