Dear Diary

Finals kicked my ass this semester but I finally got my list together!

Current State of Union

Tasting notes: sandalwood & cranberries, chocolate covered-espresso,. brown-sugar, cigarette smoke on wool, and clementines.

Textures: Wool (Long wool coat, Thick ribbed wool scarf, Wool socks), Velvet (Velvet scrunchies, velvet bows, velvet dresses), silk (tucked under a heavy sweater, a slip peaking out of a blazer), Fur (fur lined coats and gloves).

Soundtrack: Taylor Momsen's pretty reckless Christmas, Michael Bublè Christmas, Ella & Louis Christmas.

Books: One day in December by Josie Silver, Heather Wells Mysteries by Meg Cabot, The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff.

In

Prioritizing rest like it’s a deadline.

Oversized coats and woolen scarves

Espresso and a red lip.

Hoar frost and warm toned Christmas lights

Writing by lamplight, with tea that’s gone cold

Italian airlean streaks and foreign films without subtitles.

Rewearing your favorite outfit twice in one week.

Slow running days, not record-breaking ones.

Cheesy ass holiday movies and bingo

Red wine and chocolate cake

Ribbed sweaters and impromptu bangs

Little women and my hatch alarm clock

Committing to the bit and ugly Christmas sweaters

Out

performative “self-care”

burnout disguised as ambition

critical theory and essays that make you cry

romanticizing exhaustion

the word “girlboss”

resolutions with no meaning

overspending on presents

Cold tones and beige Christmas

"luxury" brands that try to sell you basic shit

Dry skin and dead ends

Tasting Notes: espresso, nutmeg, apple, vanilla and tobacco.

Music: Lily Allan's "West End Girl", Florence and the Machine "Everybody Scream", Hayley Williams "Ego Death at the Bachelorette Party", The Last Dinner Party "From The Pyre"

Books: Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked, The Bridge kingdom, Does anybody else feel this way, We Love You Bunny.

In

- Fluffy blankets and fuzzy socks.

- Learning a second language and journaling in that language.

- "The powers of horror" by Julia Kristeva and Watching horror movies through a pyschoanalytical lens.

- Opinion pieces and research essays.

-Signature perfumes that are not your typical scents (think weird blood and dust, sandalwood and books).

- The blue tin of Nivea Moisturizer and Castor oil packs.

- Dry cider and mulled wine.

- Decorating for Christmas with thrifted decor and watching holiday rom coms.

- Chilly grey days and soup in a thermos.

- Blazers, baggy jeans and a graphic tshirt.

- Cute custom wallpapers and planners.

- Espresso Martinis and Espresso Shots.

- Accepting you're not perfect and The Grinch.

- Cinnamon Buns and Studying In Cafes.

- Instrumental Christmas Music while Studying.

- Late nights in the library and making time for the gym.

-Frosted windows and blue cable knit.

- Getting scholarships and high GPAs.

- Gossip Girl and Friends (such winter coded shows).

Out

- Being overbooked and overworked 

- Skipping workouts and bingeing 

- Scratchy sweaters and too tight pants

- Hangovers and running injuries

- Having to use AI in university assignments

- AI in general, it's ruining critical thinking

-Making soup too spicy when you wanted it savory

- Staying up past 10:30 and bad sleep quality 

- Hating on what others love for no reason 

- Dry hair, Dry Air and Dry eyes

- Overcrowded Transit and man spreading 

-Saying you aren't political when that is an inheritanly political position 

- Not voting in your local elections but complaining about the outcome

- Losing a match that you should have won

- Shitty quality thrift finds for high quality prices

- Forcing yourself into a glow up that is not sustainable 

- Hitting emergency stop on the treadmill 

- Two week long periods