Title: The Witch
Author: Freida McFadden
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Genre: Thriller, mystery
Pages: 352
My Rating:

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The Witch

Julia Barlow has just lost her job and has nowhere to go, except for Pemberton, her family’s estate in Massachusetts, which belongs to her grandmother. She’s never been particulary fond of the place because she believes it might be haunted. When she was a child, she often heard strange noises throughout the house, leaving her convinced that something wasn’t quite right.

However, her grandmother isn’t doing well, so Julia decides to move in for a while. As she settles into life at Pemberton, she begins to uncovering more and more secrets about the estate, her family, and Caroline, the woman who once lived there. Three hundred years ago, Caroline was executed for witchcraft, and the more Julia learns about her story, the more questions she has.

But the mysteries surrounding Pemberton don’t end there. Julia soon discovers that not everyone is telling the truth, and there’s much more to her family’s history than she ever imagined.

Review

It is almost Halloween, and the days are getting colder and darker, which means it is the perfect time to pick up some spooky books and thrillers. And this was definitely one of them.

I love Freida McFadden’s books. They are so easy to read, the chapters are nice and short, and once you start reading it is very hard to put the book down. I discovered Freida about a year or two ago when I read her popular The Housemaid series, and I absolutely loved those books. I’ve also read another one of her novels, although that one wasn’t my favorite. But I think I liked the Witch.

This book definitely has a different vibe from The Housemaid. I would say it is much creepier, with haunted houses and hints of paranormal activity. But don’t worry if you are not a big horror fan. I wouldn’t say it gets particularly scary, and some things might not be quite what they seem. I am not the biggest fan of horror myself, and this book didn’t really scare me. Still, it had just enough spooky elements to make it perfect for the Halloween season, and I couldn’t stop reading it.

One thing I really loved was how the story follows both Julia in the present day and Caroline in the 17th century. While Julia uncovers more secrets about her family and Pemberton, we also get to follow Caroline’s story and discover what reeally happened to her. Why was she sentenced to death? Was she actually a witch? I have to admit that Caroline’s storyline was definitely the most interesting part of the book for me. I loved learning more about her past and seeing how her story connected to the mysteries Julia was uncovering.

As for the plot twists, I think I saw most of them coming. However, that didn’t really bother me, and I still enjoyed the reveals. Maybe I am a witch myself, or maybe the twists were simply a little predictable. Either way, I wasn’t as shocked by them as I was by the twists in The Housemaid. Those definitely caught me off guard more.

Overall, I thought this was a good book and a great choice for the spooky season. It has a different vibe from Freida McFadden’s other books, with a creepy atmosphere, family secrets, and a touch of the paranormal. Even though, I guess some of the twists, it was still an entertaining, and very bingeable read. If you are looking for a spooky thriller to curl up with this Halloween, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try.

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Ever since I got my first smartphone, I’ve spend a lot of time scrolling on my phone. Lately, though, I’ve been trying to break that habit and drastically reduce my screen time. Why? Because I want to spend my time in a better way. I want to focus on the things that genuinely matter to me and work towards the goals I want to achieve.

But when you start cutting back on doomscrolling, you quickly realize just how much time you’ve actually been spending on your phone. Suddenly, you have all this extra free time, and you might find yourself wondering what to do with it. After all, you don’t want to replace doomscrolling with boredome.

Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. I’ve put together a list of 50 things you can do instead of doomscrolling to help you spend your free time doing things you enjoy, discover new hobbies, and maybe even work towards some of your personal goals. Who knows? You might even find a new favorite activity.

50 Things You Can Do Instead Of Doomscrolling

1. Start learning a new language. Maybe try Spanish, Italian, or Korean.
2. Learn basic sign language. It is a useful skill to have.
3. Watch a documentary. Choose a true crime documentary, or explore something completely different.
4. Write a poem. It doesn’t matter what it’s about. Just let your creativity flow.
5. Write a story. Have you always wanted to write a book or a short story. This is the perfect time to start.
6. Play a board game. Get out Monopoly or another favorite board game and have some fun.
7. Read a book. Find something you enjoy and get lost in a good story for a few hours.
8. Learn a new recipe. You might discover a new favorite dish.
9. Make a scrapbook. Collect your favorite memories in one place. Add photos, concert tickets, and other little keepsakes.
10. Start journaling. Write down your thoughts and feelings. It can be especially helpful when you are going through a difficult time.
11. Paint something. No pressure, and no need to be perfect. Just enjoy the process.
12. Make a vision board. Put your dreams and goals on a board where you can see them every day.
13. Make friendship bracelets. Create a few bracelets and give them to your best friends.
14. Rearrange your bedroom. Sometimes, changing your surroundings is all you need to give your space a fresh vibe.
15. Write a letter to your future self. Reflect on your life right now and see how much you’ve grown when you read it in the future.
16. Solve a murder mystery. There are so many great murder mystery and puzzle books to choose from these days.
17. Make a new playlist. Create playlists for every mood, season, or situation.
18. Decorate for the season. Add a few seasonal decorations to give your home a different vibe.
19. Start a gratitude journal. Write down a few things you are grateful for each day. Practicing gratitude can help you appreciate the little things in life.
20. Create a bucket list. Write down all the things you want to experience, try, or achieve in your life.
21. Do something from your bucket list. Pick one thing you’ve always wanted to do and make it happen.
22. Make a wishlist. Add all the things you’d love to have, from books to cozy home decor.
23. Start a blog. Create your own little corner on the internet and write about the things you are passionate about.
24. Start a YouTube channel. Film your everyday life, share advice, or create videos about something you love.
25. Start a TikTok or Instagram account. Make short-form content just for fun and see where your creativity takes you.
26.  Go book shopping. Browse a bookstore or secondhand bookshop and look for your next great read.
27.  Go thrift shopping. You never know what treasures you will find, and that’s part of the fun.
28. Plan your next trip. Explore a new city or even a different country. You don’t have to book anything yet; just enjoy planning.
29. Color something. There are so many cute coloring books these days. Find one you love and spend some time coloring.
30. Make a cozy drink. Prepare some hot chocolate, tea, or your favorite drink and enjoy it without distractions.
31.  Go for a slow walk. Get some fresh air, enjoy your surroundings, and maybe even say hello to the neighborhood cats.
32.  Do a workout. Get moving, break a sweat, and work on building your strenght.
33.  Stretch for a few minutes. Especially if you’ve been sitting for a long time, your body will thank you.
34.  Water your plants. Your little green friends need some attention too.
35.  Clean your house or bedroom. Give your space a deep clean. There is something so satisfying about relaxing in a clean room.
36.  Sit down and daydream. Let your mind wander and imagine the life you want to create.
37.  Play a video game. Play with friends or enjoy some solo gaming time.
38.  Watch a movie. Pick something new or rewatch an old favorite and enjoy the experience.
39. Start watching a new TV show. Find a series that sounds interesting and watch the first episode.
40. Talk to a friend. Call your best friend, catch up, or make plans to meet in person.
41. Organize your bookshelf. Arrange your books by color, alphabetically, or by genre.
42. Listen to an entire album without doing anything else. Put on your favorite album, put your phone away, and enjoy the music.
43. Do a jigsaw puzzle. Challenge yourself to compete a 1000-piece puzzle. How quickly can you finish it?
44.  Play chess. Challenge a friend to a game or learn how to play if you are a beginner.
45.  Solve a crossword or Sudoku puzzle. Give your brain a little workout while taking a break from screens.
46.  Play cards with someone. Add some snacks and drinks, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a fun afternoon.
47.  Learn a dance just for fun. Find a TikTok dance or a dance tutorial on YouTube and enjoy yourself. No need to get every move right.
48.  Bake something delicious. Try a new cookie recipe, make a cake, or bake your favorite comfort food.
49. Visit your local library. Browse the shelves, discover new books, and enjoy some quiet time.
50. Do absolutely nothing. Lie on the couch, look out the window, or simply enjoy a moment of peace without feeling the need to be productive.

Photo by Vlada Karpovich

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Title: Love of Your Life
Actors: Margaret Qually, Gabriel Basso
Director: Rachel Morrison
Writer: Julia Cox
Genre: Drama
Length: 1 hour and 49 minutes
My Rating:

Watch this movie on Prime Video

Love of Your Life

Maya is a nurse and one day she meets Charlie. Slowly they fall in love, move in together and get married. Charlie is the love of Maya’s life. Then suddenly everything changes because COVID-19 pandemic is happening. Maya is a nurse so she is working long days, and they also have to be careful because Charlie has asthma. But unfortunately Charlie passes away. And even before the funeral, Maya runs away from her life and goes to Portugal. And now she is figuring out how to deal with the grief and how to move forward.

Review

I think I came across the trailler or a snippet of this movie somewhere on social media, and it looked pretty cute, beautiful, and heartbreaking all at once. Naturally, I had high expectations going into it.

Let’s start with the beginning. The first half hour is all about Maya and Charlie meeting, falling in love, getting married, and building a life together. I loved this part! Their relationship wasn’t perfect, but it was clear that they genuinely loved each other. It was sweet to watch their love story unfold, and I found myself getting invested in their relationship.

Then Charlie gets COVID, and everything changes. Because he has asthma, the situation is especially worrying, and unfortunately, he doesn’t survive. The next thing we see is Maya in Portugal. At first, I thought she was simply taking a break from life and going on the trip she and Charlie had planned together. However, it quickly becomes clear that she has moved there and is trying to start over.

You can immediately tell that Maya is struggling. The happy, carefree woman we saw at the beginning is gone, and it’s heartbreaking to see how much she has changed after losing the love of her life.

As I mentioned, I really enjoyed the first part of the movie. It was cute, and engaging. The pacing was also quite fast, as we got to see their entire love story unfold in roughtly 30 minutes. However, once Maya arrives in Portugal, the pace changes completely. Everything becomes much slower, and honestly, it was too slow for my liking. I generally prefer movies with a faster pace, so this was where I started losing interest.

Honestly, I don’t think there was anything inherently wrong with the movie. The characters were great, the acting was good, and the story was genuinely sad. However, the slow pacing made it difficult for me to stay engaged. I lost that connection and found myself wanting to scroll on my phone instead. It felt like not much was happening, even though the cinematography and scenery were beautiful.

Unfortunately, the slow pacing ended up ruining the movie for me. I wanted to love it, especially because the story had so much potential, but it just didn’t hold my attention.

Of course, this is entirely a personal preference. Some people absolutely love slow-paced movies, and after checking IMDb, I noticed that the opinions on this one seem to be quite mixed. Some viewers loved it, while others struggled with the pacing, just like me.

So, if you enjoy slower, more emotional movies that focuses on grief, healing, and finding yourself again, this might be worth watching. I could still appreciate the good aspects of the movie, even though this movie wasn’t it for me.

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Title: How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates
Author: Shailee Thompson
Publisher: Gallery Books
Genre: Slasher Rom-com
Pages: 368
My Rating:

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How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates

Review

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Title: Big Bad Wolf
Author: Laurie Gilmore
Publisher: HarperCollins
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 384
My Rating:

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Big Bad Wolf

Ruby lives with her sister, Lena, in Maple Hollow. One night, on her way home, she is almost attacked by a wolf. But another wolf saves her life and gets hurt in the fight. Ruby decides to help the injured wolf.

The next day, the wolf is gone, but suddenly, Rafe appears. That’s how Ruby finds out that Rafe is a werewolf. Rafe feels the need to protect Ruby because he believes this won’t be the last attack.

Other wolves are after Lena because she has visions. But Lena’s visions are getting worse, and they are starting to affect her entire life. They need to find help or at least some answers so Lena isn’t exhausted all the time.

Review

I was so excited to read this book. I’m a big fan of the whole Dream Harbor book series by Laurie Gilmore, so I thought this was a completely new book series. But that’s not the case. This book was actually published before under a different title and author name. Just a little warning in case you want to read this book too. Luckily for me, I had never read the original.

The story started off somewhat interesting. Ruby finds out that Rafe is a werewolf, but she’s still interested in him. They have a connection, and I was curious to see where their relationship would go. Lena also has visions, but they’re getting worse. They have to help her and somehow make it easier for Lena to control these visions.

The first half of the book was sort of promising. But then we never got any answers about Lena’s visions or how to fix them. Nope, because the book ended with a major cliffhanger.

At the same time, I really didn’t like Rafe because he was annoying. One moment he was kissing Ruby, and then the next moment, he had to stay away from her because he wasn’t good enough for her. He was too dangerous. I once met a guy who was exactly like this, and it was exhausting. So, every time this happens in books, I get annoyed. I honestly couldn’t care less about Rafe.

Ruby was okay. At first, I was waiting for the Little Red Riding Hood reference. The cover makes it pretty clear that the story is somehow based on the fairy tale. Eventually, she started wearing this red cloak, so there it was.

Lena was another character, and she’s an adult, but somehow she needed a babysitter. I found that a little strange. I understand that she needed someone to take care of her, but calling that person a babysitter felt a bit weird to me.

Overall, I was clearly disappointed. It felt like nothing actually happened in this book. We never got any answers about Lena, and instead, we got a cliffhanger. It feels like this book was just an introduction to the story, but in this case, it was a 400-page introduction, which is crazy.

I wasn’t a fan, and I’m not even sure if I want to read the next book.

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I’ve been trying to reduce my screen time, but it’s not always easy. Especially on the weekends, when I have a lot of free time, I’m always getting the urge to scroll on my phone for hours, and honestly, I often give in. Which is exactly what I don’t want.

So, I started thinking about how I actually want to spend my weekends instead, and I sort of came up with the perfect no-doomscroll weekend plan. And in case you’re also struggling with reducing your screen time, I decided to share my perfect no-doomscroll weekend with you.

The Ultimate No-doom scroll Weekend

Slow mornings

I love a good slow start to my weekend. On weekdays, we get up, follow our morning routine, and work through our to-do lists. But on the weekends, I prefer a completely different routine and pace. Imagine waking up slowly and spending a little extra time in bed. Then, getting up, making your favorite breakfast, and actually taking the time to enjoy it. Maybe you’ll read a few chapters of the book you’re currently reading. Just really enjoy the peaceful and quiet morning without feeling like you have to rush anywhere. Eventually, I’ll start getting ready for the day, but there’s no need to rush. I just want to enjoy those slow weekend mornings and give myself some time to relax before the day really begins.

Walk

Then, once I’m ready for the day and wearing my favorite comfortable outfit, I’d go out for a morning walk. Just getting some fresh air without rushing. I’d slowly walk through the neighborhood or nature and take my time. And, of course, I’d make some time to pet all the cats I see along the way. I prefer to walk in silence, but if listening to podcasts or music is your thing, then do that. I’d rather just look around me and observe what’s happening. I love people-watching and seeing what everyone else is doing with their weekends. I also prefer to leave my phone at home when I go for a walk. It makes it so much easier to be present and actually enjoy my surroundings without feeling the urge to check my phone every few minutes.

Thrift store or Book Store

Then I would become a little bit more active, but still keep things very relaxing and chill. I love going to thrift stores and bookstores because I always feel at peace when I’m there. I can just browse around without feeling like I have to buy anything. At the bookstore, I would look at all the beautiful book covers and search for new books to add to my TBR. At the thrift store, I always check out the physical media section, which is also a great replacement for scrolling on your phone. Maybe I’ll find a fun movie on DVD or a good book that I can read someday. There’s something really nice about taking your time and browsing without having a specific goal in mind.

Movie Night

I love watching movies, so a movie night is a must. Maybe I’ll watch an older movie from my own DVD collection or a new one on a streaming service. First, I’ll make sure I have enough snacks and drinks so I don’t have to get up from the couch during the movie. My phone will be in a different room because I definitely don’t want to be scrolling on my phone while I’m trying to watch a movie. Without my phone next to me, I can truly focus on and enjoy the movie without any distractions.

Baking

What is better than buying cookies from the supermarket? Making them yourself and eating them while they’re still warm and gooey. It’s such a fun and enjoyable activity, and it will definitely distract you from reaching for your phone. So, basically, it’s a win-win situation because you’re not doomscrolling, and you also end up with delicious cookies or whatever else you’re baking. Plus, your whole house will smell amazing—unless you burn everything, of course.

Cozy activities

And there are so many things you can do during an offline weekend. There are so many cozy hobbies that don’t require your phone. Puzzle books like Murdoku are a big hit these days, and I really enjoy doing them. There are also cute coloring books, board games, and 1,000+ piece puzzles. Or maybe you could simply do some more reading. And you can definitely invite your friends over for a cozy afternoon without your phones. Play some board games, bake something together, or just sit around and talk. Honestly, that sounds like the perfect afternoon to me.

Self-care & Self Love

And, of course, when you’re not scrolling, you’re saving a lot of time. That means you finally have time to start journaling, get some extra sleep, or maybe take a nice hot bath. Put on a face mask, paint your nails, or make some fun plans for the upcoming week.

There are so many little things you can do with that extra time, and they can make your weekend feel so much more relaxing and enjoyable.

Photo:  Cup of Couple

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Watch The Love Hypothesis on Prime Video

The Love Hypothesis

Olive’s best friend, Anh, is refusing to go on a date with Jeremy because Olive has a crush on him. But Olive wants Anh to be happy, so she tells her that she is already dating someone else and is completely over Jeremy. Of course, that’s a lie.

One night, Olive is supposed to be on a date with her new boyfriend, but Anh happens to be in the same lab building that night. Olive panics and kisses the first guy she sees, who happens to be Adam Carlsen, also known as Dr. Evil.

Then Adam proposes a deal: he’ll pretend to be her boyfriend. This way, Olive can show Anh that she is over Jeremy, while Adam can show the faculty that he is in a relationship and hopefully get the grant for his project.

Review

I read the book years ago, when it first came out. So, I still remember most of the story, but not all the details. I do remember that I loved this book. I thought it was cute. So, when they announced the movie, I was so excited. And last weekend, it was finally time to watch it.

I was kind of scared, if I’m being honest. Usually, when I watch a show or movie based on a book, I end up disappointed. I always think the book is way better. And yes, in this case, I also think the book is still better, but I also loved the movie.

The characters are both great, but they’re complete opposites. Olive is pure sunshine, while Adam is definitely not sunshine. Everyone else calls him Dr. Evil, and all of the students are scared of him. But together, they are just perfect. You can definitely tell that they bring out the best in each other. Adam becomes nicer to his students, while Olive starts opening up to other people and putting herself out there.

The story is still fun and cute. I love how awkward their relationship was in the beginning. It was so awkward and cringey to watch, but in a good way. It actually made me laugh because of how awkward it was. I really enjoyed it, especially the sunscreen scene. It was so awkward, but it also made the whole fake-dating situation feel more realistic. I mean, obviously it’s going to be awkward when you’re pretending to be in a relationship!

Seriously, the two hours flew by like it was nothing. I absolutely enjoyed every single moment of this movie. Well, there was one certain guy who deserved a punch or two. That part made me so sad, but I’m happy Olive stood up for herself. Adam did too when he found out what happened. That made for a very satisfying ending to the movie.

Overall, I had high expectations because of the book, and I was kind of scared that the movie would disappoint me. But that was totally unnecessary because the movie was so enjoyable and fun. It’s another great rom-com that was released this year, alongside Voicemails to Isabelle and One Night Only.

I have a feeling that rom-coms are finally making a comeback after years of mediocre rom-com movies, and I am absolutely here for it.

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Title: A Witch in Notting Hill
Author: Alexandra Paige
Publisher: Avon a
Genre: Romance
Pages: 352
My Rating:

Buy this book on Amazon

A Witch in Notting Hill

Review

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, so I went in pretty blind. The title sounded very fun, and the cover had so many fall vibes, which was exactly what I was looking for.

Honestly, I had a lot of fun reading this book. Willow is a famous actress, but she’s also a witch, and she accidentally turns her manager into a cat. So, Willow takes a break from acting and everything else to fix her mistake. In London, she meets Oliver, the owner of an occult bookstore. He doesn’t believe in witchy things at all, but he can’t deny that strange things seem to happen whenever Willow is around.

I liked all of the characters, not just Willow and Oliver. Oliver’s best friends were great too, and they loved helping Willow reverse the spell. There was a lot of chemistry between the two main characters, and it was honestly kind of cute. They spend a lot of time together, and I loved watching their relationship develop. She’s a witch, he’s a non-believer, and he’s a little grumpy. Of course, I was rooting for them to get together, but I was also rooting for Willow to successfully reverse the spell.

This story had the perfect witchy and fall vibes, and I loved it. These are exactly the kind of books I like: just a cute romance novel with cozy vibes. It was such a fun read. And it definitely reminded me of the movie Notting Hill. It has some of the same elements—she’s famous, he owns a bookstore, and they fall in love—but this book adds some extra witchy vibes to the story.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was charming, cozy, and such a fun romance read. It’s the perfect book to read this fall if you also love witchy vibes. I enjoyed it so much that it kind of made me wish I were a witch too. I mean, it sounds pretty cool if you can use spells to fix anything!

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Title: Barbie: Dreamscape
Author: Alex Aster
Publisher: Mattel Press
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 304
My Rating:

Buy this book on Amazon

Barbie Dreamscape

Barbie lives in Heartland and is basically the perfect student. During graduation, you get to hear your fate, meaning you find out what kind of job or future you’re going to have. But when it’s Barbie’s turn, nothing happens. She is fateless.

Of course, she isn’t happy about this. She is the only one without a job or a clear future. So, she decides to find the Fates and maybe convince them to change their minds. She goes on a long, crazy, fun, and sometimes dangerous adventure. Along the way, she slowly discovers more and more about her mom and, ultimately, herself.

Review

I saw this book suddenly everywhere on social media, and it piqued my interest. I mean, the cover is absolutely stunning, and I thought I would make my inner child happy and read this book. I had absolutely no idea what to expect.

Honestly, I didn’t hate the story. I mean, it’s not the best story I’ve ever read. It’s just okay, but I still had a lot of fun reading it. My inner child was definitely happy while reading this book. I played with a lot of Barbies growing up, so reading about Barbie was pretty cool.

After Barbie finds out that she is fateless, she goes through a lot and decides to go on an adventure. She has to get to Dreamland, but to get there, she has to travel through several other lands first. And they are all crazy, fun, and interesting. A lot of interesting things happen along the way.

Barbie doesn’t have a lot of personality at first, since she basically only wears pink because her mother loved the color. But I think this adventure was really good for her. She finally gets to know herself and discovers the truth about her mom and herself.

I also thought there were a couple of beautiful messages in this book, such as there is light in the darkness and you are never too old to play. But my favorite one was: rock bottom is a pretty solid place to start a new life. It shows that life isn’t perfect, but just because you’re feeling bad right now doesn’t mean it has to stay that way forever.

But I also want to say that, even though this book was marketed as Young Adult, I would say it’s more of a book written for younger teens. The writing style wasn’t my favorite. It didn’t bother me that much, but it might be a dealbreaker for you.

Overall, I still enjoyed reading this book. I thought it was a fun and magical read, and I flew through it pretty quickly.

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I think fall is the perfect time to reflect and see if there’s anything you want to change in your life. I did that recently, and I realized one thing: I’m always rushing. I’m never really slowing down, not even on the weekends. And I think it’s time to change that.

I think it’s time to slow down this fall and create a healthier, more balanced lifestyle for myself. In this blog post, I’m sharing the ways I’m slowing down this fall.

Ways I am slowing down

1. Spending more evenings at home

Honestly, I’m the kind of person who already enjoys being at home, but I want to be more intentional about it. I want to make my home feel extra cozy. I’m adding some pillows, blankets, and candles, and then I can simply sit down and read a book or two. I’m not staying home just to watch movies or TV shows all day. Instead, I’m creating a safe and cozy space where I can relax after a long day or a busy week.

Sometimes, I’m the kind of person who feels like she has to be productive all the time. But there needs to be balance in your life. So, I’m basically forcing myself to slow down and give myself permission to relax without feeling guilty about it.

2. Taking my time in the mornings

They always say that the way you start your day sets the tone for the rest of the day. I know a lot of people will recognize this when I say that everything seems to go wrong when you have to rush through your morning. So, instead of rushing through my morning routine, I’m going to do things completely differently this fall.

I’m actually going to slow down and take the time to enjoy a cup of tea in the morning. And instead of looking at any screens, I’m just going to sit down and maybe read a chapter or two of my book. I’m also going to take a few minutes to do some breathing exercises and meditate. I want to start my days feeling calm and relaxed instead of immediately feeling like I have to rush into everything.

3. Going on more walks

It’s something I’ve been doing for the last two months now, and it feels great to start my mornings with a morning walk. It’s so relaxing, and it’s nice to get some fresh air after sleeping for a couple of hours. It helps you slow down, and it’s also beautiful to notice all the little things around you before the rest of the neighborhood wakes up.

And I love walking during the fall because it’s not too hot but also not too cold. Sure, it might rain, but raincoats and umbrellas exist for a reason.

4. Cooking more slowly and simply

One thing I always do is not take enough time for my meals. I just throw something together and then eat so quickly that I finish the whole meal before you can even blink. It’s not healthy, and it’s not very enjoyable either. I don’t hate cooking—in fact, I kind of love it—but for some reason, I’m always rushing.

I want to be more mindful when I’m making my meals and maybe even try some new recipes. I want to enjoy the whole process instead of thinking of cooking as just another task I need to get through. I want to slow down, actually enjoy preparing my food, and take the time to sit down and enjoy my meals too.

5. Reading instead of scrolling

Doomscrolling is something I’m very familiar with, and I hate it. It’s so interesting how I keep scrolling when I would much rather read a book instead. It’s just so addictive. But I’m trying to break that habit, and instead, I want to have more time for myself and slow down.

Seriously, when you stop scrolling on your phone, you’ll realize how much time you actually have. You’ve just been wasting so much of it on your phone. I don’t hate social media, but you need to be more mindful of how you use it before it starts using you.

6. Leaving more space in my calendar

My workdays are always planned out until I basically go to bed, and even on the weekends, I constantly make plans. Every Saturday, I make sure I have something to do, and honestly, I don’t remember the last time I just stayed home on a Saturday. I want to do that more often.

Maybe I’ll go outside for a walk, then come home, make myself a cup of tea, and read for a little while. I don’t always have to be somewhere or do something. I want to make more time to do nothing, simply relax, and slow down.

7. Paying more attention to the little things

Maybe you can relate to this, but when you’re always busy and rushing through your days, you miss a lot of beautiful moments. I’ve had days when I was doing nothing, and suddenly, I started noticing all those little beautiful things around me. I also started to enjoy the present moment a little more.

It’s kind of sad when I think about it. I was always rushing around and so focused on getting things done that I missed so many of those beautiful little moments that make life amazing.

Foto door Şeyda Efe

The post Ways I Am Slowing Down This Fall first appeared on Bettie Toon.

<p>The post Ways I Am Slowing Down This Fall first appeared on Bettie Toon.</p>