the ward method

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  • How I’m adding warmth to my life this winter.

    How I’m adding warmth to my life this winter.

    Winter is a weird time.
    The days are shorter, the air is sharper, and everything just feels a little… heavier.
    Your energy dips. Your motivation goes MIA.
    And suddenly you’re wearing the same hoodie for four days and convincing yourself that avocado toast counts as emotional support.

    Same.

    But instead of fighting the season (or trying to pretend I love the cold), I’ve been learning to lean into it.
    To add little pockets of warmth to my day, not just physically, but emotionally too.
    And honestly? It’s been helping.

    Here’s how I’m turning winter into something soft, not suffocating:

    1. Romanticizing my night routine (just a little)

    The sun’s gone by 6PM anyway, so I’ve stopped resisting the early wind-down.
    I light my salt lamp. I take a long shower. Sometimes I read a few pages of a book I’ve already read 3 times (comfort).
    It’s not about doing more. It’s about softening into the evening.

    My new rule?
    Even if my day felt like chaos, I get to end it slowly.

    2. Dressing like i care about myself

    This sounds dramatic, but hear me out:
    Cosy = confidence.

    My go-to right now?
    A hoodie, relaxed jeans, a chunky scarf, loafers, and my oversized coat that makes me feel like the main character of an indie film.
    It’s comfy, effortless, and still makes me feel put together.
    Like I can romanticize the grocery store.

    3. Sweating it out in the sauna (or a hot yoga class)

    I didn’t realize how much I needed warmth from the inside out until I started doing hot yoga again.
    There’s something about stepping into a heated room that instantly shifts your mood.
    You sweat, stretch, breathe, and come out feeling like you just hit “reset” on your nervous system.

    Even 15 minutes in the sauna after a workout? Instant mental clarity.
    It’s like wrapping yourself in heat therapy and walking back into your life a little softer.

    4. Warmth as a mindset (and a bath)

    I used to feel bad about slowing down. Like I had to earn rest.
    Now? I’m making it part of the ritual.
    Slow mornings. Intentional baths. No phone. Just steam, music, maybe a few dramatic thoughts.
    Let your body catch up to your mind. Let your nervous system exhale.

    Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is stop rushing.

    5. Winter comfort, but make it breakfast

    Avocado toast. Matcha in your favourite mug.
    Winter makes me crave slow breakfasts with good music playing in the background.
    Food that feels like care.
    It’s not about being aesthetic, it’s about feeling held in the small moments.

    You don’t need to love winter.
    But you can still soften into it.
    You can still find tiny ways to feel warm, even when the air bites back.
    Salt lamps, hot yoga, long baths, your favourite hoodie, a meal that hits just right.
    That’s what this season is about.
    It’s the season of slowness, softness, and layering up (inside and out).

    And maybe that’s not so bad.

  • Why boredom is a good thing.

    Why boredom is a good thing.

    We live in a world where boredom is treated like a red flag.
    If you’re not busy, stimulated, or doing something, you must be behind. Lazy. Unmotivated.
    But… what if boredom is actually where the magic lives?

    I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, how I used to feel guilty for “wasting time.”
    Like I had to fill every quiet moment with a podcast, a scroll, a to-do list.
    But some of my best creative ideas?
    Came when I was… bored.

    Like really bored.
    Like staring-at-the-wall, lying-on-the-floor, walking-without-headphones kind of bored.

    Boredom makes space for your brain to wander

    Creativity doesn’t show up when you’re multitasking or rushing or consuming 37 pieces of content in an hour.
    It shows up when your brain finally has space to breathe.

    Boredom is where the weird, wonderful, and unexpected ideas start to rise to the surface.
    That sentence you’ve been trying to write.
    That idea for a brand.
    That random thought that turns into your next favourite project.

    When you’re bored, your brain gets playful again.
    It starts to connect dots. Imagine things. Feel curious.

    Boredom gives you access to your actual thoughts

    Not the ones shaped by algorithms.
    Not the ones you’re consuming from other people’s opinions.
    Your thoughts.

    When was the last time you just… sat with them?
    No music. No tabs open. Just space.

    It’s uncomfortable at first, but after a while, it’s freeing.
    Because boredom is a detox.
    It clears the noise so you can actually hear yourself again.

    Boredom reminds you why you started creating in the first place

    Remember when you were younger and you made up stories or doodled or rearranged your room just because you were bored?
    That version of you didn’t need permission.
    She didn’t need a five-year plan or a productivity hack.
    She just followed the spark.

    Let’s bring her back.

    You don’t need to fill every quiet moment.
    In fact, those moments might be the ones that save you.

    Let yourself get bored.
    Let yourself daydream.
    Let your brain stretch out on the couch and get weird again.

    That’s where the real creativity lives.
    Not in the hustle. Not in the noise.
    But in the stillness you’ve been taught to avoid.

    Give your mind a minute.
    It might surprise you.

  • How to slow down before bed?

    How to slow down before bed?

    Let’s be real, we’ve all heard the basics:
    No screens before bed.
    Try chamomile tea.
    Do a calming meditation.
    Cool cool cool… but what if you’ve done all that and your brain is still hosting a late-night thought spiral with a guest list of every awkward thing you’ve ever said?

    Same.

    Lately, I’ve been trying two less obvious but really powerful ways to actually unwind at night, and they’ve been helping me slow down, breathe deeper, and feel like I’m easing into sleep instead of crash-landing into it.

    Let’s get into it:

    1. Narrate your night like a main character

    I know it sounds a little weird. But just try it.
    Instead of rushing through your night on autopilot, narrate it in your head like you’re in a film.

    “She walks to the kitchen barefoot, sipping her almond milk matcha. The window’s open. The world is quiet. She’s winding down.”
    Or:
    “She lets the day fall off her shoulders like an old coat. She’s done enough. She is enough.”

    It sounds silly, but it works. It pulls you into the present. It slows your pace.
    It turns the little things, washing your face, brushing your teeth, lighting a candle, into a ritual. A vibe. A soft reset.

    2. Create a 10-minute “unwind playlist” and listen with your eyes closed

    Not a podcast. Not a guided meditation. Not your usual music app scroll.
    Just a 10-minute playlist of songs that make you feel safe. Slow. Soft.
    Instrumentals, nostalgic tracks, even lo-fi. No lyrics, no screens, no pressure to “do” anything.

    Just press play. Lie on your bed or sit on the floor.
    Close your eyes. Let your nervous system catch up with your body.
    Sometimes slowing down isn’t about doing less, it’s about letting go a little earlier.

    You don’t need a perfect bedtime routine to rest well.
    You just need a moment where your brain and body agree:
    “Okay. We’re safe now. We’re done for today.”

    Try romanticizing your night a little more.
    Try music that soothes instead of stimulates.
    And most importantly, try being gentle with yourself. That’s where the real rest begins.

  • Why berries in the morning are my new serotonin hack.

    Why berries in the morning are my new serotonin hack.

    You know that feeling when your brain is foggy, your mood is meh, and your to-do list is giving “absolutely not”?
    Yeah, same.
    Lately, though, I’ve been doing one simple thing that’s weirdly helped: eating berries in the morning.

    Not because it’s trendy. Not because I’m trying to become a food influencer.
    But because… it works. And also because they’re cute.

    Here’s why this tiny habit is a big deal for your mood:

    1. Berries = serotonin boosters (naturally)

    Berries, especially blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries, are packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, and compounds that help support brain health and serotonin production.
    That’s the stuff that helps you feel calm, focused, and not like you’re spiraling by 10AM.

    They’re basically emotional support snacks. But make it science.

    2. They help with brain fog & focus

    Berries have been shown to improve cognitive function, aka helping you think clearly and stop forgetting why you walked into a room.
    They’re gentle on your system, light, and full of natural sugars that won’t crash you by 11AM.

    3. Starting your day with colour = instant mood shift

    There’s something so wholesome about a bright little bowl of berries in the morning.
    It feels like telling your body, “Hey, I care about you.”
    It’s soft. It’s nourishing. It’s that girl energy, without the pressure.

    How I do it:

    – handful of frozen blueberries in museli or yogurt
    – fresh strawberries with almond butter toast
    – or just a bowl on its own with a matcha, vibing in silence

    It’s not about being perfect.
    It’s about finding small ways to feel better, consistently.
    And if a handful of berries can help my mood, focus, and hormones?
    You bet I’m romanticizing the hell out of them.

    So yes, this is your sign to buy berries.
    Your brain will thank you.

  • How to become that girl (when you’re more of a creative loner type)

    How to become that girl (when you’re more of a creative loner type)

    aka: the soft, curious, slightly mysterious main character era

    Let’s get one thing clear:
    Being that girl doesn’t mean green juice and 6am Pilates.
    At least not in my world. Although I love them both.

    To me, it’s about becoming the version of yourself that feels good.
    The version who’s quietly consistent. A little undone. Mysterious in a “she probably journals in a meadow” kind of way.
    The girl who keeps her promises to herself, wears the same vintage jeans three days in a row, and disappears for a weekend to read and reset.

    Here’s how I’m doing that girl, my way:

    1. Keep promises to yourself (even the small ones)

    Forget the pressure to do it all.
    Start with: “I’ll go for a walk today.”
    Or: “I’ll journal for 5 minutes.”
    When you keep those tiny promises, you start to trust yourself again.
    And that trust? That’s the magic. That’s growth.

    2. Find your easy outfit formula

    Life’s too short to hate everything in your closet.
    Find 2–3 go-to combos that feel like you.
    For me? Vintage mom jeans + tiny top. Big hoodie + slicked bun. Something that says, “I didn’t try, but I look cool anyway.”

    Clothes should feel like a mood, not a costume.

    3. Stay curious

    Curiosity > perfection. Always.
    Ask more questions. Read weird books. Make bad art. Watch old movies.
    You don’t have to be an expert. You just have to stay open.
    That’s what keeps you interesting. That’s what keeps you you.

    4. Learn how to say no (nicely, but clearly)

    “No” is self-respect in a cute little outfit.
    You don’t owe anyone constant access to your energy.
    Saying no without over-explaining is a skill, and honestly? A superpower.
    You get to protect your peace. That’s part of the glow-up.

    5. Take intentional rest

    There’s rest… and then there’s intentional rest.
    The kind where you unplug without guilt.
    Where you take yourself on a solo matcha date, blast a slow playlist, or nap because you’re a human being, not a machine.

    The reset isn’t the reward.
    It’s part of the process.

  • A calm playlist for a busy mind.

    A calm playlist for a busy mind.

    To-do list: long.
    Attention span: nonexistent.
    Solution?
    This playlist stack.
    It’s part slow-girl-core, part main character montage, part “I need to blast Blink-182 so I don’t scream.”

    Here’s a playlist stack to help you lock in, zone out, and get sh*t done. You’re welcome.

    When you need to write, design, or romanticize your to-do list:
    Slow Pulp – Moveys (the whole album)
    Soft, melancholy, and just chaotic enough to keep your brain awake.
    Perfect for focus with a side of feelings.

    For the days you want to escape to a cottage and answer emails in a field:
    “A Summer Day in the Countryside” by Ophelia Wilde
    Think picnic baskets, sun-drenched grass, and calm concentration.

    Instrumentals that feel like honey for your nervous system:
    Elijah Fox – “Ontario”
    Piano, lo-fi, dreamy.
    Get ready to glide through your work.

    For the anxious mind that still needs to tick boxes:
    Odd Behaviour – “a calm playlist for a busy mind”
    Soft indie + cinematic chill = peace on a deadline.

    When you need a mental slap and a 2-minute power boost:
    Blink-182 – “Man Overboard”
    Because sometimes, nostalgia is productivity.

    Productivity doesn’t have to be loud.
    Sometimes the quietest songs help you get the most done.
    Save this post. Hit play. Romanticize your workflow.

  • A poem for the ones who feel too much.

    A poem for the ones who feel too much.

    paint outside the lines,
    spill coffee on your sketchbook,
    fall in love with the sky, even when it’s grey.

    write things that don’t make sense yet,
    make art that no one gets,
    stay up too late chasing ideas
    you can’t quite explain.

    you weren’t born to fit in frames,
    you were made to blur edges.
    to feel it all.
    to make something out of the mess.

    so go.
    be loud.
    be soft.
    be a masterpiece
    that never asks for permission.

  • What I’m listening to rn.

    What I’m listening to rn.

    Lately, I’ve been leaning into music that feels like a feeling.
    Not just background noise, but songs that slow me down, pull me in, and make me feel something, deeply, softly, weirdly.

    Here’s what’s been living in my headphones and on repeat in my world right now:

    Semi Western – “Wi-Su” & “Pose”

    There’s something about Semi Western that feels like a dusty road at golden hour.
    “Wi-Su” has this hypnotic, slow-burning pull that makes you feel like you’re somewhere between a dream and a desert.
    “Pose” is more haunting, like the part of a movie where the main character realizes something quietly life-changing.
    They’re not just songs. They’re scenes. They’re moods.

    Come Closer – “Copperplate”

    This one feels like nostalgia in motion.
    “Copperplate” is soft, cinematic, and poetic in a way that sneaks up on you.
    It’s the kind of track that makes you want to write a love letter to someone you haven’t met yet, or maybe to yourself.

    Desire – “Machine Spirit Blue”

    This one? Synthy, moody, and kind of addictive.
    “Machine Spirit Blue” feels like walking alone through a neon-lit city, headphones in, heart wide open.
    It’s futuristic but emotional. Robotic but romantic.
    Think Black Mirror but make it a sad girl playlist.

    Scarlet Rae – “Silver Train”

    There’s something raw and unfiltered about this song that reminds me of being 17 again, before we overthought everything.
    It’s soft but gritty, like a rainy Sunday when you’re deep in your feelings and totally okay with that.

    Pink Floyd – “Comfortably Numb”

    An oldie, but never just background noise.
    This song is a portal. Every time I listen to it, I’m transported.
    It’s existential and tender and kind of devastating in the best way.
    A reminder that music can still crack you open, even when you think you’ve heard it a hundred times.

    Slow Pulp – Movey (Entire Album)

    This whole album is giving soft girl autumn, even if it’s technically winter.
    Slow Pulp gets it. Every track feels like it was written for overthinkers, creatives, and anyone who’s ever wanted to escape their own head for a little while.
    It’s quiet and gorgeous and real.

    Music isn’t just sound. It’s self-expression.
    It’s the safe place you go when everything else feels too loud.
    And lately, these artists have given me a place to feel softer, slower, and more in tune with myself.

    Whether you’re looking for something to cry to, create to, or just exist with, I highly recommend giving these tracks a spin.
    Let them hold you for a minute.

  • How to quiet the negative thoughts.

    How to quiet the negative thoughts.

    How are you approaching this week, calm and grounded, or already spiraling over something random that happened three days ago?
    Same.

    Here’s the truth: our brains love to overthink.
    Especially if you’re creative, sensitive, or tend to feel things deeply.
    You might find yourself overanalyzing everything, from the way you replied to that text, to the tone of your voice on a Zoom call.
    And before you know it, you’re stuck in a loop of “what ifs” and “should haves” that leave you feeling exhausted and disconnected from yourself.

    So how do we stop the spiral?
    Here are 3 surprisingly simple ways I’ve learned to quiet negative thinking, without needing a 10-step routine or a personality transplant.

    1. Name it, don’t nurture it

    The next time a harsh thought shows up, don’t argue with it. Don’t feed it. Just name it.

    “That’s anxiety.”
    “That’s insecurity.”
    “That’s my inner critic trying to keep me small.”

    By labeling the thought, you separate yourself from it. You remind your brain:
    “This isn’t truth. This is just a thought.”
    And that tiny shift in awareness? It changes everything.

    2. Interrupt the pattern

    Sometimes your brain just needs a pattern break. A full-on “we’re not doing this right now” moment.
    When I catch myself spiraling, I do something, anything—to interrupt it.

    A walk. A cold glass of water. A playlist switch. A quick call to my someone who gets it.
    Even something as small as stepping outside barefoot for 30 seconds.

    You don’t always need deep healing.
    Sometimes you just need to change the channel.

    3. Talk to yourself like someone you love

    I used to think being hard on myself made me productive.
    That if I could just “tough love” my way out of a funk, I’d feel better faster.
    Spoiler: it doesn’t work like that.

    The real shift happened when I started speaking to myself the way I speak to people I love.
    Not with fake affirmations or cheesy mantras, but with patience, softness, and understanding.

    You can be growing and still be kind to yourself.
    You can be working on things and still treat yourself like a human being.

    Negative thoughts are going to come and go. That’s part of being human.
    But we don’t have to let them define us.
    You have the power to pause. To question. To choose a softer story.

    This week, if your mind starts spiraling, try naming the thought, breaking the loop, and showing yourself a little grace.

    You don’t have to fix everything.
    Just start with how you speak to yourself.

  • A father’s day letter to my best friend.

    A father’s day letter to my best friend.

    I’ve always believed that the best kind of lessons in life don’t come from textbooks. They come from quiet moments, small habits, unspoken encouragement, and, in my case, from watching my dad.

    My dad is my best friend. The person I turn to for advice, for comfort, for a reality check when I’m spiraling a little (okay, a lot). But more than that, he’s the reason I believe in hard work, showing up, and chasing what sets your soul on fire, even when it doesn’t make sense to anyone else.

    He taught me grit, not by preaching it, but by living it. By waking up early. By never quitting. By trying, failing, and trying again without complaint. He showed me what it looks like to be driven but grounded, humble but powerful.

    He also taught me the beauty of being yourself. Fully. Unapologetically. Whether that meant making jokes in serious moments or choosing a path no one expected, he showed me that it’s not just okay to be different, it’s necessary.

    And maybe the most powerful thing? He taught me to never stop learning. To stay curious. To be open. Because being a strong person doesn’t mean knowing everything, it means being willing to grow.

    As I’ve gotten older and carved out my own creative path, I see so clearly how much of him is in me. His love for the outdoors. His ability to talk to anyone. His belief that life is about showing up for the people you love and doing what you love with all your heart.

    So, this Father’s Day, I just want to say thank you.

    Thank you for being my best friend and mentor in life.
    Thank you for being an example.
    Thank you for letting me be me, and for reminding me that being me is enough.

    Happy Father’s Day to the man who taught me everything that actually matters.

    Love you forever.