Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Cottagecore is a nostalgic aesthetic that embraces countryside living, nature, and old fashioned styles and hobbies. When I think of cottagecore I picture Anne of Green Gables sipping raspberry cordial, gingham dresses, and picnicking in a field of flowers.

If you’re wondering how to embrace cottagecore this spring, look no further than trying a new cottagecore-inspired hobby! These spring hobby ideas can help you embrace nature, romanticize country living, and embrace the simple life (not the Paris Hilton version).

This post shares my favorite spring cottagecore hobbies to help you fully enjoy the spring season!

11 Spring Cottagecore Hobbies to Try

Let’s get into the spirit of spring with these hobby ideas!

Under each hobby I share more thoughts and ideas to help you get started. There may be affiliate links to related products if relevant. These are to help you easily get into these spring cottagecore hobbies.

However, you can also enjoy these hobbies on your own, most of them without purchasing anything at all. Enjoy!

1. Try baking or cooking

What’s more cottagecore than baking your own loaf of bread or making your own jam? The cottagecore lifestyle is all about getting back to basics. The perfect spring hobby to help you embrace the cottagecore aesthetic is baking or enjoying more home cooked meals! You could even look for locally grown ingredients or grow your own in a garden.

If you love the Anne of Green Gables series, you can try recipes from the Anne of Green Gables Cookbook! Or join me on YouTube as I try making my own jam.

Whether you’re interest in trying to bake bread or explore other cottagecore inspired recipes, this hobby is perfect for spring. So throw open the windows, enjoy a delicious meal or treat, and savor the smells of home cooking.

2. Read cottagecore books set in spring

There are so many great cottagecore books for spring. Reading is the best way to fully embrace the magic of cottagecore. You can transport yourself into cottage living with just the turn of a page!

To make this hobby even more charming, you can enjoy reading while enjoying a picnic at the park or in a homey reading nook.

I’ve suggested my top cottagecore spring books below! Whether you’re looking for a nostalgic read, a modern take on cottagecore, or a cozy memoir, you’ll be sure to find a spring read to put you in a cottagecore mood.

3. Craft with flowers

A key aspect of the cottagecore aesthetic is flowers and traditional crafts. So crafting with flowers is a charming way to try a new hobby for spring that embodies cottagecore.

Try your hand at flower pressing, flower arrangements, or other floral crafts!

Here are some cottagecore flower craft ideas:

• Make potpourri, a natural air freshener made from flower petals and other ingredients
• Learn flower arranging to create flowers for displaying or gifting
• Press your favorite flowers (try it in a book or journal!)
• Build a Lego botanicals set
• Craft paper flowers for an allergy free floral craft
• Create daisy chains or flower crowns

4. Plant a garden

If you’d rather grow than craft, planting a garden is the ideal spring cottagecore hobby for you! You might be wondering what are the most cottagecore flowers? Think pastel colors and classic flowers like lavender and peonies, as suggested by this guide to cottage garden flowers.

You can also check out these essential tips for creating a cottagecore garden. I love the idea to add climbing vines for more whimsy among other plants and flowers. And don’t forget you can always focus on attracting butterflies in your cottagecore garden too!

5. Illustrate with spring coloring books

Art and drawing is a great way to enjoy a cottagecore aesthetic. And there are so many great coloring books for spring and with cottagecore vibes!

I’ve been enjoying gardening themed coloring books as the last days of winter linger on to get me in the mood for spring. Coloring is also the perfect rainy day spring hobby when you can’t get outside but still want to enjoy nature.

Check out some of my spring & cottagecore coloring book recommendations below!

6. Go on nature walks & picnics

If you asked me before writing this list of cottagecore hobbies if picnicking was a hobby, I might have given a different answer. But going on a picnic to enjoy fresh air, listen to birds, and take in nature is one of my favorite ways to enjoy spring! If there’s something you enjoy doing, whether you try it once or do it regularly, I say it absolutely counts as a hobby!

Cottagecore is inspired by nature & the outdoors. Taking nature walks or planning a picnic (solo or with friends) are both delightful outdoor hobbies for spring!

7. Learn a new instrument

I love music to boost my mood or to transport me to another time or place. Learning an instrument will help you romanticize spring while learning a new skill!

If your interest in cottagecore stems from Taylor Swift’s Folklore album, you might enjoy piano or guitar. If you’re looking for a simple aesthetic instrument to pick up, try the ukulele. (This is what I play and with just four strings, it’s easy to pick up and start playing your first songs with little practice!)

You could also try more vintage inspired instruments like the ocarina or banjo!

8. Play cottagecore inspired cozy games

You didn’t think I would forget my favorite hobby from this cottagecore hobby list, did you? There is a video game for everything and SO many adorable cozy games with a spring or cottagecore aesthetic!

Of course, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the perfect game to fully embrace the cottagecore aesthetic! You can decorate your island with quaint cottagecore ACNH items. And don’t forget to invite cottagecore ACNH villagers to add some charm to your island! (Pro tip: I like to look up what their house exterior and interior will look like to see if it will be a good fit.)

But there are so many other great cottagecore cozy games perfect for spring! I share some of my recommendations below (and make sure to pin these game recommendations so you remember to play your favorites!)

9. Start a nature or birdwatching journal

If you are looking for a cottagecore hobby that is creative AND can give you a good reason for taking outdoor adventures, try nature journaling! You don’t have to be a pro at journaling – just thrift or find a notebook of your choice to get started.

Here are some ideas for a nature or birdwatching journal:

• Try bullet journaling about a hiking trip
• Include photos in your nature journal
• Start simply by documenting what you see
• Write or sketch seasonal changes as winter changes to spring
• Add poetry or quotes to your journal
• Create a “perpetual nature journal” you can come back to each year as the seasons change

Even if you don’t feel artistically inclined, this outdoor spring hobby is a great excuse to enjoy nature. And you don’t have to show your journal to anyone! Just have fun and be creative.

10. Complete cottagecore themed puzzles

You might want a spring cottagecore hobby that is indoors and hands on in a different way than getting your hands dirt covered in a garden. If so, you will enjoy getting inspired with cottagecore puzzles!

You can still enjoy all the aesthetic of cottagecore with a puzzle. Think floral scenes, open windows in spring, and biking through a meadow. You could visit thrift stores to find a cottagecore inspired puzzle or shop on Amazon. Either way, building puzzles is the perfect spring hobby to embrace nature from the comfort of your own home.

11. Embroider clothes or decorations

Cottagecore is a beautiful aesthetic, but it’s also meant to be practical! Take up embroidery as a new hobby to embrace the slow living and handmade aspects of cottagecore.

You can embellish your clothes with embroidered designs, or use embroidery to fix holes in your garments. You could also experiment with a cottagecore embroidery kit to create a rustic decoration for your home!

Hopefully you now have one or more spring cottagecore hobbies on your list to try! Spring is such a beautiful season perfect for enjoying the outdoors or getting crafty inside. Whether you choose to try and indoor or outdoor cottagecore hobby, let yourself take in the magic of the season and romanticize your spring.

If you have a favorite hobby from this list or tried one of these spring hobby ideas, please leave a comment below! I’d love to hear!

This post was all about spring cottagecore hobbies to try this season!

The post 11 Charming Spring Cottagecore Hobbies to Try This Season appeared first on The Honey Side.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Valentine’s Day was easy growing up. Just make or buy Valentine’s for your class (and include candy if you’re lucky.) No parties to plan or dates to prepare for. As an adult, Valentine’s Day (and everything else) can take a little more thought and planning.

But with this list of 14 Valentine’s Day activities to help you plan your February 14th, all you have to focus on is finding the perfect outfit. Add more love and creativity into your Valentine’s plans with one of these cute activities. You can adapt most of the items on the list whether you’re spending Valentine’s Day solo, with friends, or on a date!

So if you are the creative type looking for a craft for Valentine’s Day or want something more low key like a cozy movie night, you’ll find an idea here to help you embrace this heart themed holiday!

This post is all about Valentine’s Day activities for adults to enjoy to bring fun, connection, and a little extra love into your day.

Heartfelt Valentine’s Day Activities for Adults

Get creative planning your February 14th this year with these ideas for cozy and creative Valentine’s Day activities for adults. Where relevant, you will also find my curated Valentine’s Day shopping guides on Amazon. These are created with love so that you can plan a meaningful Valentine’s Day date, party, or solo evening.

1. Send a handwritten Valentine’s Day card

It was so much fun giving out Valentine’s growing up. Writing a handwritten letter or card is like the adult version of sharing Valentine’s!

When is the last time you sent something in the mail to a friend or partner? We are so connected to our phones and technology that it’s nice to get something physical and meaningful.

Now, how do you write cute Valentine’s Day cards? It’s the message that counts so you can always use plain paper and envelopes! Personally, I love thrifting cute cards and envelopes for holidays. You can also find Valentine’s cards and letter writing supplies on Amazon as well if you prefer.

2. Try Valentine’s themed coloring

Coloring is such an underrated activity for adults. What makes this cozy activity perfect for Valentine’s Day is the number of Valentine’s themed coloring books you can find! There’s also something so satisfying for the holiday about filling in a page with pink and red colors and seeing it come to life.

I’ve already been getting in the Valentine’s Day mood and have been enjoying the adorable Cozy Coquette Valentine Coloring Book I found on Amazon! I love the coquette aesthetic and find the bold and easy Valentine’s illustrations so peaceful and romantic to color in.

3. Build a Valentine Lego set

Who needs store bought flowers when you can build your own? There are so many amazing Lego sets for Valentine’s Day. From flower bouquets to roses and more, there’s nothing cuter than building a love themed Lego set on February 14th.

Building a Valentine Lego set would be a cute date idea that leaves you with a keepsake to remember the evening by. But if you’re spending Valentine’s day with friends or on your own, it’s still a great way to get creative while enjoying the holiday.

4. Have a romantic comedy movie marathon

Rom coms are MADE for Valentine’s Day. My favorite romantic comedy Obvious Child with Jenny Slate actually takes place on Valentine’s Day (with a twist).

If you want to snuggle up with a pet or partner, have a romantic comedy movie marathon is a great way to spend your Valentine’s Day. I’ve included some suggestions below if you’re looking for the perfect rom com.

5. Do a tarot card reading for love and relationships

Tarot cards and oracle decks are great for deepening your connection with yourself and others. I love using tarot, not to “tell the future” but to get a feel for messages I need to hear in the moment.

Doing a reading about your love life or relationships is one of the best Valentine’s Day activities for adults to deepen your understanding of your connections.

Here are some resources for you if you want to do a Valentine’s Day tarot reading:

• The Best Valentine’s Day Tarot Spreads for Singles, Couples, and More from Writual Planner
• The Tarot of Love – Liminal 11 (I love the heart opener 3 card spread!)
• Relationship Questions for Tarot – Enter Moonlight (these are great questions to help guide your tarot reading)
• Valentine’s Themed Tarot Spread About Love – Sam The Cosmic Witch
• Valentine’s Day Tarot & Oracle Decks – Amazon

Now if you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day tarot deck, I think this Kawaii tarot deck is super cute. Not just because it’s pink but because the suit of wands is all sticks of candy! But I have other recommendations for Valentine tarot and oracle decks as well.

6. Get cozy and read about love and relationships

Relationships thrive when given care and intention. This includes with partners, friends, and yes, with yourself. The obvious choice is to dive into a good romance novel on Valentine’s Day. But you can also take the opportunity to read about your love languages, attachment style, or communication in relationships.

Valentine’s Day would be a great opportunity to get to know your love languages. Not the “typical” 5 love languages you may have heard or read about. One of my favorite books and resources for relationships is Speaking From The Heart: 18 Languages for Modern Love. (I have the e-book!) This book helped me realize that love languages are also for platonic relationships, and that one of my most valued love languages is accountability.

Of course, there are lots of books to cuddle up with this Valentine’s Day to get in the spirit of love and connection. If you’re going to spend February 14th reading, I hope you find a book that helps you embrace love and wholeheartedness.

7. Adopt a new pet (or give some love to your current one)

Adopting a pet is one of the CUTEST Valentine’s Day activities for adults! What better celebration of love than to give a forever home to an animal in a shelter?

I love this article about reasons to adopt a pet on Valentine’s Day. The notes about how a pet can help you overcome your commitment issues and become less self centered are hard to argue with if you’re single on Valentine’s Day!

Of course, if you’re not ready to commit to taking home a new animal, you can always symbolically adopt an animal (and protect endangered species) through the World Wildlife Fund. The WWF has Valentine’s themed symbolic animal adoptions. You can even get a cute plush depending on the package you choose!

And if you want your Valentine’s Day to be all about your pet or pets already at home, you can get them a Valentine’s themed treat or toy to spoil them! I’ve linked to my favorite Valentine’s items for cats and dogs below. Sadly as a cat parent, dogs have way more Valentine’s treats and toys to choose from! Does this mean I should go into business creating holiday toys for our feline friends?

8. Connect with a deep conversation

Did you know having more meaningful conversations can improve your wellbeing? Whether you’re attending a Galentines (or Palentines) event or going on a date, try having deep conversations this Valentine’s Day.

We all crave connection, but it can be scary and feel vulnerable to connect on a deeper level. That’s why I enjoy conversation starter cards and games. They take the pressure off coming up with the perfect questions to spark conversation and make meaningful conversations feel natural and fun.

My favorite are the Holstee Reflection Cards. I’ve used them with friends and on dates. I love how the format of the cards means you can choose more in depth or casual questions based on what you are comfortable with. I’ve also included some other conversation starter cards below!

Of course, you don’t need a deck of cards or conversation game to have meaningful conversations. You can always practice active listening, be present in the moment, and get genuinely curious to spark great conversation this Valentine’s Day!

9. Update your dating profile

You may not be looking for love, in which case, feel free to skip ahead to the next Valentine’s activity idea! But if you are seeking out a new partner or connection, use this Valentine’s day to update your dating profile.

When doing so make sure to be confident! Just because you’re not happily coupled up doesn’t mean you’re not deserving of love and happiness.

Here are some things to consider and to dos when refreshing your profile on dating apps:

• Are you happy with the dating apps you are on or do you want to try a new dating app? Don’t be afraid to branch out and try something new!
• Update your photos! Scroll through recent photos, especially if you’ve changed your hair lately. Choose pics you feel confident in or that would spark questions from people on the apps.
• Do you feel authentic in how you’ve represented yourself? Take a moment to think about what the most self loving version of you would say about yourself. See if you can embrace some vulnerability in sharing about your interests, hobbies, and what you are looking for.
• Speaking of, check in with your goals when using dating apps. Are you looking for hook ups or serious dating? Do you want to pursue monogamous or polyamorous connections? Sometimes we can do things out of habit like swiping on apps, so use this time to get aligned with what you’re seeking!

A refresh to your dating profile will make you feel more empowered and confident when seeking out new connections.

10. Play a love themed board game

Who says board games are just for game night? There are so many love themed board games for couples, friends, and even to play on your own! There are even queer friendly Valentine’s themed games like Love Letter: Princess Princess Ever After.

If you’re with a group for a Galentines or Palentines party, I highly recommend Boo-ty Call! It’s a laugh out loud seductive card game (adults only!)

I don’t need any excuse to play a board game, but I love themed board game nights! A Valentine’s themed board game evening is the perfect cozy and fun activity for Valentine’s Day.

11. Make a mixtape or playlist

We should listen to love songs more often. They remind us of the magic little moments can bring. Feeling butterflies when you have a crush, the comfort of being with a loved one, and the importance of self love.

If you’re seeking a romantic activity for Valentine’s Day, why don’t you make a playlist? You might not have a CD player in your car (or maybe you do!) but you can always make a digital playlist on Spotify or Apple music. Enjoy it yourself or share it! Music can be a powerful connector and help bring back meaningful memories.

Check out my recipe for creating the perfect Valentine’s Day playlist below!

12. Complete a crafting kit

Crafting is the ideal Valentine’s Day activity for adults if you love getting creative or just want to try something new! Arts and crafts are not just for kids. Crafting, crocheting, or painting can help you slow down, relax, and connect with your inner child.

Completing a Valentine’s themed craft kit will also give you a romantic keepsake to remind you of the memories you made this Valentine’s Day! I love craft kits because they contain everything you need to complete your art project. No overspending at the craft store on random impulse buys needed.

I’ve included my favorite Valentine craft kits for adults below! You can find cute crochet kits, romantic paint by numbers, pink candle making sets, and more to add a creative touch to your Valentine’s Day.

13. Bake heart shaped cookies or pink cupcakes

Baking is good for the soul…and the heart! Why don’t you try spending Valentine’s Day decorating heart shaped cookies or try a new recipe from a Valentine’s Day cookbook?

Baking is the ideal Valentine’s Day activity if you want your day to be, well…sweet! You can bake alone, with friends, or as part of a cute date night. And nothing says love more than sharing your favorite baked goods.

14. Have an evening of self care or journaling

You don’t have to make the most of every holiday. It is perfectly valid to take Valentine’s Day for yourself. This is a wonderful day to practice self care and self love. You could journal (feel free to pin these Valentine’s Day journal prompts), have a cozy spa night in, or go to bed early! The night is yours.

Self care can be practiced in so many ways. We can get so caught up in how busy our lives are, it’s easy to forget to process our feelings, show ourself self love, and get REAL rest. If you’re looking for how to spend this Valentine’s Day but you’re feeling exhausted, think about a night of self care! That can look like anything, so think about what feels restorative and nurturing to you.

Maybe it’s making a cozy nest of blankets and pillows. Maybe it’s watching your favorite show or getting into a good book. Or maybe you want to take some extra time for a long candlelit shower. The possibilities are endless! But remember that you deserve rest and care, and it’s not something you need to earn.

Now that you’ve read through this list of Valentine’s Day activities for adults, you can get started planning! Or be more spontaneous and see how you feel when February 14th arrives.

However you choose to spend your Valentine’s Day and whoever you’re with, remember you are lovable. Happy Valentine’s Day!

This post shared 14 meaningful Valentine’s Day activities for adults to help you celebrate the holiday in a heartfelt way.

The post 14 Valentine’s Day Activities for Adults: Cozy & Creative Ways to Celebrate February 14th appeared first on The Honey Side.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of Spirit City: Lofi Sessions from the developers. All opinions are my own.

Spirit City: Lofi Sessions is a “cozy productivity game,” but what does that really mean?

Think of it as a gamified productivity tool. There are aspects of Spirit City that feel like a video game, such as character customization, interior decorating, and earning XP. And there are also features for productivity – timers, a to do list, and habit tracker.

How you use it is up to you! Are you someone who likes Lofi music in the background while you work? Do you like unlocking cute outfits and magical creatures in games? Do you use pomodoro timers or need a to do list to help keep you accountable when getting work done?

These are all ways you can use Spirit City: Lofi Sessions to help you be more productive! Or, you can just enjoy it for the relaxing aesthetic background music. Let Spirit City’s soundtrack help you set the mood when you are reading, working, or enjoying other cozy hobbies.

This post shares my Spirit City: Lofi Sessions review to help you decide if this game is right for you!

Spirit City: Lofi Sessions Review

I’ve organized my Spirit City review into the following sections. Feel free to read through or jump ahead to the section that interests you! Make sure to scroll to the end for my productivity tips to help you get the most out of the game too.

What do you do in Spirit City: Lofi Sessions?

Spirit City: Lofi Sessions is not a typical video game where you actively complete quests or have objectives. Think of it as an interactive productivity tool. It’s like an app that includes timers and a to do list. But in addition to it’s productivity features, there is Lofi music and some video game components.

What sets Spirit City apart from other productivity tools, is those aspects of Spirit City: Lofi Sessions that are like a video game which motivate you to get work done. For example, you can customize your character and unlock spirits, the cute whimsical creatures the game is named after.

You also gain XP points the more you are active in the game – you can use these to unlock more outfits for you, more designs for your spirits, and decorations for your room in the game.

As you interact with different areas of the room, or change the weather or the sounds in game, you also unlock different spirit companions! I find this fun and motivating, because it encourages me to continue to use the game and get work done.

This is how I personally use Spirit City: Lofi Sessions, although of course, it’s not the only way:

When I play Spirit City, I have it up on one monitor while I have my work on a second monitor. Or I’ll have it open on my laptop while I’m writing in a notebook making a to do list or just doing a hobby. I’ll choose music from the game’s soundtrack and add any background sounds I feel like, such as the sound of a fireplace.

I pick one of the several locations around the virtual room for my character to sit based on my mood. This usually helps me get more in the mood to work. For example, if I’m working at my desk and I wish I was still in bed, I’ll have my avatar relax in bed. Or, if I am super unmotivated, I’ll have them sit at the desk to help me feel a little more structure. You can also choose an activity for your character to be doing, from reading to knitting to gaming to meditating!

Then, I use the timers to stay on track while I work. You may have heard of time management strategies like the Pomodoro® Technique. Personally, I set a timer based on how much I feel like working before I need a break – this can span from 15-45 minutes. I also might use the to do list in the game to help me keep track of tasks I’m working on.

Then…I work! Just leaving the game up to help me focus. Having ADHD, I find visual timers to be an extremely valuable productivity tool because I have a reference for how much longer I need to work. And a visual timer attached to a cozy game where I have a character snuggled up with a book next to a cute spirit companion? Even better!

Lofi Music & Game Soundtrack

You might already enjoy listening to lofi music when you work or study. You can read more about the benefits of lofi music to understand what value it might have. Personally I enjoy lofi music because having ADHD, it’s nice to have some background music that isn’t too distracting.

Spirit City: Lofi Sessions collaborated with Homework Radio in creating the lofi music soundtrack in the game. There are several different playlists, from uplifting lofi music to music for studying. They also allow you to use YouTube as a web music browser if you prefer to search for your own music!

I appreciate the variety of music in the game, but I also enjoy getting to choose additional sounds to help you focus or set the mood. Who doesn’t want cozy fireplace sounds in the background when it’s so cold outside?

Some of the sounds even change the environment, which I love! For example, turning on the fireplace sound causes the fireplace to turn on. The vinyl sound causes the record player to start spinning. And choosing sounds like rain or snowstorm change the weather you see outside the window.

The best part is that playing around with the different sound setting also helps you lure different spirits, which you will read about below!

Spirt City Spirits

The cutest aspect of Spirit City: Lofi Sessions (in my personal opinion) is the adorable spirit companions you find around your virtual room in the game. There are over 20 spirits in game, and you can customize their skins as part of character creation!

Meet Chapterpillar below, one of my favorites. Although, if I’m being honest, they are all my favorite! And I even like spiders when I play Spirit City because of how adorable the Arachknit is.

As you play and unlock more spirits, you’ll be able to check your Spiritdex for information about who you’ve unlocked, and see hints about spirits you might be able to find. Pro tip: play around with weather, sounds, and the time of day in the game to help you unlock more cozy spirits!

If you don’t want to wait to find spirits in the game naturally, you can check out this spoiler-friendly guide on Steam to unlocking the different spirit companions.

My favorite part about the spirits in Spirit City: Lofi Sessions is that they accompany you around your virtual room! It’s like having a little pet. You choose the spirit you want with you in character customization, which I talk about below.

Character Customization & Decoration

Remember how I mentioned you earn XP (or experience points) while interacting with the game? This is important because Spirit City: Lofi Sessions isn’t like a lofi video you put on with a static background you can’t change. Everything is customizable, from your wardrobe to the decorations around the room!

You can use XP you earn while interacting with the game to unlock more decor options, clothing choices, and skins for your spirits. I love the inclusive choices, such a wheelchairs instead of a chair for sitting at your desk and some LGBT pride items available in game.

I also appreciate that none of the clothing choices are gender locked. You can have a beard, for example, regardless of your gender. In fact, the game is very inclusive in that it doesn’t require you to choose a gender at all!

There is also some body size inclusivity, however I would love to see more improvement in being able to create a more realistic plus size character.

Decorating your room is so much fun and detail oriented, even allowing you to choose a snack or coffee at your desk.

The character customization and decorating options in Spirit City: Lofi Sessions are one of the big reasons this game is super motivating to me! Instead of popping on a lofi video from YouTube with a random character or setting, I get to fully decorate my room and choose a character that feels good to me.

Spirit City Lofi Sessions FAQ

Here are some questions you might want to know about Spirit City: Lofi Sessions. If you tap on any question, you can expand it to read the answer.

What platforms is Spirit City: Lofi Sessions available on?

What platforms is Spirit City: Lofi Sessions available on?

Currently, Spirit City: Lofi Sessions is on available on devices with a Windows operating system. Unfortunately, the game is not currently available on Mac, Switch, or other platforms. As for whether this is planned in the future, this is what the developers have said in an FAQ on Steam.

At the time of writing this post, the FAQ was last updated on November 20, 2024 so it is possible they are planning for a Mac and/or Switch release of the game in the near future.

Keep an eye out for updates from the developer on Steam and social media for the latest information on updates to platforms!

How many spirits are in Spirit City: Lofi Sessions?

How many spirits are in the Spirit City: Lofi Sessions?

You can keep track of spirits in your Spiritdex in the Spirit City game! As of now, my Spiritdex shows slots for 22 spirits. This includes a spirit that was newly released as part of the Winter Wonderland update! I hope this means we will continue to see more new spirits in the future.

You can find hints (with spoilers) for unlocking each of the Spirit City spirits with this guide on Steam.

Productivity Tips for Spirit City

If you choose to join the Spirit City community & start enjoying this cozy productivity game, here some tips! These are my best productivity tips for making the most out of your time in game.

1. Use the in game to do list to keep track of tasks.

If you’re anything like me, you have to do lists in 3 different places! Something that helps me when using Spirit City: Lofi Sessions is taking time right away to write a to do list. This helps me keep track of my tasks without needing to waste brain power trying to remember what I need to get done.

You can also have multiple to do lists in game! If you have multiple projects to keep track of, or want to organize your tasks, this is a great way to do it. Plus, your to do lists stay in the game. So even when you close the game, you don’t have to worry about losing track.

2. Set timers to help you stay focused.

One of the best features of Spirit City: Lofi Sessions is the ability to set timers. You can edit how long you want your timer and change the duration of breaks.

You can even set your timer to repeat, allowing you to work without interruptions for several hours. The timer will automatically switch between work and break periods. Use the plus and minus buttons to adjust the number of sessions the timer will repeat.

3. Take breaks – your brain deservers rest!

I have ADHD so I can tend to hyperfocus. While this makes it hard to get started, once I am focused I struggle to stop. However, if I don’t take my breaks it’s easy to get burnt out.

Try to actually take a break if you are using the timers to keep track of breaks. Don’t just keep working. This will help you stay productive in the long term.

4. Turn the UI interface off for better focus.

A cluttered screen makes a cluttered mind. When there are buttons to click and distractions all over the screen, it makes it harder to focus.

There is a button at the top right of Spirit City: Lofi Sessions that allows you to toggle UI visibility. UI is everything you see on the screen, like the buttons to change the weather or unlock spirits. Turning everything off will provide less distractions, making it easier to focus! And it’s easy to turn back on with the same button when you are ready.

5. Find coworking streams using the Spirit City category on Twitch.

Spirit City: Lofi Sessions has become a popular category to stream on Twitch. There are often Twitch streamers running coworking streams using this cozy productivity game. If you want a place with some accountability where others are also working or getting things done, you can visit the Spirit City Twitch category!

Look around and see if any of the coworking livestreams seem like a cozy or fun place to get work done.

I hope this Spirit City: Lofi Sessions review & productivity tips is helpful! Using Spirit City is one of my favorite ways to focus and get work done in a way that is still cozy and relaxing. Keep an eye on updates from the developers as they continue to update the game as well!

This post shared my Spirit City: Lofi Sessions review and favorite aspects of this cozy productivity game.

The post Spirit City: Lofi Sessions Review – A Cozy Productivity Game appeared first on The Honey Side.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

I’m a huge fan of consuming inspiring content. Sometimes all it takes is reading some encouraging words to boost my mood and help me realize things are more okay than they seem.

As humans, we tend to have a negativity bias, or a natural focus on the negative. Of course, if we are already prone to view things negatively, this can be a huge barrier to self love. We have to work extra hard to build a positive relationship with ourself.

Something as simple as reading inspiring quotes like these helps remind me I’m not alone in what I feel. Hearing kind reminders about self love fills me with hope and expands my belief in myself. I’m excited to share these self love quotes because the longest relationship you will have is the one with yourself.

As you read them, I encourage you to try to have a neutral mind. What I mean by that is try not to judge yourself, or feel badly if you don’t feel self love right now. Just let yourself observe what comes up for you. Reading these quotes about self love is a great chance to practice accepting yourself, wherever you are.

This post shares 15 inspirational quotes about self love to help you feel more at home with yourself.

Inspirational Quotes About Self Love

Here are some beautiful quotes about self love! I did my best to track down the original source of the quote because a lot of times when seeing quote lists, I wonder what book or where the quote came from. I’ve also added some reflections of my own after a few of the quotes.

I hope these self love quotes help you realize you are a home to yourself, and that self love is possible. If there is a quote that especially resonates with you, I’d love for you to leave a comment!

1. “I am mine. Before I am ever anyone else’s.” – Nayyirah Waheed, Nejma

2. “And why not make all your talks with yourself, pep talks?” – Cleo Wade, Heart Talk

How often do you think about the way you speak to yourself? Your self talk matters. Speaking to yourself in kind or encouraging ways can help you build or practice self love. Even if you notice the way you speak to yourself isn’t the kindest or most loving – just notice it without judgement, and use that as an opportunity to try giving yourself more “pep talks.”

3. “There will always be someone who can’t see your worth. Don’t let it be you.” Mel Robbins, The 5 Second Rule

I find it easier to doubt and dislike myself when I get those messages from other people or society. Sometimes people speak so convincingly when they find our flaws. But this Mel Robbins quote is a great reminder that those messages from outside ourselves are inevitable, and actually don’t need to hold more weight for me than my own feelings about myself. And that gives me a little more motivation to work on being able to love myself, even when I hear messages that I shouldn’t.

4. “If someone comes along and shoots an arrow into your heart, it’s fruitless to stand there and yell at the person. It would be much better to turn your attention to the fact that there’s an arrow in your heart.” – Pema Chodron, Start Where You Are

I love this quote. It speaks to the way we very naturally react to things that are painful or hurt us, without attending to ourselves first.

When we jump ahead to try and blame or lash out at something that hurt us, we lose an opportunity for self love and self connection. To ask ourselves why is this so hurtful, and what is this bringing up in me. And to check in with ourselves and ask: what do I need to care for myself in this moment, and how can I comfort those hurting parts of me?

5. “All the versions of you that you didn’t love, brought you to the version of you, that you love now. Be grateful for every you — you’ve been.” – Lalah Delia

Even if there were or still are moments you didn’t feel self love, you can always give love to those past, unloved versions of yourself in any moment. This is such a beautiful idea, and something that can be really healing to practice.

6. “One of the best guides to how to be self-loving is to give ourselves the love we are often dreaming about receiving from others.” bell hooks, All About Love

7. “Love yourself not in some egocentric, self-serving sense but love yourself the way you would love your friend in the sense of taking care of yourself, nourishing yourself, trying to understand, comfort, and strengthen yourself.” – Frederick Buechner, Telling Secrets

8. “Never doubt or underestimate your own abilities. We are all stronger, smarter, talented, beautiful, and more resilient than we were told.” – CeCe McDonald

9. “Unless we love ourselves, our hearts are as good as a black hole all the love in the world can’t fill.” – Nadine Bjursten, Half a Cup of Sand and Sky

10. “A person learns how to love himself through the simple acts of loving and being loved by someone else.” Haruki Murakami, 1Q84

I know it’s commonly said that you can’t love anyone else until you love yourself, but I don’t always think that’s the case! It’s so invalidating to say that your love for others is impossible until you love yourself. It’s hard to love yourself. And struggling with self love doesn’t mean you are incapable of loving others.

You can also learn so much from relationships, even when you don’t feel self love. When people have been kind and loving to me, or I observe people acting on self love toward themselves, it teaches me how I can love myself better. And I truly believe that loving friendships and relationships can act as a deeply supportive environment that allow you to build self love.

11. “You have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” – Louise Hay, You Can Heal Your Life

12. “Remember, you weren’t the one who made you ashamed, but you are the one who can make you proud. Just practice, practice until you get proud, and once you are proud, keep practicing so you won’t forget. You get proud by practicing.” – Laura Hershey

If you have time, I recommend you read the entire poem this self love quote is from. The essence is that being proud, and I believe this applies to self love too, is a practice. It’s something you have to work at, and you have to practice, just like anything else you want to become better at!

“You get proud by practicing.” It seems so obvious, but we put so much pressure on ourselves and feel badly when we don’t automatically love ourselves or find it challenging. Think about how many moments and experiences you had that taught you to feel shame or guilt. Overcoming that and developing a new mindset full of self love and self acceptance will take time! And that’s okay.

13. “If you want a better life, focus on releasing the blocks that stop you from loving yourself unconditionally.” – Yung Pueblo, Inward

14. “I promise you that the same stuff galaxies are made of, you are. The same energy that swings planets around stars makes electrons dance in your heart. It is in you, outside you, you are it. It is beautiful. Trust in this. And you and your life will be grand.” – Kamal Ravikant, Live Your Truth

This quote is powerful, because it puts things into perspective. It’s easy to be zoomed into any one moment of your life, and feel the weight of that moment. But we are a part of a whole universe, and we contain the same atoms that galaxies are made of.

You are connected to the whole world, and have infinite capacity to love yourself and others.

15. “Here’s what is truly at the heart of wholeheartedness: Worthy now. Not if, not when, we’re worthy of love and belonging now. Right this minute. As is.” – Brene Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection

What a great quote to end this list. You are worthy of self love now, and you don’t have to earn it. All you have to do is start looking within with a little more gentleness, and start figuring out what your barriers are to self love. Then, give those and all parts of you care and kindness.

This post shared 15 inspirational quotes about self love to encourage you to be more loving to yourself.

The post 15 Inspirational Quotes About Self Love to Help You Come Home to Yourself appeared first on The Honey Side.

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Poetry is a seriously underrated genre of literature. I feel like The Iliad and The Odyssey being on high school reading lists is partially to blame. Honestly, if that was the first poetry I was ever introduced to, I would really hate poetry!

Audre Lorde, a Black lesbian poet, wrote “Poetry is the way we help give name to the nameless so it can be thought.” Poetry tells the story of things that are big and true, and that can’t be described with everyday language. We need poetry to help us understand the world.

It makes sense if you find poetry boring or intimidating, because there are a lot of academic people who gatekeep poetry, in my opinion. I once attended a talk where a bunch of poetry professors argued that “Instagram poetry” isn’t real poetry. I hated hearing that because poetry is beautiful and should be for everyone.

Too many people think they just “don’t like poetry” because they’ve been introduced it in ways that are dry, boring, or told there is a right or a wrong way to interpret it.

I’m excited to share a list of poetry audiobooks that can help you have a new and positive experience with poems. Maybe you’ll love it, maybe you’ll hate it! But poetry is the underdog of literature, and doesn’t make it onto enough reading lists. So I hope you find a poetry audiobook on this list that you are excited to try.

This post shares a variety of Audible poetry books you can add to your reading list and enjoy.

I’m going to answer a few questions about Audible and poetry audiobooks first, so feel free to jump ahead if you want to go straight to the Audible poetry book recommendations.

Poetry Audiobooks

About Audiobooks

Where can I listen to poetry audiobooks?

In this list of reading recommendations, I’m sharing links to Audible poetry audiobooks, because I currently use Audible. However, you can look for audiobooks at your local library with tools like Libby. There are also other audiobook listening platforms like Libro.fm you can look for audiobooks on.

Is listening to an audiobook the same as reading?

Absolutely, listening to audiobooks counts as reading! I actually prefer listening to audiobooks over reading books. I really enjoy hearing a good narrator, especially if it’s the author narrating their own book. Your brain also functions the same way when reading printed words and listening to words being spoken, which you can read more about on Science Daily, if you’re interested.

Why should I listen to poetry on audiobook?

I love listening to poetry audiobooks! While I enjoy reading too, there’s something special about hearing poetry read out loud. A lot of poetry audiobooks are also narrated by the author. This is great because an author knows their work the best, and hearing them narrate a book helps me understand and feel more connected to their writing.

Getting Audiobooks Through Audible

You can purchase an Audible audiobook directly, or use an Audible membership to listen to audiobooks. You don’t have to have a monthly membership though to get audiobooks from Audible!

Does it cost to listen to Audible books?

There are a few books that are free for anyone to listen to on Audible, but you will typically either have to purchase an audiobook or have an Audible membership to listen.

If you want, you can get an Audible free trial for your first month of listening on Audible. You can also gift an Audible membership!

Personally, I like subscribing to an audiobook membership like Audible because I like pausing and coming back to books when I feel like it. I have ADHD, so when I check out audiobooks from the library, and re-check them out, it doesn’t save my place. Then I usually give up on reading that book because it feels overwhelming to figure out where I was in the book. Of course, it’s up to you if you want to listen to your audiobooks on Audible, another audiobook platform, or through your library!

Best Audible Poetry Books

Here are my poetry audiobook recommendations! I included mostly contemporary poetry audiobooks because that’s what I find new poetry readers can connect to and enjoy. I also tried to select books that were at least 1 hour long for this list, because if you’re going to purchase an audiobook or use an Audible credit, I want it to be worth it. Happy reading!

If you’ve read any of these poetry audiobooks or give one a try after reading my recommendations, I’d love for you to leave a comment!

1. Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur

milk and honey

You’ve probably seen Rupi Kaur’s poetry around Instagram! If you haven’t, she wrotes short but meaningful poems about heartache and healing and everything in between.

She also has a poetry special on Prime Video!

Rupi narrates her own audiobook, milk and honey, and her voice is smooth and peaceful. I love her poetry because it’s both deeply powerful and easy to read or listen to.

2. Invisible Strings: 113 Poets Respond to the Songs of Taylor Swift

Invisible Strings: 113 Poets Respond to the Songs of Taylor Swift

This poetry audiobook is for the Swifties! I didn’t start listening to a lot of Taylor Swift music until The Tortured Poets Department came out, and then became obsessed with her album Reputation and some of her other music. Actually, it’s really fitting for a poetry book to come out after TTPD!

Invisible Strings features 113 poems from different poets all about different Taylor Swift songs. This would be such a fun poetry audiobook to listen to, especially if you are super familiar with her music, to see what connections you can make from the poems to her songs.

3. Call Us What We Carry: Poems by Amanda Gorman

Call Us What We Carry: Poems

You may remember Amanda Gorman reading her poem, “The Hill We Climb,” at Joe Biden’s inauguration.

“Our scars are the brightest parts of us”
– Amanda Gorman, Call Us What We Carry

In this book of poems, she shares her feelings about climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and white supremacy.

4. All Along You Were Blooming: Thoughts for Boundless Living by Morgan Harper Nichols

All Along You Were Blooming: Thoughts for Boundless Living

I LOVE Morgan Harper Nichols! Her words and art are so beautiful and touching. I’ve followed her on Instagram for a while and love that she has also published poetry books like this one.

This book can lean more spiritual so keep that in mind if you’re considering reading it. Even if you’re not spiritual, I think anyone can take inspiration and feel hopeful listening to her poetry.

5. The Wonder of Small Things: Poems of Peace and Renewal

The Wonder of Small Things: Poems of Peace and Renewal

Want to explore a poetry collection instead of a book of poems all by one individual author? If you are new to poetry, I recommend trying some anthologies like this one to help you get introduced to different poets and styles of poetry.

The Wonder of Small Things is a poetry anthology with poems from a diverse range of writers. Themes include mindful living and finding joy in the little things.

I love how this poetry collection has moments of “reflective pause” in between some of the poems that encourages you to think and reflect on what you are reading.

6. Lord of the Butterflies by Andrea Gibson

Lord of the Butterflies

Andrew Gibson is a queer poet who uses they/them pronouns. They often perform their poems with Button Poetry.

“Do you ever feel like the best of you is something you’re still hoping to grow into?”
– Andrea Gibson, Lord of the Butterflies

In this poetry book, they write about love, loss, mental health, identity, and more.

7. Nikki Giovanni: Love Poems and A Good Cry

Nikki Giovanni: Love Poems and A Good Cry: What We Learn from Tears and Laughter

The writer of this audiobook, Nikki Giovanni, passed away in December 2024. She was a beloved poet and author. She won many awards during her life and was even nominated for a Grammy Award for her poetry in the spoken word category.

This poetry collection spans a range of emotion. If you want to hear poetry from a much loved American poet, give this book a try.

8. Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver

Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver

I absolutely adore Mary Oliver! (Actually my cat Oliver is named after her too!) I highly recommend Mary Oliver poems for anyone who feels like the language of poetry is too intimidating.

She writes about life and nature, and anyone could pick up her poems and connect with them.

If you are looking for simple poems that are easy to understand but have deep meaning, this is the poetry audiobook for you.

9. When I Grow Up I Want to Be a List of Further Possibilities

When I Grow Up I Want to Be a List of Further Possibilities

This poetry audiobook made me feel things. I love the rhythm of these poems and the way Chen Chen sounds both calm and full of momentum and energy when narrating them.

In these poems, the author talks about life and family from an Asian American, immigrant, and queer lens.

If you are someone who listens to music for the rhythm and how it sounds, I recommend adding this poetry audiobook to your reading list! The words are meaningful too, although more poetic and full of metaphor. But this audiobook really shines with the flow and rhythm of the words.

10. Inward by Yung Pueblo

Inward

The poetry of Yung Pueblo can change your life. Inward is a book full of deep thoughts and wisdom that will bring you closer to loving yourself.

One of my greatest mistakes was believing that another person could hold together all the pieces of me.
– Yung Pueblo, Inward

With short poems about self love, healing and personal growth, this is a transformative book of poetry worth checking out.

11. Danger on Peaks by Gary Snyder

Danger on Peaks

Gary Snyder is a poet from the Beat Generation. The Beat Poets wrote in the 1950s and 60s and were known for poetry with a rhythm that sounds like jazz.

The poems in this book are full of adventure and history and visual imagery of nature. Listening to Danger on Peaks makes me feel like I’m in the mountains.

Gary Snyder is also known for being a Zen Buddhist and his poems feel mediative at times as well.

12. Femme in Public: Poetry by ALOK

Femme in Public: Poetry by ALOK

Alok Vaid-Menon is really an icon to me. They are a gender non-conforming poet and comedian who has spoken loudly about being trans and nonbinary in powerful ways.

This is a short collection of poems about their experience presenting femme in public, as the title suggests. It is also a bit nontraditional of an audiobook due to the unique use of sound.

13. Bone by Yrsa Daley-Ward

Bone

Ysra Daley-Ward is a model turned poet, and poetry was how she started speaking the truth about her life – you can read more about her journey into poetry in The Guardian.

This book of poetry is about identity, trauma, mental health, life, growing up Black and British, and more.

It’s not the type of poetry book that is easily quotable, but it is very raw and real. It tells personal stories and experiences in poems with powerful emotion that brings you into her world.

14. An American Sunrise: Poems by Joy Harjo

An American Sunrise: Poems

Joy Harjo was the first Native American to be United States Poet Laureate!

In An American Sunrise, she shares about her own family’s history and also about the forcible removal of Indigenous peoples from their homelands.

“We cannot own anyone else, people, the lands, or resources. We are here to care for each other.”
– Joy Harjo, An American Sunrise

15. Heart Talk: Poetic Wisdom for a Better Life

Heart Talk: Poetic Wisdom for a Better Life

While this book is technically poetic wisdom as opposed to straight poetry, I think it’s close enough to count.

Heart Talk is such a beautiful, hopeful book. It covers topics like accepting change, self care, and believing in yourself. I have the physical book and it’s nice to flip through to random pages. But I think the audiobook would be the perfect dose of encouragement to listen to on tough days.

Now you’ve got 15 Audible poetry books to add to your reading list! I hope you give at least one of them a try, because I think everyone can use a little more poetry in their life.

This post was all about the best poetry books you can find on Audible!

The post 15 Inspiring Audible Poetry Books to Transform Your Reading List appeared first on The Honey Side.

Now that I’m sober and in my thirties, I love cozy hobbies that help me relax and unwind. Coloring is a new favorite hobby of mine, and helps me feel calm and peaceful, as long as I accept that I will most definitely color outside the lines.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

As adults, I feel like we don’t get to enjoy genuine moments of play enough. I know my to do list is never complete, and in fact, it’s always growing! It can be easy to get caught up in the momentum of getting things done, and always moving onto the next task.

I know with my ADHD and how I can get caught up hyperfocusing on a project, I have to be especially mindful that I take breaks and make sure I’m not always working. As someone who does creative work, I find that rest is a key piece of my creative process. I need downtime where I don’t feel any pressure to come up with new ideas or be posting on social media, or else I get creatively burnt out and become uninspired.

Making intentional time for relaxation and hobbies is SO important, especially if you want to prevent yourself from getting burnt out. You have to make time to rest and enjoy yourself if you want to take care of yourself in the long term.

Coloring is such an easy hobby to pick up, all it takes is printing out a coloring page. You can even watch your favorite YouTube videos or listen to a podcast or audio while coloring! I’m excited to share some especially cozy coloring pages that can help you explore coloring as a hobby or connect with your creativity.

This post is all about coloring and where you can find free cozy coloring pages to print and color!

You might have some questions about coloring pages, in which case, just keep reading! But if you want to, you can jump ahead to find the Cozy Coloring Pages to download.

Why coloring pages (instead of books)?

There are a lot of reasons you might choose coloring pages instead of a coloring book. For example, if you want to test out a sample page from a coloring book illustrator before purchasing a book. Or maybe you want something to color right now and you don’t have a coloring book in your house.

I thought this perspective on coloring pages from Anna Grunduls, a Polish illustrator, was interesting.

Here are some reasons you might choose a coloring page instead of a book right now:

• To test out an art style from a coloring book illustrator to see if their art style is right for you.
• You are left handed and coloring is easier on a flat surface.
• You are on a budget and want something that is free (there are always coloring pages available for purchase, but this blog post shares free printable coloring pages).
• You want to color right now, and don’t have a coloring book around.

I enjoy both coloring pages and coloring books! For me, coloring books are more portable and durable. Because I have ADHD and tend to naturally destroy paper coupled with my cat’s love of destroying paper, coloring books tend to be safer for me.

But I also enjoy coloring pages because I can color something specific I am in the mood to color or find something I don’t have in a coloring book!

What to print coloring pages on?

What you print coloring pages on is up to your personal preference! Personally, I have a lot of leftover cardstock from craft projects so if I want to color with marker, I might print pages on white cardstock. However, any printer paper works.

You can also color printable pages digitally! Check out this guide on how to color in procreate from Yay! Coloring Pages.

RELATED POST | 11 Unique Adult Coloring Books: Amazon Finds for Your Inner Child

Best Free Printable Cozy Coloring Pages

Below are 11 places to find cozy coloring pages of all kinds! All free for your personal use at the time of publishing this blog post. Tap the image to take you through to each coloring page. I hope you enjoy them, and I’d love for you to leave a comment if you end up using any of these coloring printables!

1. Kawaii Coloring Pages

I love these Kawaii Coloring Pages from Yay Coloring Pages. Yay Coloring Pages was started by Joana, a illustrator with a passion for bringing joy into coloring. With over 30 downloadable cozy kawaii coloring pages to choose from, I love them all. And my favorite is this coloring page of these adorable bear pancakes.

2. Monday Mandala Cozy Coloring Pages

The 24 cozy coloring pages from Monday Mandala range from cozy holiday coloring pages to general homey coloring scenes. My favorite is the page called Jar With A Cozy Nook Inside! Monday Mandala is a great website with lots of printable coloring pages on a variety of topics.

3. Bookish Cat Coloring

This cozy cat coloring page is downloadable on the New York Public Library website! I can’t think of anything cozier than cats curled up in stacks of library books.

This is a free downloadable coloring page, although it’s listed in the NYPL shop as $0.00. So just keep in mind you will have to give your email address and some other info, and the Cat in the Stacks coloring page will be emailed to you.

4. Cozy Christmas Coloring Pages

If you’re in the holiday spirit, Scentsy offers cozy Christmas coloring pages. Make sure to check out the other links on their blog post about their Christmas coloring pages because they also link to holiday coloring pages from previous years!

I actually was gifted a Scentsy from a coworker a few years ago! Tragically, I have anosmia, so I can’t actually smell anything. So these coloring pages make me feel included in the world of smells.

5. Johanna Basford Coloring Pages

Check out these cute & cozy coloring pages by Johanna Basford. You may recognize Johanna’s name as the illustrator of popular adult coloring books like Enchanted Forest and Magical Worlds.

Johanna Basford’s hand drawn art style is warm and detail oriented. I love how magical her illustrations are and how much of a story they tell.

6. Cozy Teacups Illustration

Enjoy this teacups coloring page from Easy Peasy and Fun’s website. There is also a lighthouse coloring page, but nothing says cozy afternoon to me more than a stack of cute teacups!

7. Cozy Winter Coloring Pages

Try these cozy winter coloring pages from Castle Arts! If you’re inside on a snow day (like I am while writing this post!) or just dreaming of snow, these hand drawn coloring pages will get you in a cozy winter mood.

I love the homey Gingerbread Cottage coloring page and all the whimsical winter scenes illustrated in all these coloring pages. Make sure to check out their other categories of coloring pages too!

8. Homey Coloring Pages from Jen Racine

Jen Racine offers a variety of cozy coloring pages on her website. She is a coloring book illustrator and these pages are samples from her beautiful collection of adult coloring books! I love how cozy this hygge coloring page and English Breakfast Tea page are.

The cozy coloring page pictured above with the rabbit is from her A Very Scandi Christmas Coloring Book!

9. Cozy Corner & Stress Relief Coloring Pages

Anne & Lisa have free coloring pages on their website, all samples from their adult coloring books!

With coloring books called Stress Relief and Cozy Corner, there are plenty of coloring pages to help you relax. Their designs range from slightly detailed to pages that are simpler and easy to color, if that is something you are looking for.

10. Crochet Coloring Pages

If you love to crochet, these yarn coloring pages are right up your…hook? I sadly don’t know enough about knitting to make a good play on words there.

But you can download two cozy crochet themed coloring pages created by Daisy Cottage Designs!

11. Cuddly Puppies Coloring Page

Try this cuddly puppies coloring page from illustrator Lulu Mayo! Scroll to the bottom of the page to find it.

This puppy themed coloring page is a sample from her A Million Puppies Coloring Book. Lulu Mayo has such a fun and whimsical art style, so print this to color and hopefully cuddle with your own adorable pet while coloring it!

How To Make Coloring More Fun

I hope you enjoy this selection of cozy coloring pages! I think coloring can be so fun for adults, but I usually pair it with another activity. For example, I will color in bed while listening to LoFi music on YouTube or with Spirit City: Lofi Sessions on my laptop in the background to make things extra cozy.

You can also make coloring more fun by having a coloring hang out with friends! Even if you don’t have time to plan a friend date, you can always decide to both color the same page, and send photos to each other to compare.

I will also color while listening to an audiobook! I love audiobooks, but can’t just sit and listen to them on their own. Since I don’t drive a lot, I will do another activity like coloring while I listen.

There is also a great community online of people who love coloring books! The subreddits for Coloring and Adult Coloring both have flair for completed work, meaning you can share your finished coloring pages. There are also a lot of accounts on Instagram that share their coloring diaries and latest colored in pages!

Happy coloring!

This post shared free printable cozy coloring pages to inspire your creative spirit and sense of calm!

The post Free Printable Cozy Coloring Pages for Calm & Creativity appeared first on The Honey Side.

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There is no character more embedded in my psyche than Nancy Drew. I grew up reading the classic yellow hardcover books thanks to the complete collection in my elementary school library.

But what really unlocked my inner detective (and scarred me for a few decades thanks to the first game called Secrets Can Kill) was playing the Nancy Drew computer games. While I may have needed the walkthroughs to help me solve puzzles while playing the classic games as a kid, the Nancy Drew PC Games taught me to be relentless asking questions and that I am more than capable of accomplishing whatever I put my mind to.

Thanks to Her Interactive, the publisher of the Nancy Drew computer game series, fans of Nancy get to relive the magic and nostalgia of Nancy Drew with their annual Cookie Contest!

This post shares my experience entering the 2024 Nancy Drew cookie contest & how I attempted to level up my cookie decorating skills to rise to the challenge.

What is the Nancy Drew Cookie Contest?

The Nancy Drew Holiday Cookie Contest has been hosted by Her Interactive, the publisher of the Nancy Drew point & click games, for the past few years! You can check out the Her Interactive contest page for information about the most recent and past contests, including their holiday cookie contests and other seasonal events.

Most years of the Nancy Drew contest, they have had winners in two categories: general cookies & 3D building/gingerbread cookies. This year, however, they added a third category to celebrate the release of the 34th Nancy Drew game, Mystery of the Seven Keys!

Here are the winners from the 2019 Nancy Drew Cookie Contest! As you can see, Nancy fans get involved and create intricate and detailed cookies I could only dream of creating.

My 2023 Cookie Contest Attempt

2023 was my first time entering the Nancy Drew Cookie Contest.

I cannot tell a lie, my sole motivation for entering was that one of the prizes was a really cute pair of cookie contest socks! Not the KitchenAid mixer nor the other, some might call nicer, prizes also given to the winner. The socks were too cute, and I knew I had to give this contest my best.

As I almost never bake, I tried to get creative. My hope was to image a cookie I could bake that didn’t involve a lot of actual baking skills, and preferably no decorating.

The inspiration was from one of the most iconic moments in one of the first Nancy Drew games, Treasure in the Royal Tower. Professor Hotchkiss is a scholar staying in the Wickford Manor hotel (the setting for this iconic Nancy Drew game). While Nancy is trying to speak to her to investigate the mystery, Professor Hotchkiss orders 50 chicken drummies from room service by asking Nancy to bring them to her.

“Ah yes, I can make gingerbread cookies look like drumsticks!” A genius idea I thought, and no decoration needed, other than a little icing in the center acting as ranch dressing.

You can see every entry from the 2023 Cookie Contest on the @NancyDrewPCGames Instagram page!

While I didn’t win, I had a lot of fun struggling to bake even a simple cookie. I also learned that yes, baking is as hard as I thought.

Leveling Up My Nancy Drew Cookie Contest Game in 2024

This year, I was less invested in winning, and more determined to actually decorate a cookie. (Although winning would be nice, of course.)

I’ve been playing the newest Nancy Drew game, the Mystery of the Seven Keys, with friends. My goal this year was to bake something inspired by the latest game in the series.

Of course, we have only found one key (out of what I’m assuming will be seven). Since we are still in the early stages of the new Nancy game, I had to get creative with my cookie choices.

Mystery of the Seven Keys takes place in Prague, and Nancy finds herself being asked to help out in a cafe, make lattes, and even create some latte art.

I felt making coffee themed cookies would be a really great way to capture a really engaging part of the game. And latte art themed cookies wouldn’t be too difficult to decorate, right?

From Inspiration to Creation…Time to Bake!

Did I mention I never bake? Honestly, baking usually fills me with dread. I mainly view it as something that leads to my least favorite thing…doing dishes.

But the Cookie Contest is a great reason to overcome my baking stress! Since I was decorating the cookies, I decided to go with this recipe for cut out sugar cookies.

If you’re wondering about the magnifying glass, I bought it as a prop for a Nancy Drew costume a few years ago. I’ve never regretted it! If you are a fellow Nancy Drew fan, I highly recommend getting yourself a magnifying glass. It’s such a fun prop to have for photos and for dramatic flair.

As someone who almost never bakes, the cookies came out great! Perfectly round and with no spread, which is apparently ideal for decorating according to my last minute google research on baking.

Latte Art: Decorating with Royal Icing

Decorating was going to be the hard part. After trying to find an easier way, I decided to attempt to make flood consistency royal icing using this recipe. I replaced meringue powder with egg whites because it seemed simpler.

Here’s a reel I created to show the decorating process:

Yes, I did get creative trying to color the icing brown. There are a lot of guides online about mixing the regular colors of food coloring to make the color brown. But of course the only thing in stock at my grocery store was neon gel food coloring.

I think my green, orange, and purple coloring mixture turned out a nice shade of creamy brown. Perfect for latte inspired cookies!

The Finished Nancy Drew Latte Art Cookies

Here are the fully decorated cookies – latte art, as if designed by Nancy herself. They are not perfect, but I’m proud of them!

I tried to incorporate some of the designs from the game, and of course Ned Nickerson needed his own latte art too.

It was cool to see how flood consistency royal icing actually worked. Because of how “watery” the icing was, the white icing did melt, or flow into the brown icing. The result is flat icing across the top, just how latte art would be in coffee!

A lot of the latte art in the game was shapes, like a key or a clock, as opposed to more fluid latte art. This did make the cookies difficult to decorate. I think the icing I made would be easier to work with if the designs were more flexible.

However, I would love to try again in the future. and get more creative with my latte art designs!

Have you ever entered the Nancy Drew Cookie Contest, or is this something you’d like to try in the future? Please leave a comment and let me know – I’d love to hear!

For now, I’ll put away my baking supplies for a while. I’m happy not to do so many dishes again for at least a few months.

But the Cookie Contest was a great way to share my love for the Nancy Drew PC games & my creativity. And it has made me change my tune on baking, just a little. Baking can be creative and fun! I guess most people probably already think this, I’ve just had my “I hate doing dishes” goggles on for too long.

Make sure to check out the Her Interactive contest page for future contest info & results! And good luck to all who entered! I can’t wait to see what the next contest brings.

This post was all about my process for baking latte art inspired cookies for the Nancy Drew Cookie Contest hosted by Her Interactive.

The post Nancy Drew Cookie Contest: Creative Baking Inspired by Nancy’s Newest Game appeared first on The Honey Side.

So if you’re looking for your next cozy hobby or want to nurture your inner child with some coloring, check out my favorite adult coloring books on Amazon.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

Coloring is the #1 most underrated hobby, according to must adults. It’s me, I am most adults.

Seriously though, we spend so much time adulting and paying bills that coloring is such a fun way to relax at the end of the day! I love thinking of my inner child when choosing hobbies, and coloring feels so playful and whimsical. I also try to do a non-screentime activity before bed, and winding down while coloring and listening to an audiobook is so relaxing.

When buying a coloring book, consider if you prefer to color with markers, colored pencils or crayons. You might want to think about how much details the pictures have when choosing a coloring book to buy. Personally, I have ADHD and tend to get bored easily, so I prefer bigger designs instead of more intricately detailed illustrations. But this is completely up to you!

If you aren’t sure what you prefer – that’s okay too. Many of my coloring book recommendations are under $10 so it’s a pretty inexpensive activity to try, and you can always regift a coloring book if you aren’t a fan. I hope these coloring book ideas help you feel inspired.

This post is all about Amazon adult coloring books you will enjoy!

Unique Adult Coloring Books on Amazon

1. Uplifting Coloring Book

I absolutely ADORE this bright and playful coloring book. I am all about positive self talk, so the title speaks to me. Every page is filled with inspirational messages and doodles to color in. This coloring book genuinely makes my heart happy and is one of my personal favorite adult coloring books.

If you like to be encouraged and or need a coloring book that will spark joy, definitely check out You Are Wonderful: A Coloring Book That Thinks You Are Pretty Darn Cool. The illustrator Eliza Todd also offers a digital download of some of the pages on her website, although for just a few dollars more you can order the full book on Amazon.

2. Cottagecore Coloring Book

Photo by Jen Racine, Coloring Book Illustrator

I love all things cottagecore, and the Modern Cottage coloring book is full of cute and cozy cottage style coloring pages! This would be the perfect adult coloring book to imagine you are sitting by the fire in a cute little cottage with woodland creatures outside your window.

I love the variety of designs on each page and how the illustrations aren’t too difficult or overly complicated. But each page still is full of whimsy and imagination!

Jen Racine is the illustrator and you can really see her creativity come through in these illustrations. Make sure to check out the free coloring book pages available on her website if you want to see if her art style is a good fit for you!

3. Affirmation Coloring Book

This affirmation filled coloring book is another favorite of mine! I love the nature inspired art work and positive messages throughout. “You Are Made of Magic” is my go to coloring book when I need a little pick me up because you can’t help but feel inspired filling in each page.

This adult coloring book would also be a great addition to a therapist’s office or lovely to give as a gift. It really is magical!

4. Cat Coloring Book for Adults

Cats are ALREADY stress relieving so a coloring book about cats? Meow you’re talking! Meet the Stress Relief Cat Coloring Book with Calming and Adorable Designs for Adults.

The paw-some thing about this calming coloring book is that the designs fill the WHOLE page. Many coloring books have a lot of white space around the designs. I love how the illustrations in this coloring book extend to the edges of the page and feature cute cats and also lots of patterns to color in.

RELATED POST | Free Printable Cozy Coloring Pages for Calm & Creativity

5. Adorable Town Coloring Book

Did you read the Borrowers growing up or love tiny things – who else remembers MiniBrands? If so, you will love The Adorable Town coloring book. Each page features a different unique and imaginative home or building. Think “The Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe” but with 10 times more whimsy!

Each setting is so detailed and really paints a picture of a different cute creature who could live or work there. Coloring in this book is like bringing your own town to life, and I can just imagine all these characters wandering through this teeny tiny town and chatting with each other.

6. Plant Coloring Book for Grown Ups

Photo by Jen Racine, Coloring Book Illustrator

We all have that one friend whose house or apartment is full of gorgeous potted plants – maybe you are that plant loving friend! Then the Plant Parent Coloring Book by Jen Racine is for you. This coloring book is full of different houseplants, all in unique pots!

You might think coloring plants over and over could get boring but this book is far from it. I love the different designs of the pots and getting to learn about different plants with facts and helpful plant parent tips on each page. Also I can’t have any real houseplants because my cat will knock them over so this plant coloring book is my window into actually being a plant parent.

7. Magical Adventure Coloring Book

This coloring book is one you could spend a long time with because of the storyline which makes it very unique! Each page is very detailed. I love seeing the journey of the girl in the story unfold and how the paper planes are incorporated on different pages.

The illustrations are so beautiful I could honestly just look at them and not even need to color them, which makes this even more amazing that it’s a coloring book!

8. Cute & Groovy Easy Coloring Book

Coco Wyo coloring books are super popular and offer a bold & easy series of coloring books which is great if you love coloring with marker or want larger designs. I like easy coloring books like this because I find them relaxing to color in – sometimes crowded designs can stress me out! Most pages feature a single large image to color.

The Cute & Groovy coloring book by Coco Wyo is especially cute because it feels very nostalgic. Definitely a coloring book for your inner child especially if you were an 80s or 90s kid!

9. Knitted Creatures Coloring Book

A friend gave me this book for my birthday and I’m so happy to have it! I might not have picked it up on my own because I don’t knit or crochet but after coloring in it, I would recommend it to anyone who loves stuffed animals or being cozy.

It’s called “The Cutest of Cute Amigurumi Critters” – as I learned after getting this coloring book, amigurumi is knitted or crocheted stuffed toys.

This coloring book is more detailed than I would usually pick up, which is another reason I’m glad I was gifted it! The details are so fun to color in and all about the textures of the crocheted baby animals – knitted bows, cutesy buttons, and more. And every critter in this adult coloring book from Amazon feels like it has such a cute and adorable personality.

10. Kawaii Tarot Coloring Book

I love tarot and I especially love reinterpretations of the classic tarot symbols. This Kawaii Tarot adult coloring book is great, even if you are a beginner to tarot or want to learn more!

What better way to learn more about the different tarot cards there are than spending time coloring them in a coloring book? I love how this cutesy coloring book includes tidbits of information about different tarot cards too, so anyone can color and enjoy.

My sister has and enjoys the Kawaii Tarot deck, so it is cool to see the images in coloring book form. Lulu Mayo is the illustrator and author of both the tarot deck and coloring book. You can also try a sample coloring page of The Magician tarot card on the illustrator’s website!

11. Rainbow Coloring Book

Photo by Jen Racine, Coloring Book Illustrator

The Encouraging Rainbow Coloring Book – everything about this one from the cover to the title just makes me smile. I love the simple bold designs and how each page has an encouraging message! I really love rainbows and bright colors and think we can all use reminders like this more often.

What types of coloring books do you usually like? I’d love to hear if you’ve tried any of these too. Feel free to leave a comment and share!

This post was all about different unique adult coloring books Amazon has to offer!

The post 11 Unique Adult Coloring Books: Amazon Finds for Your Inner Child appeared first on The Honey Side.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

Trusting yourself may seem simple, but building self trust takes time. These affirmations are all about self trust and how to build it. These self trust affirmations will help you become more open to trusting yourself.

It’s okay if you don’t feel self trust or you look for external validation. It is so much easier to doubt yourself. If you trust yourself when making decisions and things don’t work out, it feels like you only have yourself to blame.

Building self trust is a practice – think of it like building a habit. It is going to be hard at first because you are used to doubting yourself and looking for validation outside of yourself. It’s easy to fall back on your usual patterns and ways of thinking. That’s okay! There’s nothing wrong with that, and more importantly, nothing wrong with YOU.

I know self trust was scary for me at first! As much as I felt an inner sense of choices I wanted to make or things I wanted to try, I didn’t feel I could do anything without someone telling me it was okay. Now I practice checking in with myself first so I can build that inner trusting relationship with myself. I hope these affirmations will help you begin to feel more self love, trust, and confidence.

This post includes 101 self trust affirmations to help you believe in yourself and trust yourself more.

What is the right way to use affirmations?

Affirmations are positive statements or quotes to encourage positive self talk. They are often written beginning with “I” or “I am” statements to make them more personal and powerful to use.

There is no right way to use affirmations! (I know, my brain also tells me there is a right way and a wrong way for everything.)

However, here are some examples of ways you might incorporate these self trust affirmations into your day or routines.

How To Use Affirmations

• Write them down in a journal or use a journal with space for a daily affirmation
• Speak them to yourself in a mirror
• Take deep breaths and say your favorite affirmations to yourself
• Put them on sticky notes where you will see them as reminders to yourself
• Use them in the moment – if you are experiencing self doubt, take a breath and say an affirmation
• Create your own affirmations! Use these self trust affirmations as a jumping off point to create affirmations that feel more meaningful and personal to you.

Encouraging Self Trust Affirmations

Below you will find self trust affirmations in a variety of categories from affirmations to develop self trust to self trust when making decisions. You can skip to the category that feels most helpful to you or read them all and see what jumps out!

I’ve numbered them from 1 to 101 if you’d like to read them all, so just keep in mind the numbering won’t start over with each category of self trust affirmations. Enjoy these affirmations, and feel free to modify them in your own words as you use them. You want them to feel personal and good to you!

Feeling Lack Of Self Trust

1. I am beginning to develop self trust, and that’s okay.
2. I accept my lack of self trust with kindness and without judging myself.
3. I am trustworthy, even when I don’t feel trust in myself.
4. Recognizing my lack of self trust is an important step toward growth.
5. I am gentle with myself as I navigate self doubt.
6. I forgive myself for the moments I didn’t trust myself or my intuition.
7. I am enough, even when I feel unsure of myself.
8. I honor my feelings about self trust, even the uncomfortable ones.

Develop Self Trust

9. My intuition is a trustworthy part of me that I am beginning to follow.
10. I choose to trust myself more each day.
11. I am safe to rely on my thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
12. Even if someone has a different experience or opinion, I can still hold space for my own.
13. I am proud of the steps I take toward building self trust.
14. It is okay to go at my own pace as I develop self trust.
15. I am reliable and trustworthy.
16. My experiences and feelings are valid.
17. I can practice self trust, even when it feels scary.
18. I don’t have to be perfect at trusting myself.
19. I can trust my feelings and emotions.
20. When I feel self doubt, I remind myself I am trustworthy.

Self Trust and Confidence

21. I am confident in my growing ability to trust myself.
22. I begin each day with confidence and self trust.
23. My self trust creates a foundation for unshakable confidence.
24. I can be bold and brave when guided by my inner wisdom.
25. I am confident because I trust myself to handle any obstacles that arise.
26. I trust my ability to adapt to whatever comes next.
27. I am capable of taking on challenges and overcoming difficulties.
28. I believe in myself.
29. It is safe to speak up for myself.
30. I can trust myself to take risks.
31. I don’t need others to validate me – I can validate myself.
32. I radiate confidence because I trust my own worth.

Trust Yourself To Make Decisions

33. I trust myself to take the next step, even if it’s small.
34. It is safe to trust myself when making decisions.
35. Hearing others disagree with me does not mean I have to doubt myself.
36. I release the need for external validation and trust my own judgement.
37. I am allowed to change my mind as I grow and evolve.
38. I make thoughtful decisions and trust myself to follow through.
39. My choices reflect my values and experiences.
40. Each decision I make strengthens my relationship with myself.
41. I let go of my fear of making the wrong decision.
42. I trust that I can handle the outcome of any decision I make.
43. It’s okay to still feel a need for external validation.
44. With practice, I will become more confident in my ability to make decisions.
45. I can make decisions for myself, without needing the validation of others.
46. Even if others doubt my choices, I can still move forward toward the best decisions for me.

Self Trust In Relationships

47. I trust my ability to choose healthy relationships.
48. I can trust myself to set boundaries with others.
49. It’s okay to prioritize my wellbeing over someone else’s expectations of me.
50. Trusting myself makes my relationships stronger.
51. I trust myself to recognize when a relationship is no longer healthy for me.
52. I am allowed to say no without guilt or explanation.
53. I am a trustworthy friend.
54. What others see in my does not define me – what I know about myself is the most important thing.
55. I am capable of recognizing red flags in relationships.
56. I trust myself to navigate conflicts with care and integrity.
57. I trust my own judgements in deciding who to build relationships with.
58. Because I am trustworthy, I choose relationships with people who trust me.
59. I deserve trust, from myself and others.

Self Love and Trust

60. I am learning to trust and love myself as I am.
61. I can trust myself because I love myself.
62. I trust myself to show up for me, even on hard days.
63. No one’s opinions of me can take away from my innate worth and trustworthiness.
64. I trust that I am deeply deserving of love and respect.
65. My self love deepens as I listen to and respect my inner voice.
66. I am learning to trust my emotions as valid and important.
67. I can make mistakes and still love and trust myself.
68. I trust that I am enough, and don’t have to prove my worth to anyone.
69. Loving myself means I can forgive myself for mistakes I have learned from.

Trust Yourself When You Have Anxiety

70. When I am anxious, I can trust my senses to bring me back to calm.
71. When I feel overwhelmed, I trust myself to take things one step at a time.
72. I am capable of asking for support when I need it.
73. I trust my ability to get through difficult days and challenging moments.
74. I can handle uncertainty with compassion and trust in myself.
75. When I feel anxious, I can rely on myself to take care of myself.
76. I trust myself to return to the present when I feel overwhelmed.
77. Even if my anxiety makes me doubt myself, I can remind myself I love and trust myself.
78. I can trust myself to create calm in the here and now.
79. I have gotten through anxious days before, so I know I can do it again.
80. Every hard moment I get through proves I can manage my anxiety.
81. When life feels hard, I can rely on my inner strength.
82. I know how to care for myself when my anxiety feels heavy.

Self Trust After a Mistake

83. I trust myself to learn and grow from my mistakes.
84. I am allowed to make mistakes and still believe in myself.
85. Forgiving my mistakes helps me rebuilt trust with myself.
86. Each time I get back up after failing, I show myself how capable I am.
87. I trust myself to keep trying, no matter what.
88. I can acknowledge my mistakes without needing to doubt myself.
89. I have made mistakes before and grown because of them.
90. I am worthy of trust, even when I stumble.
91. My mistakes can remind me of my courage to take risks and go after what I want.
92. My self trust grows when I meet my mistakes with compassion.

Overcoming Self Doubt

93. Feeling doubt is just a reminder that I am growing and pushing myself outside my comfort zone.
94. My path is valid, even if it looks different than others.
95. I release the fear of judgement and trust my authentic self.
96. I am learning to trust myself, even when things are uncertain.
97. Moments of doubt don’t invalidate my self worth.
98. I can trust I have everything I need in this moment.
99. When feeling uncertain, I can remember I’ve made it through every challenge in my life so far.
100. I love myself when I feel confident, and I love myself when I feel scared.
101. I am more capable than my doubts want me to believe.

Now you have plenty of affirmations to help remind you to believe in yourself!

If you want to keep reflecting on your self trust, I made a YouTube video all about how to level up your self trust. I love cozy games so I’d love to hear if you’ve played the games I mentioned in this video! Talking about self trust and mental health within the context of gaming helps keep this topic gentle and easy to learn about.

I hope you enjoyed these encouraging self trust affirmations to help you build a more positive relationship with yourself!

The post 101 Encouraging Self Trust Affirmations for Self Love and Confidence appeared first on The Honey Side.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

Are you sober curious or just want to give your body a break from drinking? Dry January is an exciting time to take a break from alcohol while benefiting from sobriety. If you’re anything like me, it helps to know how participating in a month long event will benefit you. My first Dry January, I was excited to see what it would feel like not to drink regularly and it completely changed my relationship with alcohol.

You may not have guessed the Dry January benefits you could experience in just a few weeks of not drinking.

The benefits of not drinking alcohol for a month range from better skin to decreased anxiety! Whether you thought Dry January would be a fun challenge or are exploring your relationship with drinking, taking a break from alcohol for the month of January will help you have a healthy start to your year.

This post is all about the benefits you will experience when participating in Dry January.

Powerful Dry January Benefits

1. Decreased Anxiety

While you may feel less anxious socially after a drink or two, drinking leads to increased anxiety levels and “hangxiety” the morning after. This was the biggest reason I got curious about being sober and tried Dry January for the first time!

If you are someone who tends to look back on the night before with regrets or worries about how you may have acted, or even just experience general anxiety, you can experience this benefit of Dry January right away! Taking a break from drinking throughout the month means no hangovers, and no anxiety following a drink.

2. Better Skin

You may not have realized alcohol can actually dehydrate your skin. January is already a cold and dry month (depending on where you live), which also dries your skin out, so it’s the perfect month to take a break from drinking. Your skin will thank you for it!

Drinking can also worsen conditions like psoriasis and rosacea. I have rosacea and my skin would always flare up the next day – sometimes right away – when drinking. As much fun as I had drinking, my face always suffered for it. Maybe you have noticed similar effects on drinking and acne. So staying sober throughout Dry January will help your skin a lot!

To fully benefit from better skin throughout Dry January, make sure to moisturize daily. I prefer fragrance free moisturizers from Aveeno, like Aveeno Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin.

3. Liver Health

Your liver may not be something you give much thought to, but heavy drinking over time can cause a lot of damage to your liver. The good news is, your liver can benefit from just a few weeks break from drinking during Dry January! Your liver can even heal and regenerate over 30 days, according to the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

While this may not mean much to you now, you will be thanking yourself as you age that you gave your liver a break.

4. Improved Sleep

Another advantage of Dry January is better sleep. When I drank I know I would wake up more often throughout the night, or as alcohol was leaving my system.

To help you get the full benefit of better sleep throughout Dry January, I recommend improving your sleep hygiene habits. Below are some suggestions on how to improve your sleep.

3 Quick Tips To Improve Sleep Habits during Dry January

• Keep a regular bedtime. This should be easier since you might not be going out as late or staying out until bars close.
• No screentime an hour before bed. Try to limit your screentime before bed, or at least filter out blue light on your phone, to help you transition to sleep easier.
• Create a nighttime routine. Having a bedtime routine signals to your body that it is time to sleep. Find a routine that works for you! I enjoy washing my face followed by listening to an audiobook while relaxing in bed.

Being intentional about your sleep routine will give you something to focus on that is a replacement for drinking, and help you stay motivated throughout the month!

5. Less Stress

Drinking can feel like a quick stress reliever. But in the big picture it’s good to try alternatives so you aren’t always relying on alcohol to help you with stress.

This is a great month to take care of your mental health. Make sure to find other stress relieving activities to replace drinking, like exercise, meditation, or talking to friends. This way, you will be able to stay motivated throughout the month knowing you have a plan when things feel stressful.

Personally, I found it enjoyable to try new hobbies during Dry January! Since I wasn’t going out as much, I used the time to explore my other interests. Maybe you’ve wanted to take an art class or have been eyeing a new video game. This is a great opportunity to let yourself have fun and show yourself you can have fun without drinking!

You can also plan more intentional time with friends. Since you might not want to go to bars where you would be tempted to have a drink, try planning friend dates with activities like making a vision board or having a photo shoot.

These new year friend date ideas are great examples of how you can enjoy time with friends that can also act as stress relievers since you won’t be drinking.

6. Saving Money

The benefits of Dry January aren’t just limited to your physical and mental health! The cost of a night out can be pricey, especially if you add Uber/Lyft fees. I always loved buying drinks for friends too (especially after a couple drinks), so Dry January helped me learn that choosing not to drink can really help me financially.

Of course, if you choose to go out for mocktails or buy zero proof beverages, you might still spend money. But you won’t have to worry about drinking and driving and you can also think more intentionally about how you want to spend your money this month.

Maybe you can even use the money you saved by not drinking to treat yourself! This is a great way to motivate you to finish Dry January strong.

7. More Time for Self Care

One of the best benefits of Dry January is having more time for self care! Drinking often means staying up late and feeling fatigued or hungover the next day. Without alcohol in the mix, you’ll probably find yourself with more time and motivation to focus on the things that help you feel your best.

I found it hard to stick to routines when drinking because staying out late even one night on the weekend threw my whole sleep schedule off.

Ask yourself, what does self care look like for you? This doesn’t have to mean the stereotype of massages or warm baths. But reflect on putting yourself first – what does it look like to care for yourself, physically and mentally?

Maybe you can focus on building productive habits or a new skincare routine. Or maybe you can use a few nights you would otherwise be out drinking for journaling or working on a side hustle. This is a personal question and will look unique to you, but it’s worth using Dry January to put effort and time into taking care of yourself.

These Dry January benefits make a month of sobriety worth it! Don’t forget you can always choose to participate in a “damp” January, and just drink less than usual. You’ll still enjoy all of these benefits!

Even if you don’t complete the whole month of Dry January, be proud of yourself for giving it a try.

This post was all about the Dry January benefits you can expect when choosing to stay sober throughout the month of January.

The post 7 Unexpected Dry January Benefits You’ll Thank Yourself For appeared first on The Honey Side.