the ward method

Tag: writing

  • Things I’m obsessed with rn.

    Things I’m obsessed with rn.

    Lately, I’ve been in this really fun, creative little bubble where I just want to romanticize my life and soak up everything that makes me feel like me. I don’t know if it’s the change in season or the fact that I’ve finally stopped forcing myself to hustle 24/7, but I’ve been leaning into the things that spark joy (yes, I said it).

    So here’s a not-so-serious list of things I’m currently obsessed with, no gatekeeping, no judgment, just vibes:

    1. Charcuterie boards, always
    I don’t care if I’m alone or with friends, give me a wooden board, some crackers, cheese, olives, a drizzle of honey, and I’m set. Something about arranging snacks like a little artist with a palette just feels so healing. It’s not even about the food (okay, it kind of is), it’s the aesthetic. It’s the ritual. It’s the pretending I’m in a European indie film.

    2. Getting creative with my wardrobe
    I’m done playing it safe. Lately, I’ve been mixing textures, layering weird combos, and pulling things out of my closet I forgot I owned, just to see what happens. Sometimes it works. Sometimes I look mildly unhinged. But I always feel like me.

    Fashion is basically dress-up for grown-ups, and I’m here for it. If it sparks joy and turns heads (in a good or confusing way), I’m wearing it.

    3. Almond milk cappuccinos
    Is this a personality trait? Maybe. I feel like an off-duty poet every time I sip one. There’s just something about the smoothness of the almond milk and the foam situation that makes me feel centered. Bonus points if I’m drinking it while journaling or pretending to be productive at a coffee shop.

    4. My digital camera
    I recently dusted off my digital camera (not a fancy DSLR, I’m talking early 2010s, blurry flash vibes), and let me tell you: the content is immaculate. It gives everything a nostalgic, artsy energy that iPhones just can’t replicate. I’ve been documenting the random moments, messy dinners, sunsets, outfits I love, trees, and it honestly makes life feel more cinematic.

    5. Books that feel like soul food
    I’m in my “reading to feel things again” era. I’ve been gravitating toward books that either inspire me creatively, make me cry, or make me want to write my own. There’s nothing better than a story that pulls you out of your head and into someone else’s world, especially when it inspires you to show up in your own life a little differently.

    So yep, I’m fully leaning into my artsy, emotional, coffee-fueled era, and I love her.
    She’s romanticizing the little things. She’s playing dress-up for the plot. She’s editing blurry photos like it’s 2008. She’s not taking life too seriously, but she’s savoring it in her own way.

    And maybe that’s what embracing your creative side is all about: letting yourself feel things, follow random sparks of joy, and curate a life that looks and feels like your own little masterpiece.

  • How I’m actually getting sh*t done.

    How I’m actually getting sh*t done.

    I don’t know about you, but I’ve had a love-hate relationship with productivity for years. On one hand, I want to feel like I’m moving toward something, like I’m actually making progress on the million goals floating around in my head. But on the other hand… I also want to lie on the floor and scroll Pinterest in peace.

    Here’s the thing no one really talks about: staying motivated is hard when you’re overwhelmed. And trying to do everything is the fastest way to end up doing absolutely nothing.

    So lately, I’ve been testing out a new approach. I stripped everything back and asked myself: How do I make this feel doable, not terrifying?

    Here are the 2 things that have actually helped me get things done (without the burnout spiral):

    1. The “one thing a day” rule

    Forget the mile-long to-do list. These days, I pick one thing each day that moves me closer to a goal. Just one.

    Some days it’s sending that email I’ve been avoiding. Other days it’s writing half a blog post, or even just brainstorming for 20 minutes. The key is making it so doable that my brain doesn’t automatically resist.

    It might not sound like much, but here’s the magic: one thing a day adds up fast. You build momentum without overwhelming yourself, and you don’t feel like a failure when you can’t tick off 12 tasks in 3 hours.

    2. I romanticize the boring stuff

    No one talks about how boring consistency can be. Showing up every day? Doing the same small tasks over and over? Snoozefest.

    So I romanticize it. I light a candle. I put on a playlist that makes me feel like the main character in a movie where I get my life together. I make my workspace cute. I reward myself for showing up, even if I just crossed off one thing.

    It sounds silly, but tricking your brain into enjoying the process makes a huge difference. You stop chasing motivation and start leaning into rhythm.

    So if you’re feeling stuck, scattered, or straight-up exhausted by your to-do list, let this be your reminder: You don’t have to do it all at once. You just have to start, in a way that works for you.

    Small wins count. Slow progress is still progress. And getting sh*t done doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your peace.

    You’ve got this (and if you don’t today, there’s always tomorrow).

  • Why you shouldn’t take yourself so seriously.

    Why you shouldn’t take yourself so seriously.

    Let me just start by saying: I used to be that person, the one who agonized over every little thing, trying to get life exactly right. Like, if I didn’t have my act perfectly together, I felt like a total failure. And honestly? That was exhausting.

    I think we all get caught up in this trap sometimes, thinking we have to be perfect, or at least look like we do. We want to appear put-together, confident, and in control, even when inside we’re scrambling and second-guessing ourselves.

    But here’s the thing: life isn’t some rigid checklist or Instagram highlight reel. It’s messy, unpredictable, and often downright ridiculous. So why am I spending so much time trying to be serious and “on” all the time?

    That’s when I realized, I needed to lighten up.

    Taking myself less seriously didn’t mean I stopped caring. It just meant I stopped giving my worries and mistakes so much power. Instead of freaking out about every slip-up, I started laughing at them. Instead of overthinking every conversation, I reminded myself that nobody’s keeping a scorecard.

    And you know what? It felt like a breath of fresh air.

    When I stopped obsessing over perfection, I actually became more present. I enjoyed the little moments that would have otherwise passed me by while I was busy stressing. I felt freer to be myself, flaws and all.

    So if you’re anything like me, constantly stuck in your head and taking life a little too seriously, here’s my two cents: try giving yourself a break. Laugh at your awkward moments. Embrace the chaos. Remember that it’s okay to mess up and not have all the answers.

    Life’s too short to be serious all the time, and honestly, it’s way more fun when you don’t take yourself too seriously.

    Let’s make room for more joy, silliness, and realness in this wild ride we call life.

  • No one’s you, and that’s your power(a gentle reminder in a world that keeps trying to shape you)

    No one’s you, and that’s your power(a gentle reminder in a world that keeps trying to shape you)

    There’s this line from On the Road that always hits me in the gut:
    “There was nowhere to go but everywhere, so just keep on rolling under the stars.”

    That kind of wild, free, unfiltered energy, it makes you want to exhale. Makes you want to grab your keys, leave your phone behind, and just drive with the windows down. Because when the world feels heavy, loud, and a little too curated, that’s what we crave. Realness. Stillness. Ourselves.

    But it’s hard, right? To be yourself when everyone and everything is trying to sell you someone else.

    Scroll through your feed and you’re told to be softer but more productive. Thinner but body positive. Confident but not too loud. Authentic but also aesthetically on brand.

    It’s a lot.

    And somewhere between overthinking captions and questioning your path, you can forget who you were before the noise.

    So here’s your reminder, from one soul to another:

    You were never meant to fit.

    You weren’t born to be digestible. To shrink into a category. To shape-shift for likes, for approval, for peacekeeping.

    You were made to take up space. To feel deeply. To cry in public if you need to. To laugh hard at the wrong time. To wear the outfit you love even if it doesn’t make sense to anyone else.

    You were made to make people feel something. Not everyone will like that. But not everyone was meant to be your people.

    You don’t need to have a 5-year plan.

    You just need to have a pulse and a passion and a little bit of faith that if you keep showing up as you, life will meet you where you are. Not where you’re pretending to be.

    We live in a world obsessed with productivity, perfection, and performance. But the best parts of life, the real, electric, human stuff, they don’t live on to-do lists.

    They live in the in-between. In the weird voice you use when you talk to your dog. In the way you sing when you drive alone. In the messy notes app ideas that make no sense but still feel like magic.

    That’s where you live. That’s where your art is.

    When in doubt, choose soul over strategy.

    Because when you show up as the most you version of you, even if it’s not trending, even if it’s not polished, that’s when life starts to feel real again.

    Your presence doesn’t need a filter. Your thoughts don’t need to be profound. You don’t need to say the “right” thing or follow the “right” path or make your parents proud with a job title that sounds important but feels soul-sucking.

    You just need to be you. In whatever version that looks like today.

    And no, not everyone will get it.

    But the right people will.

    They’ll be drawn to your spark. Your humanness. Your realness.

    Not the version you curated, but the version you allowed.

    So keep showing up in your way. In your time. With your truth.

    Make things that feel good. Say the weird thing in the meeting. Dance badly. Cry when you need to. Laugh too loud. Take breaks. Post the photo. Leave when it feels wrong. Stay when it feels right.

    And if you ever feel lost, like you’re floating and unsure, just look up.

    There’s nowhere to go but everywhere.

    So take a breath. Roll slow under the stars.
    And come back home to yourself.

  • I woke up feeling like sh*t.

    I woke up feeling like sh*t.

    This morning, I woke up feeling like I hadn’t slept at all. My body was heavy, my brain felt foggy, and even though the sun was out, I couldn’t get myself to leave my bed. I wasn’t sad, exactly, but I wasn’t okay either. I just felt… drained.

    No dramatic breakdown. No major crisis. Just an overwhelming sense of tiredness I couldn’t explain. And before I knew it, it was 2PM, and I was still curled up in bed, scrolling on Pinterest, overthinking, and wondering what was wrong with me.

    But instead of forcing myself to hustle out of it, I asked myself something different:

    What do I need today, not to be productive, but to feel human again?

    And the answer came quietly but clearly: the beach and a smoothie.

    Not a to-do list. Not a reset routine that overwhelmed me. Just that.
    So I went with it.

    I started slow. I stretched under my duvet like a sleepy cat. I drank some water, washed my face, showered and put on comfy clothes that didn’t feel like pressure. No makeup. No big effort. Just softness.

    I grabbed a smoothie from one of my favorite spots, something fruity and cold that felt like a tiny act of self-care. It was the first time all day that I felt a little grounded, like I was reconnecting with myself again.

    Then I headed to the beach.

    The second my feet touched the sand, something shifted. The sun hit my skin, the clouds were overlooking the ocean, the breeze tangled in my hair, and I let the waves be loud for me because I didn’t have the energy to be loud for myself. I didn’t check my phone. I didn’t need to post about it. I just existed.

    I sat. I breathed. I let the salt air hold me.

    And honestly? I didn’t come home feeling 100% better. But I felt lighter. Like I had listened to my body. Like I gave myself what I needed, instead of guilting myself into something I didn’t.

    Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is choose rest. Not the kind where you sleep all day and wake up feeling worse, but the kind where you meet yourself where you are and move with kindness.

    Today didn’t look productive. It didn’t look perfect.
    But it was healing. And sometimes, that’s more than enough.

  • I went blonde (a few times) and they do have more fun.

    I went blonde (a few times) and they do have more fun.

    Going blonde wasn’t just a hair decision, it was an identity shift.
    A bold move. A “let’s change things up and see what happens” kind of energy. And let me tell you: something happens.

    It’s hard to explain unless you’ve done it, but there’s something about stepping into a new look (especially a blonde one) that feels like you’ve shaken off the old version of you, the one that played small, overthought everything, and needed permission to be bold. Suddenly, you’re walking into rooms with a little more confidence, making decisions a little faster, and flirting with the version of yourself you almost forgot existed.

    I didn’t go blonde thinking it would change my life… but it kind of did.

    Here’s why blondes do have more fun, especially when you’re in an era of rediscovery and becoming that girl again:

    1. You stop taking yourself so seriously (in the best way)

    Blonde energy is carefree energy. Not careless, carefree.
    It’s not about being perfect. It’s about choosing lightness. It’s permission to have fun again, flirt with life, and stop carrying the weight of every single decision.
    When I went blonde, I stopped needing to have it all figured out. I just let myself enjoy the moment more. Say yes to spontaneous nights out. Laugh louder. Wear the outfit I felt like wearing, not the one I thought I “should” wear.

    Sometimes when you’re figuring out who you are again, the best thing you can do is stop taking life so seriously and start playing a little more. Blonde-me understood that.

    2. You channel main character energy without trying

    Something about blonde hair makes people notice you, but more importantly, it makes you notice you.
    It’s the reminder that you can reinvent yourself whenever you want.
    And when you look in the mirror and see someone bold staring back at you, you feel bolder, too.

    Suddenly, you’re not overthinking the text.
    You’re walking with confidence.
    You’re trying new things.
    You’re becoming the version of you that you always imagined but never quite gave yourself the freedom to be.

    Going blonde became a symbol of my “I’m done playing small” era.
    And honestly? I’m still not over her.

    3. You unlock a new level of IDGAF energy

    You can’t go blonde without committing.
    You’re literally bleaching away the old.
    And that kind of commitment does something to your mindset, it shifts it.

    Blonde-me didn’t over-apologize.
    She didn’t obsess over what people thought.
    She said “ew” and moved on when things didn’t feel right.
    She posted the picture. She wore the red lipstick. She said no without explaining why.

    In short, going blonde helped me tap into my I don’t care what you think, I’m doing me era.

    And if you’re in the thick of rediscovery, healing, or just wanting to feel alive again… that kind of energy is magic.

    Going blonde might just be hair dye to some people.
    But to me? It was a line in the sand.
    A bold “I’m back, and I’m better” moment.
    A reminder that change can be fun. Reinvention can be healing. And sometimes, a new era starts at the salon.

    So yes… blondes do have more fun.
    Especially the ones finding themselves again.

  • Believe in your f*cking self (even when it’s hard)

    Believe in your f*cking self (even when it’s hard)

    I’ve wanted to give up more times than I can count.

    Not in a dramatic, “the world is ending” kind of way, but in that quiet, everyday way where you’re just tired. Of trying. Of pushing. Of feeling like nothing’s working. I’ve felt sorry for myself. I’ve let self-doubt spiral me into silence. I’ve told myself stories like “maybe I’m not cut out for this” or “maybe they’re right about me.”

    It’s so easy to let limiting beliefs win. To let other people’s opinions define how big you dream or how loud you speak. But here’s the truth I’ve had to learn (and keep relearning): you don’t get the life you want without believing that you can actually have it.

    Even on the days you feel like sh*t.
    Even when it’s easier to stay in bed.
    Even when you don’t feel “inspiring” at all.

    Believing in yourself is a daily choice, not a one-time decision. And some days, it’s really hard. But if you want the life you keep imagining in your head, you have to keep showing up for it, even when it’s uncomfortable.

    Here are two powerful, real-world ways I get myself into a better mindset when I want to quit:

    1. get brutally honest about the story you’re telling yourself
    When I’m in a rut, I write down what I think is true:
    → “No one cares about what I’m doing.”
    → “I’m behind.”
    → “I’m not good enough.”

    Then I ask myself: Is this helpful? Is this actually true? Or is this fear in a trench coat pretending to be logic?
    Most of the time, the story is BS. Once I call it out, I can rewrite it. Try it, it’s like a personal intervention on paper.

    2. move, even if it’s small
    I don’t mean run a 5k. I mean: get outside, clean your space, take a shower, make your favorite breakfast. Momentum matters. When I physically shift my environment or body, my mind usually follows.
    No, it doesn’t fix everything. But it reminds me that I’m not powerless. That I can create change, even if it starts small.

    Some days I still don’t want to get up. Some days I’m not the most confident version of myself. But I keep going. And you can too. Because life isn’t about being perfect, it’s about choosing not to give up on yourself, not letting other people bring you down, even when no one’s clapping, even when you’re not in the mood to be motivational.

    So yes, believe in your f*cking self.
    Especially when it’s hard.
    Especially when it’s quiet.
    Because that’s when it matters the most. Never give up. Period.

  • The concept of escapism.

    The concept of escapism.

    In my early 20s, escapism looked like late nights, glittery eyeshadow, vodka with ice, bad decisions, and dancing until my shoes gave out. I loved it, probably a little too much. I’d romanticize those neon-lit hours where nothing mattered except the music and whoever you were clumsily making eye contact with across the room. Then I got into my first real relationship, and surprise, we both loved the nightlife. It became our thing. Our escape. Our reckless little corner of freedom from the “real world.”

    And honestly? Those were some of the best times of my life.

    But I think the version of escapism we crave evolves as we do. I’ve outgrown the hangovers, but I still chase that feeling, freedom, disconnection, presence. Just… now it looks a little different.

    Now it’s relaxing with a good book and letting someone else’s story carry me away. It’s listening to a podcast that actually makes me think (or laugh at something completely unhinged Theo Von says). It’s long drives to the beach with Blink-182 or Charli XCX blasting, windows down, mind quiet. It’s laying on the couch on a Sunday afternoon, watching the light shift across the room, and letting that be enough.

    Escapism isn’t about avoidance, it’s about release. And the healthier it becomes, the more grounded we feel coming back to ourselves.

    Here are 2 ways I’ve found that actually help when life gets too loud:

    1. Creative expression.
    Write something. Paint something. Doodle like you’re 10 again. It doesn’t have to be good, honestly, it probably shouldn’t be. Just let your brain play. There’s something magical about making something that doesn’t need to mean anything.

    2. Intentional silence.
    Put your phone away. Don’t even reach for it. Go sit outside. Take a walk. Lay on your bed with a cup of tea and stare at the ceiling. Silence is awkward at first, but it teaches you how to just be. And that’s a skill a lot of us forgot we needed.

    Because sometimes escaping isn’t about running away, it’s about running toward yourself.

  • Make your own money & marry someone funny

    Make your own money & marry someone funny

    I saw this quote on Pinterest the other day that said: “make your own money and marry someone funny.” And honestly? I haven’t stopped thinking about it.

    It’s a little cheeky. It’s kind of genius. And it’s also, lowkey, painfully accurate.

    Because somewhere along the way, the whole “girl boss” thing went from empowering to being the internet’s favorite thing to roll its eyes at. But I’ve been thinking, what’s actually so wrong with being a woman who has goals? Who wants more? Who’s working on herself and her finances and her future?

    Like yes, I want inner peace, emotional regulation, and dewy skin… but I also want to build something of my own. Something that’s mine. I think a lot of us do.

    And sure, some people might say that ambition isn’t “feminine” or some men don’t like that or whatever. But respectfully… who cares? If a woman being self-sufficient and successful makes someone uncomfortable, that sounds like a personal problem. Not a her problem.

    Because what is feminine (and honestly, powerful) is knowing you can take care of yourself, emotionally and financially. It’s waking up and choosing to bet on yourself, whether that’s starting a business, freelancing, negotiating your salary, or just opening that investing app you’ve been avoiding. It’s knowing your worth and building a life you actually like.

    And when it comes to love? Let’s just say we’re not asking for yachts and Birkin bags (unless you want to, of course). We’re asking for emotional support, good laughs, and someone who doesn’t shrink at your success. Funny and kind goes a long way.

    So yes, maybe the “girl boss” era got a little cringe. But wanting to be a woman with her sh*t together? That’s never going out of style.

    Normalize the women making their own money. Normalize wanting more. And while we’re at it, normalize marrying someone who can actually make you laugh.

    We’re rewriting the rules. And I kind of love it here.

  • Feel it all (even the messy stuff).

    Feel it all (even the messy stuff).

    If there’s one thing I’ve learned, sometimes the hard way, it’s that being honest with yourself is non-negotiable. Like, no one wins when you pretend everything’s fine and bottle it all up. Vulnerability isn’t weakness. It’s actually what makes you feel human. And feeling human, the highs, the lows, the “what am I doing with my life” spirals, that’s literally what life is. The full experience.

    You’re not supposed to be happy all the time. (Wouldn’t that be exhausting anyway?) But when you’re in a bad mood or feeling stuck, the goal isn’t to “fix” it immediately, it’s to understand it, move with it, and then gently guide yourself back to a better place.

    Here are 3 simple ways I’ve learned to shift my energy when I’m not in the best headspace. No toxic positivity, just real stuff that helps:

    1. Say it out loud

    Literally just… say it. To a friend, into your Notes app, or out loud while you pace your kitchen. Naming what you feel gives it less power. “I’m overwhelmed.” “I feel sad and I don’t know why.” “I’m just in a mood today.” You don’t have to solve it immediately, just let it out.

    2. Get outside (even if you don’t want to)

    Fresh air does more for your brain than Instagram quotes ever will. Go outside. Walk around the block. Touch some grass. Sit in the sun. It’s not about being productive, it’s about shifting your environment so your thoughts have room to breathe.

    3. Do one tiny thing that makes you feel like you

    Not ten things. Not a whole to-do list. Just one. Maybe it’s making a smoothie. Or blasting your favourite playlist. Or doing your skincare routine mid-afternoon, and convincing yourself you’re the main character. It doesn’t have to be deep, it just has to reconnect you to you.

    Bad moods pass. Good moods come back. And the more honest you are with yourself through it all, the more peace you’ll feel in the long run.

    So feel the feels. Be dramatic in your Notes app. Go for a walk. Then come home, throw on a face mask, and remember: being human is the whole point.