#eveningrituals

A morning in the life of an unemployed almost 25 something girl feeling lost, confused, with the drive to make it (alone) in this world.  

I’ve taken the last two years to utterly find and fall in love with myself. I became a butterfly someone who was outgoing, self-reliant, and felt comfortable being herself. It hurts that within the last two months I’ve felt like my wing was broken. I am none of these things I’ve prided myself on. Most days I'm struggling to hold on. However I’m working every single day to be a better version of myself. I’ve spent the last two years in Europe, I made my life there. I want it back, not the same version of what I had, but a better one. I’m not sure how I’ll get there or what I’ll do next and honestly that part absolutely terrifies me *cue working out and meditation and journaling* every day. The overall current feeling I have scared and unstable, but the routine,  keeps me steady like a boy who has his arm around me when I’ve had a little too much to drink and I’ve started swaying. 

So a day in the life,  I wake up and make my bed and tidy up.  It’s lame, but true, the organization and lack of clutter help keep my mind clear.  That being said (and my roommates of past can attest to this) I am not the cleanest of people all the time. I come down stairs and make coffee (or absolute doodie water that is coffee in America).  I normally spend some time talking with my mom before going back to get back to the rest of my day.  

I’ll sit down at my desk (well my sisters that’s currently in my room) I look at my to-do list in my organizer (that I make the night before so my brain isn’t buzzing before bed). I write in my journal and then depending if I have work or not my morning will proceed one of two ways.  Option 1: I go for a run, proceed to wash up, take my daily vitamins (currently at 5 a day), get changed, make-up, and greet the day *hello day* Option 2: I do all my morning getting ready and go for a run at the end of the day.

These morning (and evening rituals) are keeping me sane through this strange in between time. I also work part-time to socialize and make some money. Everyday gets a little bit better, but it’s frustrating not knowing exactly what I want. I know what I don’t want. I do know I want something I’m passionate about because it makes me feel like I’m making a difference and motivates me to do a good job.  I truly miss that about teaching, that moment it all clicks in a students head or when they start using something I taught them.

So stay tuned for this absolutely tumultuous time in my strange life. 

Xo,

The best evenings don’t ask much of us. A soft place to land, a quiet companion, and the permission to simply be.

Elsie takes this part of the day very seriously 💙

Five Frames Before Sleep.

After the bath, on the threshold of sleep. The water has dried on the skin, leaving only coolness and clarity. Before the mirror — not for beauty, but for a quiet question addressed to the night. The candle is the sole witness.

The Question. A close-up of a face in semi-darkness. A gaze from under the brows, straight into the dark abyss behind the lens glass. Essentially, into the same night that lies outside the window. In the hope that somewhere in its depths, there is a response.

The Connection. A hand resting on the spinning wheel. A delicate touch — the contact of flesh with polished wood, warmth with coolness. The fingers are not working — they are listening to the silence of the mechanism rooted in the floor, frozen in anticipation of morning.

The Foot. An arch pressed against the cool floorboard. An anchor in reality while thoughts drift away. The point where the body still remembers the weight of the day and already feels the lightness of sleep.

The Unspoken. The model's gaze is directed to the side. The spinning wheel here is a barrier between the manifested world and the otherworld, between the question and the answer that lies somewhere there, beyond the edge of the frame.

The Ritual of Solitude. The candlelight softly sculpts the contours of the figure and its reflection in the mirror. Nudity here is a metaphor for openness to oneself and the world.

Evening is where the world softens — and where your skin begins its most delicate work of repairing, restoring, and renewing itself.

But in our busy lives, we often enter the night carrying stress, fatigue, and emotional residue from the day. That’s where a gentle, thoughtfully crafted evening smoothie becomes more than a recipe… It becomes a ritual.

A moment of quiet. A pause for nourishment. A soft invitation back into yourself.

These blends, infused with calming ingredients like blueberries, banana, chamomile tea, and almond milk, bring together both skin-repairing antioxidants and mind-relaxing compounds that support deep rest.

They help your body shift from stress mode to healing mode — the exact space where glowing skin begins.

If you're curious about these soothing nighttime blends, the full guide dives deeply into their benefits and recipes: Evening Smoothies for Skin Repair & Relaxation

Arguments and misunderstandings can easily build up throughout the day—especially when stress, work, or exhaustion pile on. But conflict doesn’t have to carry over into the night. Creating intentional evening rituals can help couples and families de-stress, reconnect, and close the day in peace. These rituals aren’t about ignoring problems but about building communication, calming energy, and mutual respect. With consistency, small nightly habits can reduce tension, strengthen bonds, and turn evenings into a time of healing instead of conflict.

🌱 Evening Rituals for Harmony

Device-Free Wind-Down – Put phones aside an hour before bed to avoid distractions and arguments.

Gratitude Exchange – Each share one thing you appreciated about the other today.

Check-In Conversation – Ask: “How was your day?” and listen without judgment.

Conflict Pause Rule – If tension arises, agree to pause and revisit calmly the next day.

Shared Relaxation Ritual – Tea, soft music, or stretching together to release stress.

Affection Habit – End the day with a hug, kiss, or touch—even small gestures matter.

Create a Calming Environment – Dim lighting, candles, or soothing scents set the mood for peace.

Read or Reflect Together – A few minutes with an inspiring book or mindful reflection.

Forgiveness Practice – Silent or spoken, let go of lingering grudges before sleep.

Goodnight Words – Always say “Goodnight” with kindness, no matter what.

💡 Why It Works

Rituals reduce stress hormones, lowering emotional reactivity.

Small gestures of care build trust and security.

Consistency turns peace into a habit, not a struggle.

🌟 Final Thought

There’s a quiet comfort in the hours when the day folds into evening. The lights come on, the air cools, and routine turns into something gentler, almost sacred. Maybe peace isn’t something we search for, but something that waits for us at dusk. Read the full reflection: When Routines Become Rituals – Find Your Peace at Dusk

At the end of a busy day, finding time to relax is a must – there’s no two ways about it. You’ve just got to unwind, otherwise you’re going to make yourself sick and that’s never a good thing for anyone. And an evening ritual can help you do what you need to do to shake off the stress, disconnect from the outside world, and basically get ready for a peaceful night’s sleep. With that in mind, here…