The Joys of June
Tiny Joys & Tender Rituals: 10 Ways I Romanticize My Life Right Now
Life lately has been unpredictable — heavy at times, healing at others. But through it all, I’ve been finding ways to soften the edges. I’m learning to live like I’m in a story — one that’s handwritten, slow, a little vintage, and very much mine.
These are the tiny joys and tender rituals I’m clinging to right now — not to escape life, but to meet it with more presence and beauty.
1. Fresh flowers from local floral stands
Every week, I stop by a hidden gem — one of those little roadside flower carts or mom-and-pop florists that feel like secret gardens. I handpick blooms by color or feeling: buttery ranunculus, whisper-pink roses, maybe some wild peonies. I trim the stems, tuck them into vintage vases, and suddenly even my kitchen feels like a French film.
Supporting local and making life beautiful? That’s the kind of romance I believe in.
2. Moving my body with love — barre, Pilates, and becoming
Whether I’m flowing through a graceful barre class or pulsing through a slow burn in Pilates, going to the gym has become a sacred part of my week. It’s not about punishment — it’s about devotion. The way my body sculpts and strengthens, the way I stand a little taller afterward, the way my confidence grows with every class.
It’s me, showing up for myself. And that feels like real power — soft, steady, and radiant.
3. Grabbing coffee from the cutest local shops
I have a soft spot for charming, offbeat coffee shops that feel like hidden treasures. Whether it’s a cozy nook with vintage décor or a vibrant spot with artistic flair, discovering these local cafes adds a sprinkle of magic to my day. Some favorites?
☕ Heirloom in Wethersfield
☕ Common Grounds in Branford
☕ Cilantro in Guilford
Each one feels like a chapter in my own little novel.
4. Handwriting and collaging to manifest and create beauty
There’s something so healing about putting pen to paper. I journal often — messy, heartfelt thoughts in pink ink. But what truly soothes me is cutting out words and images from old magazines and letting my intuition lead. I make pages filled with beauty, intention, and longing — part vision board, part spellbook. Sometimes a poem spills out. Sometimes a little story forms.
It’s not about perfection. It’s about touching the edges of who I’m becoming.
5. Letting lyrics hold me — SZA, Fleetwood Mac, and Genesis
Music is where I go to feel. I press play and let the words wash over me — sometimes it’s SZA, raw and aching in all the right places. Other times, it’s Fleetwood Mac unraveling something nostalgic in my chest. And when I want to feel celestial and alive, I fall into Genesis — it’s like dreaming with my eyes open.
I don’t always sing along. Sometimes I just listen — really listen — and let the lyrics say the things I can’t.
6. Taking photos of little beauties in the wild
A patch of peonies in full bloom. A crowded corner of a used bookstore. The way a row of colorful kayaks looks against the water. I snap photos like love letters to the world — proof that I noticed, that I cared, that beauty still exists even on hard days.
It’s not about filters or perfection. It’s about capturing the moment as it felt — warm, fleeting, real.
7. Spending quiet, golden moments with Everly
She’s not just a dog — she’s my little shadow, my softness, my girl. Whether we’re curled up on the couch, wandering through the woods, or just watching the world from the window, Everly reminds me how to be present. She notices everything — a butterfly, a breeze, the way the light shifts on the floor — and when I’m with her, I do too.
Life feels more magical with her by my side. We’re writing this chapter together.
8. Thrifting for coquette treasures & storybook summer dresses
There’s nothing like the thrill of the thrift — the soft hum of a quiet shop, the smell of vintage fabric, the promise of a hidden gem just waiting. I’m always on the hunt for coquette home décor: porcelain teacups, blush-tinted glass, anything floral and a little bit whimsical. And summer dresses? I want lace, puff sleeves, satin bows — the kind of dress that feels like a kiss on the shoulder.
Thrifting isn’t just shopping. It’s treasure hunting for pieces that already carry magic.
9. Old Hollywood… and reality TV chaos
One night it’s Dirty Dancing, and I’m quoting every line like it’s scripture — nobody puts Baby in the corner, after all. I swoon over the costumes, the romance, the slow-burn magic. But the next night? I’m deep in the mess of Love Island, Love Hotel, or The Valley, fully invested in every toxic flirtation and petty fight.
Because I contain multitudes — and sometimes healing looks like dancing with Patrick Swayze... and sometimes it’s screaming “Girl, don’t text him!” at the TV.
10. Telling myself: softness is not weakness
Every day, I remind myself: being tender in a harsh world is not naive — it’s revolutionary. Choosing beauty, choosing gentleness, choosing hope? That’s power. That’s resistance. That’s me.
Because you don’t have to wait for someone to bring you roses. You can grow your own garden — right inside your life.
