#softblr

date: 14 july, 2025 — 7:40pm

mood: 🌧️📚 lowkey haunted, mildly relieved

entry: it’s been raining for two days now. and honestly, i don’t even like rain… it makes everything feel heavier than it should, like the world’s quietly falling apart.

anyway…. theory exams are officially over. only practicals left now. and i swear, vivas are actual demons in disguise. terrified? yes. surviving? barely.

The sweet relief of coming home

Dear cozy readers,

It’s been a while. I took a little break from the newsletter to visit family abroad, and while I was grateful for the experience, I won’t lie—it was exhausting. Traveling to see family I haven’t seen in a decade brought joy, but also a deep need for cozy solitude.

When I got home, I fell in love with everything in my house: the familiar scent when I opened the door, the view of my much-loved countertops despite their need of an upgrade, the unmatched comfort of my own bed. It feels so grounding to return to stillness and silence (and to this cozy little ritual of writing to you again!). 📖 Soft Reading: “I Want to Do Everything, So I Do Nothing” on Substack Sigh. Too real. I spent so long telling myself “I’ll deal with that after vacation,” and now that I’m back, my to-do list is more daunting than ever. I want to organize my home, get back into hobbies, plan a renovation. But choosing where to begin? That has me curled up on the couch watching TV and TikToks instead. This piece isn’t exactly “soft” reading, but if you’re feeling similarly frozen by ambition or indecision, I highly recommend it. 🖍️ Mindful Pastimes: Doodling again Speaking of hobbies: I’m newly motivated to get back into doodling! I’ve always loved cute drawings, and lately I’ve been craving the joy of doodling something just for me. I'm working on being gentle with myself, though. I’m not a professional, and I’m not supposed to be. I just want to create images that make me smile. Starting again doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be fun. (Even if I don’t always believe those words as I’m drawing.) 📱 Wholesome Scrolling: Caroline Friend on Instagram My current doodle inspiration? The lovely, colorful work of Caroline Friend. Her art is soft, accessible, and quietly joyful. It reminds me that drawing doesn’t have to be overly complex or intricate; it just needs heart. Scrolling through her page feels like an invitation to make something small and sweet even at my current skill level. 🎬 Calm Viewing: Rick Steves’ Europe on YouTube It’s a bit predictable, but I don’t care! Rick Steves is the Fred Rogers of travel: kind, informative, and comforting. As someone who is always daydreaming about their next European escape, watching his episodes makes me feel like Lisa Simpson saying “Someday, Rick. Someday.” Whether I’m planning a future trip or just craving a cozy virtual stroll through cobblestone streets on a rainy day, these videos always soothe me. 🍋 Simple Bites: Semi-Lazy Lemon Curd Tarts I love baking from scratch, but sometimes I want something cute and quick to share with others. Last weekend, I grabbed mini tart shells and lemon curd from World Market, topped them with fresh blueberries and raspberries, and finished with a dusting of powdered sugar. They looked fancy, tasted amazing, and required no stress. 🍵 Comfort Finds: Harney & Sons Tea I’m getting back into the habit of having tea every morning. Some days it happens, some days it doesn’t, but choosing a Harney & Sons flavor of the day always makes me happy. The tins are beautiful (perfect for future candle-making, if I ever get around to that hobby), and the ritual reminds me that self-care doesn’t have to be complicated. 💭 Warm Thoughts: "The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave and it feels even better to come back." — Wendy Wunder Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply ‘okay,’ I hope you always have a soft spot to land.

sanrio picnic!! ☁️💗

sanriobiddies on twitter

date: 7 july, 2025 — 2.50pm

mood: 📖 relieved

entry:

2/9 done.

at least i’m through with Patho — the giant of a subject... and i still have proff to properly burn it into my brain, but for now, it feels good to have it crossed off.

next up: pharmacology and microbiology. i’m weirdly hopeful. i know i can do this.