11 whimsical habits to keep you from spiraling into the darkness

The importance of writing with a glitter gel pen when the world's on fire.

Most days I feel like the “everything is fine” meme. The little dog sitting in a house that’s up in flames trying to sip his coffee like everything is normal. And while I say to myself with a half smile that everything is fine my inner narrator says (in a whisper): she was not fine.

There’s a lot going on. Too much. We’re in another era of “unprecendented times” and rather than letting the angst overwhelm me, I intentionally add more joy, whimsy, love and delight back into my life and my space.

The aforementioned meme…with some extra dressing.

To offset the noise and soothe the soul, here are 11 adorable habits you can keep:

1. Weekly flowers. Flowers are my religion and the bodega on Houston & 6th Ave is my church. A weekly fresh bunch is one of my most cherished acts of self-care. They add life and color and nature and femininity into your home and a stunning bouquet can be as cheap as $10 at Trader Joes.

2. Brand your Spotify playlists! Did you know you can upload an image to be the cover photo rather than the first four albums? And change the name to something fun that evokes whatever the mood is. No more “Spring 2025” titles. Market the music to yourself and your mood. Some of my favorites are butter, autumn romcom, and my newest: extra dressed.

3. Put on a real outfit, even if you’re WFH. I’m 100x more productive when I am dressed for work… yes, even when I am working from my kitchen. Athlesiure, sweats and general post-covid Zoom dressing are stunting our creative morning juices! If you can’t bear the thought of wearing jeans at home, follow my 2/3 rule: hair, makeup, outfit…at least two need to be done!

4. Seek (p)inspiration on Pinterest. We live in a homogenous dressing era thanks to our curated FYPs and the countless ‘micro-trends’ that come into style as quickly as they go. To offset this, I try to spend more time on Pinterest and add the images that make my eyes wide to an ~aspirational board~. The mix of runway, street, and editorial styles keeps me inspired to be extra dressed*.

   

   Pinterest eye candy, internet dessert.

5. Have at least one standing monthly beauty treatment. I’m a manicure loyalist. Every four weeks (yes, four - you need to get on the e-file manicure trend), I go to the salon, surrender my paws, and watch Bravo on my phone. I leave feeling fresh as a freaking daisy. Without this habit, I would not operate at 100%. Whatever the service is for you, keep it up.

6. Wear matching pajama sets. There’s something about going to sleep freshly showered with a matching set on that feels very main character. I don’t love the buttoned-up collared shirts (does anyone, really?), so I opt for tanks and shorts.

7. Create something with your hands. Crafting is my favorite hobby. Going to Michael’s is a dream to me—but I know that store is other people’s worst nightmare. Regardless if you are pro or anti glue gun, there’s something magical about physically creating something. Cooking, baking, gardening, making flower arrangements, bullet journaling… just make something. The goal is not to be good at it right away, it’s to try it. And then watch yourself get better.

   

   On left: a vintage gown I upcycled into a mini, On right: bead embroidery!

8. Ritualize payday by always getting yourself a treat. Getting paid is the best feeling. The next best? Spending your money! Celebrate your hard earned cash by always getting yourself a little treat. A fancy coffee, the new lipgloss you’ve been wanting, a 20-minute chair massage… whatever “frivilous” thing it is, buy it on payday. This ritual helps my mindless spending habits & gives me something to look forward to. And while we’re at it…

9. Shop local. I deleted my Amazon prime (more on that another time), and the lack of instant everything and 2-day or sooner shipping has made me much more present in my community. I buy my matcha from a specialty tea shop in Soho called Sorate. I get my Bioderma Micellar Water from the french pharmacy down the street Thompson Alchemists. Spending money in your immediate ecosystem is good for everyone!

10. Plate your girl dinner. There’s something about seeing your hodge-podge of delicacies arranged in a beautiful way that makes girl dinner even more idyllic. I recently had a shrimp cocktail (served over ice with lemon wedges and a mini dish of cocktail sauce), caselvatrano olives (with a hand-painted dish for pits), and an assortment of chips, pretzels, cheese, and fruit. My Poppi was poured into a wine glass. I felt like JLo in that scene in The Wedding Planner where she arranges her TV dinner at home. CHIC!

    

    No one’s ever girl dinner-ed so good.

11. Write love letters. Not to your romantic partner, but to someone else you love. I challenge you ahead of International Women’s Day (March 8) to write & send a love letter to a woman in your life you admire. Someone you are proud of. Someone who needs to hear it. Someone who hears it all the time because she’s just that sparkly. The world needs more love, support, and words of affirmation. I am a firm believer that change is possible, but it has to start with you! And yes, bonus points if you write with a glitter gel pen.

Here’s to whimsy, giggling, starry-eyed smiles, trinkets that serve no purpose other than adding charm, daydreaming, glitter, edible flowers, empathy, action and LOVE for the rest of the year.

(And perhaps more trips to Michaels).

xx Caylee