I’ve been feeling a little nostalgic for the lovely south of France road trip I took in August. I’ve been editing my vlog from that trip (now live btw) and reliving the heatwave via Davinci Resolve. 38 degrees looks way more dreamy on my screen than it felt IRL but we visited the most serene places that I’ll be daydreaming about for a while.

I’ve dog-eared south of France as an area I’d like to revisit in the future but for now, I’ve already got my eyes set on the next destination.

As a creature of habit does, I’ve been frequenting a few favorite spots this summer, both for food and coffee. The routine of taking Mika to the park, then walking over to Café Detour where I have an iced americano or ginger beer and sit with my journal or laptop until I’m creatively satisfied is something I look forward to weekly. But I do want to make sure I’m spending time exploring the rest of the city as well.

Is there such thing as too much comfort? I love the way I’m settling into the 11th arrondisement, making every nook and cranny feel familiar. But knowing that my time in Paris is now more limited than I originally thought, should I be “getting out there more?” Where do we draw the line between introverted routine building and isolation? How much time should I be spending “building community” vs working on the things creatively energizing me right now?

I have none of the answers but I guess I’ll try to figure that out this month. After a quick trip to Hong Kong though, for the side-quest queen never rests.

I’ve been very behind in sharing my outfits from this summer so here are 7 that I’m planning on saving for next summer.

Doing & wearing

I’ve had the Leset Carpenter pants on my wish list for a year now but still can’t justify the price. But I did find these Gap barrel leg cotton pants that I think serve the same purpose for me. Whenever I’m in the mood for pants and it’s a little too hot for denim, these are what I reach for. I actually found them on sale at an outlet near Osaka so I got them in navy, brown, and white. So far I find I wear the white ones the least but mostly because I suck at keeping white clothes white.

When we had friends visiting, we checked out Museé de L’Orangerie to see Monet’s Nympheas. Museums and galleries have been a bit challenging to visit since we’re still working on Mika’s separation anxiety, but I think may start booking a once a week Rover so that I can have days to do things that aren’t dog friendly.

Both the skirt and the bag from this outfit were from my Europe trip 2 years ago when I was still figuring out how I would move here. Kind of a circular moment bringing them back here 2 years later.

I’m a basics girl through and through and I’ve been wearing this specific tank top A LOT this summer. While haven’t shopped Aritzia in a while, I’d be lying if I said they didn’t have great basics. Something about the fit of this racerback just fits better than others.

For someone now living within a 3km radius of all the best vintage shopping in Paris, my self-restraint has been in tip top shape. I did find this amazing Kenzo denim jacket during my second week that I bought immediately. I love a “jacket is the outfit” moment.

Wearing the same white tank as the last outfit!! IT really is a closet staple now. I did recently pick up a grey one from Lululemon but not sure if it' makes holy grail status yet. Will keep you posted.

This silk skirt always makes me feel a little witchy but some how I only ever reach for it in the summer. I got it at a flea market in Berlin on that same Europe trip 2 years ago, and I love when vintage pieces stay in my wardrobe.

The Reformation top I purchased this summer and it’s been worn to death since I got it. I did size up in it so that it was a little more relaxed but I sometimes wish I did the regular size for a more tailored look. Maybe one day I’ll go back for it in a different colour. They’ve got a beautiful burgundy right now and a purple that feels very Carrie Bradshaw.

Another basic that has lasted in my closet for a few summers now is this ribbed halter (discontinued) that I got a few years back. Paired with a cult classic denim that I’ll wear until threadbare, this is an outfit I always feel good in.

While there are a lot of things I love about Paris over London, parks are the one thing that London just do better. Don’t get me wrong, the gardens in Paris are beautiful—pictured above is the Jardin du Luxembourg where Mika was allowed in one small gravel corner. But the royal parks in London (where dogs are all allowed!!) are just a standout part of the city that is hard to compete with.

Regardless, sitting at the garden doing a bit of reading is as peaceful as it looks on everyone’s Instagrams. I also recently found out that the Jardin du Palais Royal allow dogs as well so we’ll be spending a lot more time there.

A vintage find that I definitely don’t wear enough is this gorgeous Vivienne Westwood skirt I thrifted in Berlin. It’s the first time I’ve styled it so simply and I love how it adds texture to the outfit. It’s also a great one for boots so maybe it’ll get more wear this autumn.

Can time spent in Paris be complete without some steak frites? I discovered this gem bordering the 11th that does a classic entrecôte menu where you get a salad, entrecôte and fries, and a dessert. I’ve yet the try the famous Relais de L’entrecôte restaurants so I can’t compare the sauce but this one at L’Atelier Entrecôte is pretty spectacular.

Who am I without a couple of baggie tees in my arsenal? While the heatwave made it a little tough to be draped in baggy fabric, this outfit did still work (as long as I wasn’t walking around for too long and sweating through the fabric). I always have a tough time styling this cream silk skirt but juxtaposed with the very casual t-shirt made it feel more my style.

If you want to see what I’m wearing + doing throughout the week, connect with me on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok!

Angel xo

My doomscrolling cycle usually includes periods where I’m constantly reaching for my phone as a quick fix to numb a very overstimulated brain. It works until it doesn’t and at some point the noise comes through anyways.

Work got a little crazy this past month and I found myself reaching for my phone too much so to counter my need to fill my schedule while still fulfilling my desire for information, I started blocking out time for curiosity.

The first day actually started from a study date I scheduled with Janice where we each brought a magazine to a cafe and spent the morning reading articles and noting down what caught our interest. Since starting to plan for my international move (that’s now thankfully behind me) I haven’t been purchasing any print media so to finally get my hands on a new issue of Monocle felt like reuniting with an old friend.

Issue 195 of Monocle got me thinking about the details that make a city more desirable to live in. And whether I was really taking advantage of what Paris is offering me. My brain wandered to third spaces, experiential design, as well as products that help people learn about themselves. While all of these topics actually relate really well to where I’m at and the projects I’m working on, what actually stuck out was how this day made me feel.

I couldn’t remember the last time I spent time chasing my curiosity. I’ve grown so used to looking at feeds that I forgot my brain could source interesting ideas without the guidance of an algorithm. 2 hours spent following my own thoughts gave me what a week of scrolling couldn’t. It made me notice how by numbing my tired brain with content, I was also muting my creativity.

It was also a good reminder that taste isn’t built online. We can scroll through thousands of inspiration photos but what actually makes your style unique is your lived experience. The culture you immerse yourself in. The feelings you take away.

Cities shape you. Spaces shape you. Experiences shape you. When you limit yourself to your own field or format, you’re cornering yourself in an echo chamber.

So that’s where the idea of a wonder day comes from. Is it just an over-glorified study day for an adult who’s long graduated? Kind of! But it’s been one of my favourite ways to get creatively inspired lately and I think everyone needs to try it.

How to have a wonder day

There’s no “right” way to do this but here’s how I’ve structured my wonder days:

Start with something that interests you

I love the idea of starting offline with a print publication or book but when that’s not available, I’ll browse an online publication I enjoy or through my subscriptions list on Substack. As I’m reading through articles, I keep tabs on

1. what topics catch my attention

2. questions I may have from my reading

3. additional resources that authors have referenced

Pick one idea and go from there

Once a topic or idea sticks, follow it and see where it takes you. Typically this is when I start searching on Google, YouTube, or sometimes even podcasts if I’m in an audio mood. As you’re working through topics, take notes! I have a dedicated learning/research notebook that’s filling up quickly with messy scribbles.

Stay flexible

If you’re main idea or topic changes, that’s totally okay. See where it takes you. Picking an idea is more about finding a direction than settling on one single topic. I sometimes will draw out a mind map at this point to help me map out where my thoughts are going.

To do this, put your original idea or topic in the middle and start writing down questions or related topics that come up. Below you’ll find mine when I was thinking about city living.

Form your own opinions in the process

Not every wonder day has to result in output but it’s important to at least record down your own opinion on the topic, even if it’s just a couple of sentences. As I mentioned in my article around building your personal taste, when you’re able to clearly differentiate between ideas that you support versus ones that you don’t agree with it, it teaches you how to be more articulate in your own work as well.

Keep it short and easy if you need. But try to add your own ideas into the mix.

What to bring

I almost always overpack for a café day, thinking I’ll need more than I do. But one thing that makes my wonder days more successful is actually limiting what I can bring with me.

I find that when I’m surrounded by choice, it makes it a lot harder to focus on what I need to do. So for these days all I bring is

• my iPad Pro (use your laptop if that’s what you have)

• a research notebook for taking notes

• a book or magazine if that’s your source

Archiving my notes

I’ll always prefer taking notes by hand because the act of putting pen to paper helps me commit my notes to memory but I have also been enjoying archiving my notes in my personal knowledge management system (PKM) which currently lives in Obsidian. I’m thinking of doing a separate article on why I chose Obsidian and how I use it, so if you’re interested in that, let me know!

Staying curious

I didn’t just get a list of new reads from my curiosity chasing, although that in itself was a reward. I got more ideas. Ideas that flowed a little easier when they came. A feeling of expansion that created more space for creativity. But most of all, I felt inspired (and almost obligated) to follow those ideas instead of letting them pass by unnoticed.

One of those ideas turned into a whole different rabbit hole about taste—why we build it, why the internet makes it harder to trust our own, and what it actually takes to develop a point of view that’s ours. If that’s something you’re curious about too, I write about it here.

I’ve had 2 more wonder days since, and whether or not it leads to an article or video, it always leaves me feeling satiated and motivated. When will you try to schedule in yours?

If you want to see what I’m wearing + doing throughout the week, connect with me on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok!

Angel xo

August

There’s always a breeze that picks up shortly before it rains in Paris. We had our first chilly, end-of-summer morning this past week and as I watched the leaves swirl about, I found myself craving rain.

Rain was something I complained about a lot living in Vancouver. To the point where I now know that about 46% of a year in Vancouver is actually spent in rainfall. Even for a homebody like me, that’s too much time trapped indoor.

Throughout the heatwave, I have actually caught myself scrolling for rain on more than one occasion. Mostly because it means the heat will also break. I probably sound pretty biased when I say even rain is more bearable in Paris, but it really does seem to be a lot more sporadic and short-lived than the month-long spells we sometimes get in Vancouver, so I’m much more of a fan.

I’ve been trying to make note of these little changes: craving rain, wanting to learn again, feeling more creatively inspired. I know that Paris is a temporary season but I’m seeing it as a opportunity to learn about myself in a new environment while also craft who I want to be in my next chapter. I keep coming back to the thought of life design—how lucky we are that we have the freedom to choose who we want to be and how we want to live. That’s what I want this season to be about.

One of my favorite new rituals here are Wonder Days. They’re days I just bring my iPad Pro, a notebook, and maybe a book or magazine to the cafe so that I can read and chase my curiosities. I’ve been starting on Substack, and then when an idea or topic gets sticky, I switch to googling. I want to get into the habit of creating more than I consume, but for now I want to at least make my consumption time more intentional.

This is the first Wrapped post I’ve written a while (oops) but I’m happy to be refreshing my writing routine as well. Hopefully we won’t be missing anymore.

Loving

Keeping a PKM system

Keeping a PKM (personal knowledge management tool) has gone hand in hand with my weekly Wonder Days. I’ve been tweaking my PKM on and off for the last couple of years but I think I’ve finally found an Obsidian set up that I want to stick with.

Espresso Display

I wrapped up quite a few video projects this month and my Espresso Display Pro has been standing out as my favorite work companion. I was really noticing the neck and shoulder pressure from laptop use again.

Garmin with Natural Cycles

My third Ultrahuman ring has officially died on me so I think it’s time I take a break from ring wearables. The battery just doesn’t seem to last no matter what I do. The same goes for Oura so I don’t think it’s a brand issue fortunately. The feautre I used the most was the cycle tracking but I discovered that my Garmin Forerunner 570 can track body temperature deviations and integrates with Natural Cycles so that’s been my replacement solution for now.

I’ve used Natural Cycles before with my Oura ring and thought it was a great app so I’m not mad about the new set up. I have my watch on all the time anyways.

Consuming

Slanting Towards the Sea

I flip-flopped between questioning certain parts of this book and really enjoying it but by the end I knew it was going to be one that I thought about often. The way that Lidija Hilje wrote the characters made them feel oddly realistic—Ivona’s self-aware thoughts yet still falling prey to her own patterns and feelings was the most relatable written experience I’ve read in a while. I fleshed out my thoughts on the book a little more in my digital garden but overall this one lived up to the hype.

The Incendies

In a totally different way, Incendies also lived up to every shining review I’ve ever heard. Please read the trigger warnings for this one before you watch it!! but it was well worth the watch for me.

Tuner

Tuner was a more lighthearted watch after Incendies but I ended up loving it as well. While there aspects to the MC that felt a tad annoying at times, I really enjoyed how the story structure played out.

Repeating

Another 13

I stopped wearing Another 13 for quite a while but for some reason decided to reach for it again this summer. I swear the scent changes on me but this summer it’s been wearing as a peppery skin scent which some how melds with the Paris heat perfectly.

Caudalie VinoPerfect Serum

I’m officially on my third bottle of the VinoPerfect serum so I can safely say it’s a bit of a holy grail. It is a product you have to be patient with (it’s not magic) but I do notice that my post-acne marks fade a little quicker when I use it.

While it’s not a repeat (yet), I am nearly finished with my first tube of the Caudalie VinoHydra Moisturizer as well and I’ve loved it as my summer moisturizer. Will keep you posted if it also works when the temperature drops.

Snapping

If you want to see what I’m wearing + doing throughout the week, connect with me on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok!

Angel xo

Whenever friends ask me for advice on growing their personal brands, I always bring them back to the question “why”. Why are you doing this? What’s the purpose of what you share? What do you want your audience to takeaway? As the nature of content and media evolves, it’s obvious it’s no longer all about “niching down”.

You don’t have to talk about just books, or perfume, or fashion, or design. Everything you’re interested in becomes a piece of the puzzle. So long as you figure out the greater story—what your creative house is all about—you’re free to fill the rooms with whatever you want

I recently purchased the book Start With Why by Simon Sinek as a gift for someone, but it served as a good reminder to reevaluate my own “why” as well. The premise of the book argues that the most influential leaders, companies, and movements don’t inspire people by leading with what they do or how they do it. The key is why they exist. Even if it’s not explicitly said in every day language or messaging, every brand has a why. And when all of your work stems from this core purpose, it becomes the invisible magnet that helps everyone else connect with everything that you do.

Apple’s original mission during the Steve Jobs era was: “To make a contribution to the world by making tools for the mind that advance humankind.”

Notion’s mission statement is: “To make it possible for everyone to shape the tools that shape their lives.”

I’ve been noodling on my why for YEARS now and while it shape-shifts now and again, the theme stays the same:

Feel good, look good, do better.

Or to be more explicit, documenting my learnings about designing a life that feels as good to live in as it looks on the outside. The architecture of an meaningful life.

When I wrote out my mission statement at the very start of my entrepreneurial journey it read: “To create a world where people wake up motivated, love what they do, and end their day feeling fulfilled.”

Ask me for my why again next quarter and the words will probably change slightly. But for now, I’m keeping these on a stickie on my desktop to read every day. Hopefully it makes creating feel a little easier in the coming months.

❖❈❖

Reflecting on the week of my move and I’m so glad I spent it the way I did. There might have been a few things I should’ve done differently like maybe moving out of my apartment a little earlier so that I wasn’t dealing with move-out details so close to my flight. I would’ve also loved to have my belongings sorted, weighed, and packed at least a few days before my flight rather than packing and repacking up until the night before.

But besides the logistical stress and physical labour, I actually spent most of time just hanging out with loved ones.

I went to a FIFA match with my friend Khayla and discovered that maybe I could be a football fan after all. It never used to be a sport I enjoyed watching but the Canada vs Saudi game couldn’t have been more hype.

My friends also organized the most wholesome surprise send off I could’ve possibly had. I was actually thinking about organizing a small park hang out before I left but decided against it when a few people said they were busy. Turns out they were busy because something was already planned. We barbecued, played spike ball, and just enjoyed a lovely Vancouver summer day. Quite literally exactly what I imagined the perfect send off would be. God I love my friends so much.

If you ever decide to move to a new country on your own, I’d highly recommend booking a private transfer if you can budget for it. I actually went through Air France and booked their concierge service because it was my first time landing in CDG and I’ve heard horror stories about this airport. With the private transfer, the service came out to be about $600 CAD which is steep but well worth the peace of mind I felt navigating a new airport on my own with 3 luggages and a bike box.

If I were to do it again, I’d probably just book the private transfer separately and skip the concierge service. Having someone walk me through the airport and being able to go through priority lines was a plus but unless the airport is massively bottlenecked that day, it just wasn’t worth the extra money.

But having someone meet me outside the baggage claim ready to help with my luggage—that’s a luxury I’d definitely pay for again.

❖❈❖

❖❈❖

Ever since my therapist and I discussed “seasons of life” and how each era of your life requires different versions of you with different priorities and expectations, I’ve loved labeling the seasons as they goes by.

Living in my last apartment in Richmond was my “transition” era. I initially thought I’d only be there for 3-6 months but ended up spending exactly a year in that space. While I furnished it, cried in it, and really lived in it—it never really felt like home. Knowing that it was a transitional spot between leaving Squamish and moving to Paris created an invisible barrier that kept me from getting too comfortable.

(Luckily I had Summer’s home that felt like being home. Thank you.)

In my life planning journal I labeled this current era my “build” era. Beyond just trying to get clearer about where to take my business next, my Paris era also feels like I’m (re)building the foundation of who I am. Not only did I minimize my ability to feel during my last relationship, I also let the essence of who I am slip into the void. Paired with the grief of losing a friend, everything I knew about myself both internally and externally blurred.

My first week in Paris happened to land during the height of the canicule (heatwave). The 40 degree days stripped me of the option to explore, especially with Mika in tow. Our days were limited to 3 outings: a 6 am walk before it got too hot, a quick mid-day park pee, and an evening walk post sunset.

My Parisian apartment is lovely, but it didn’t offer us much reprieve during that week. I’m almost a little embarrassed to admit that I spent most of my days horizontal on the couch, trying not to move around too much and create unnecessary body heat. But instead of seeing that first week as a “failure” (because old me definitely would’ve), I reframed it as a reset.

Even though I spent time with friends and really got to enjoy those glorious first weeks of a Vancouver summer, my nervous system was far from relaxed leading up to the move. So while yes, I wish I could’ve jumped right into exploring Paris, I think my body needed the R&R that the heatwave forced on me.

With the 36+ days fading behind me, a new weekly routine forming, and finally having the desire to wear more than just a tank top and shorts, I’m feeling more myself than I have in a really long time. My Paris era is only temporary but I’m excited to see what version of me comes out of this season.

I’m already planning my next big life adventure but in the meantime, I’m making it a goal to really immerse myself in this one while I still can. How lucky are we to be able to design every version of us that exists? Gosh, I love life.

If you want to see what I’m wearing + doing throughout the week, connect with me on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok!

Angel xo

Here are a few articles that stayed as open tabs this week and now also live in my commonplace journal.

The Nature of Meaningless Work

If your work is feeling meaningless, the key might be to identify why it feels empty. This article breaks down the feeling of “meaningless” into 5 sources, each with their own set of solutions. While jobs will always consist of both meaningful and meaningless tasks and elements, understanding the source can make the vague goal of “purposeful work” feel more achievable.

Loved how the author was able to put words to the feeling and if you’re feeling stuck with work or the idea of “purpose”, this is a great one to read.

Still Wandering

The Nature of Meaningless Work

People know when their work feels meaningless. They can feel it in their body on Sunday evening, in the weight that settles when they think about Monday, in the way time seems to thicken inside the office and move differently than it does elsewhere. The feeling is unmistakable, and most people who have it can tell you with certainty that something is wr…

Read more

7 months ago · 416 likes · 60 comments · Alex McCann

Habits that make you sound more articulate

Having been on YouTube for so long, I’ve had many different eras where I’ve had to consider how articulate I sound. As my content shifted from daily vlogging to more sit down, educational pieces, I quickly realized the importance of learning how to speak in a way where I can explain complex ideas in a clear and easy to understand way.

This article from Milk & Cookies talks about the gap between thinking clearly and speaking clearly and how to bridge that gap. She gives great tips on how to train your brain to be able to create the understanding you need to translate your ideas into words effectively.

milk and cookies

habits that make you sound more articulate

articulation has this quality where it seems like a natural talent some people possess and others don’t, like being musically inclined or having good hand-eye coordination. the person who can express complex ideas clearly and hold attention in conversation appears to have been born with verbal fluency that the rest of us are constantly struggling to app…

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7 months ago · 6933 likes · 71 comments · ayushi thakkar

Create what you’ve been craving

I think about this comparison often—the idea of consumption vs creation. As someone who is (unfortunately) chronically online, I catch myself often justifying my scrolling as “inspiration gathering” since my job is largely based on social media. This article was a great reminder that while yes, gathering inspiration from other artists and creators is one way to motivate yourself, we’re forgetting about a more important source: lived experience.

Thought Garden

Create what you've been craving

As humans we’re not designed to see what every single thing person is up to everywhere in the world, all of the time. It’s the same with being a creative. You’re not meant to see every single person’s creative work, because, like with anything, there comes a point when that spark of inspiration dulls out into overwhelm and fatigue. We have access to mor…

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4 months ago · 535 likes · 12 comments · Isabel Radford

When you’ve outgrown your old life, but haven’t met your new one yet

This one’s for anyone who’s in that “in between” phase. It’s easy to get caught up thinking about where you are not. When in reality, we could all spend more time enjoying the “in-between”. Whether you’re in a straight forward transition (going from one job to another), or you’re done with point A but haven’t figured out point B yet, this is a great perspective-changer read.

A Tini Bit of Advice

When You've Outgrown Your Old Life, But Haven't Met Your New One Yet

A friend once asked me in the spring, “Do you think you could make a million dollars by the end of the year…

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7 months ago · 13961 likes · 564 comments · Jenae Green

Our Café is nothing without the community behind it (aka, YOU!) Would love to know one article that’s been living in your head rent free this week. Send us the link in the comments <3

If you want to see what I’m wearing + doing throughout the week, connect with me on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok!

Angel xo

I’m reporting live from France, a month in, writing this from a road trip through the south of France with . We’re on our last day in Marseille, where we started the morning with my current food fixation (see below). Today was a particularly gloomy day, with bursts of hail storms that were clearly abnormal as every one pulled their phones out while golf balls pelted umbrellas on patios. This weather would usually put me in a funk, but it rolled off the shoulder much easier here. We carried on with our plans, ducking into cafes when it got too wet, walking around Vieux-Port and doing some shopping.

My moving week feels like lifetimes ago and such a difference from the peace and quiet I’ve been enjoying in France. With the purging, packing, and worrying long behind me, I’m finally feeling settled and ready to write.

The struggle behind the move

I’ve been saving the logistics of my move for another article for anyone who might be thinking of doing the same thing. While I did decide on my move over 5 years ago, most of the execution happened in the last 2. Visa decisions, document gathering, understanding how each country’s bureaucracy and timing works, pet relocation research…the list goes on. What the list didn’t account for was the ending of a 4 year relationship and suddenly having to trim a plan that was built for two to now work for just one.

Some things got a little easier. My ex had already used up some of his visas in the past so not having him to worry about meant I actually had more visa options to choose from. I also no longer had to consider where he wanted to live, what he wanted to do, and how to make sure he had a plan too.

Other things felt a lot scarier. The budget was cut in half. The luggage load was suddenly an obstacle. And to be frank, it was hard going from knowing you’d have someone with you to just tackling it all alone. Even something as simple as figuring out where to call an Uber in an airport you haven’t been to before started to sound terrifying. I kept overthinking every little detail hoping that if I just over-planned everything, it would feel less intimidating. I think I just made myself unnecessarily anxious to be honest.

It took me a while to get used to the idea of moving on my own again. There was a line I kept rewriting in my journals as a reminder but also a prayer. “This move was always going to happen, with or without him. It was never meant to be a plan for two. It was always mine.”

Bring back being delusional

While Notion boards and to-do lists helped (a lot), I don’t think this plan would’ve been possible without a healthy dose of delusion as well. I sometimes think that a lot of it felt “easy” because I screamed it into the universe one too many times over the last 5 years. I said it aloud. Told everyone who would listen. Wrote it down religiously. Sometimes it feels like I willed it to happen. And slowly and surely, everything in my life reoriented itself to support it.

I am lucky girl syndrome’s personal PR rep. I honestly have no idea where this irrefutable belief in myself comes from but I wholeheartedly live off the idea that everything will always work out in the end. Maybe because it’s proven to time and time again. I also trust that I’ve earned it.

Looking back now, it amazes me how many things shifted into place without me noticing. I left my downtown apartment and moved in with my ex an hour away from the city. The goal was the experience living together before we made an international move together but it was also the perfect opportunity for both of us to start putting more money aside into our savings.

If that hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t have had the extra bedroom to turn into a studio/office. Being away from the city also meant that I spent a lot more time filming and editing.

Somewhere down the line, I also miraculously got invited to attend the Superbowl with Adidas. I’m not a sports creator. Didn’t even talk about fitness at that point. What made them choose me (a girl who’s never watched a football game in her life) for this insane opportunity? Because of that opportunity, I discovered what it felt like to be in a room filled with young, ambitious, creatives and feel like I actually belong. This ended up being the final push I needed to quit my full-time job in tech.

Had I not moved in with my ex, I also wouldn’t have realized just how incompatible and toxic we really were for each other. While the hopeless romantic in me once believed that a change in environment could’ve made a difference for our dynamic, the reality is doing this move on my own was the best thing that could’ve happened to me.

None of these events were ever on a to-do list yet they all sneakily led me to exactly where I needed to be to wholeheartedly do this move.

Teodoraa phrases is perfectly in her article: “What you focus on grows, not because the bad disappears, but because it stops being the only narrator in the room.”

If that isn’t pure magic, I don’t know what is.

Since I’ve been here

Life in France has been a dream but anything but perfect. On the day I arrived, there was an animal transport ban after 1pm so the relocation agency could no longer bring Mika to our Airbnb. A minor panic attack and many phone calls later, I was thankfully able to book a last minute car service just for her. A week and a half in, I locked my keys in my apartment. Shoutout to Google Translate for coming in clutch while I negotiated with a local locksmith entirely in beginner French. Oh and did I mention I arrived during the height of the canicule? It was 40 degrees on my second day and my single floor fan was working very VERY hard.

I’m sure there will be more mishaps. More things that feel extra hard to handle alone. But hard things don’t feel as hard when you’re where you’re supposed to be. Being in France still feels a bit like a fever dream but it also feels like the foundation of a new kind of security. A confirmation that I was kind of right all along…that everything always works out in the end.

All that is to say—I will be writing to you from France for at least the next few months. I’m in this magical phase of my life where I’m just going where the road takes me. And even if this season’s figs drop and rot, I know more will grow in following seasons so long as I keep watering the tree.

Here’s to doing that.

If you want to see what I’m wearing + doing throughout the week, connect with me on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok!

Angel xo

I let myself sink a little deeper into the couch. The glorious sound of my friends chatting away filled me with warmth as my vision softened around the edges. passed around her newest snack plate that she’d carefully assembled. Predictably, we all reach for the sweets first.

“Have you been to the new restaurant on Commerical yet?”

“You know who I randomly bumped into the other day?”

“Do you ever think about…”

This is the exact equation that makes the rest of my life fade out of focus without fail. The noise from the week quieted. My shoulders released the day’s worries. Without trying, we’ve somehow created a magical bubble of peace where nothing urgent can find us.

Nothing beats the feeling of our friendships settling into its familiar rhythm. Topics overlap. We double or triple back. There’s an unspoken understanding that whatever gets shared won’t be judged, criticized, or rejected (at least not seriously).

It’s one of the only places we have the promise of security and safety no matter what. A space where each of us can show up however we want.

Crazy to think that just over a year ago my body’s idea of “safety” and “comfort” looked completely different. Last year marked the final year of a recurring relationship that’s taken far too much of my life. I spent a few years calling conditional love and an underlying feeling of dread “home”. Every time I was asked about my relationship, I jumped to defend what I thought was “a great love”. I think I was also trying to protect the idea that I deserved that kind of love.

Each time warmth was met with silence, meals were skipped to avoid each other, and voices were raised, I sank into myself a little further. Like moths, each interaction ate away at the fabric of my being. It’s shocking to now look back and see just how fractured I had become.

The most shocking part is that my friends had been there all along. They’ve been showing me for over a decade what safe love looks and feels like. My mistake was not knowing how to recognize it. My brain kept confusing unpredictability for intimacy because unpredictability was what it had practiced since childhood. It took me far too long to break that pattern.

A year after leaving that home, I’m sitting on an entirely different couch in a new apartment that just so happens to be on a new continent as well. I spent my last week in Vancouver bumming around various friends’ couches, soaking in the closeness. The conversations haven’t changed much. Summer’s snack plates get more exotic. Cathleen still providing motherly advice on all things to do with men. I still reach for the sweets first.

What’s changed is that my body stopped bracing for love to disappear. Even now, being 8,000 kilometers away, I feel unconditionally supported by each of the women that I love. As I build new routines in a new life that I chose to pursue, I feel more open to love now than I have in the last decade.

For years I’ve wondered why I can’t seem to get love right. It turns out I’ve had it right for so much longer.

It lived on living room couches, was passed across snack plates, and was tucked away in ordinary conversations with women who never asked me to earn my place beside them.

I know I’ll go so much further now that I know what home should feel like.

If you want to see what I’m wearing + doing throughout the week, connect with me on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok!

Angel xo

April

2026 has unfolded both in the most unexpected way and exactly how I imagined. I’m writing this month’s wrapped from a Blue Bottle cafe tucked away on a corner in Wan Chai in Hong Kong. Looking out to coral, fuschia, and blue grey buildings outside, my mind drifts to a completely different set of architecture I’ll be looking at in a month.

It’s a little hard to catch my breath as I think about how big my life has gotten this year. In April I finally was able to book my French embassy appointment. After waiting months to even be able to book an appointment, I’m now the proud holder of a 1-year visa for France. I’ve been dreaming up my move to Europe for nearly 6 years now.

6 years of envisioning a life that’s drastically different from the one I grew up in.

6 years of visualizing my European apartment.

6 years of slowly building out what the rest of my life would look like.

While I know receiving this visa is only the first (very small) step to building this life that I’ve been dreaming up, it’s the first concrete step that I’ve taken in a long time and I can’t help but feel a little closer.

I also went to LA in April to attend the Canva Create conference and to spend some quality time with a close girlfriend of mine. I’ve been catching myself having rather out of body experiences as I find myself traveling nearly every month. Sometimes I take a step back and look at my own life in awe—how did I get to this place where I can travel for work AND for pleasure. Where I’m in control of my workload and schedule. Where it feels like my future is completely within my own control?

The theme of April was noticing all the areas of my life that 8 year old me would be in awe of. The traveling, being able to do an international move, my amazing group of friends, being able to pursue love so freely—the list is endless.

I’m hoping to put together a more detailed letter soon on all the planning that’s gone into my Paris move next month so stay tuned! Until then, here’s everything else that’s happened in April.

Loving

YSL Blush

With all my traveling this year, this has been my go-to blush that I’ve kept in my make up case no matter where I’m going. The pigmentation is insane and it gives such a beautiful healthy glow to your skin. I have it in 44 Nude Lavalliere.

Nars Concealer

While my Merit Complexion Stick has been my go-to base for years, I’ve been enjoying a really natural look lately so I’ve actually been using my Nars Soft Matte Concealer rather than doing a full-face base. It blends like a dream and rarely ever leaves dry patches which is ideal for my combination skin.

Following a training plan

This has been the first year I’ve really set any REAL fitness goals for myself (I’m running 31km in May for my 31st birthday and my first half marathon in October). Which means it’s the first time I’ve had a reason to create a specific training plan to work towards that goal.

I’ve been loving Runna for my running goals which also now has a feature for you to add strength training sessions, pilates sessions, and stretch sessions to your plan. (use code ANGEL for 2 weeks free)

Consuming

Shrinking

I started this show when I was at the start of my grieving process last year. This show couldn’t have come at a better time—bringing a tiny bit of light and comedic relief to an otherwise fucked up situation. Now it’s a major source of comfort for me.

Hunting Wives

put and I on Hunting Wives and you know what—it’s exactly the kind of brain rot that I needed this month. Nothing beats a gold ol’ dramatic murder mystery.

Making

Felt really proud that I got to work with the Singapore Tourism Board during my visit in March. It’s projects like these that make me wonder how I got SO lucky with my career that I get to get involved with the most incredible teams. Here’s the video if you want to check it out!

Snapping

If you want to see what I’m wearing + doing throughout the week, connect with me on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok!

Angel xo

March

This episode of our monthly wrapped letters is coming to you (extremely late) from my couch while I spend my 3rd horizontal day in a row. I attended a tech conference last week and unfortunately caught a nasty chest bug that’s left me gasping for air and coughing my lungs out since the weekend.

The silver lining? Finally taking the time to catch up projects outside of work (like this Substack!)

Every once in a while, something happens in life that feels a little bit…suspicious. It feels a little too easy, too frictionless, and almost too good to be true. And of course me, being the hyper-introspective (slightly neurotic) person that I am, starts to question everything.

Does this feel extra good because last year was so bad?

Am I over-romanticizing this experience?

Is this experience authentic?

When will the other shoe drop?

That’s kind of what March felt like. A bit of a fever dream, but one that’s some how lasted into April and doesn’t seem like it’s going anywhere…

Definitely still processing these feelings but thankfully my favorite way to process is by writing so stay tuned for my unfiltered thoughts in the form of an essay.

I spent half of March away on the most spontaneous trip ever. At the end of February I decided to book a ticket to Singapore to visit some friends. Singapore is one of those cities that’s been on my list for ages but it’s taken me years to prioritize. The city definitely surprised me—it’s such a melting pot of expats and cultures and while it largely still feels like an Asian city, it also felt very international. I can see why young professionals move there—life feels comfortable and safe there.

I also visited Kuala Lumpur during my Singapore stint and then tagged on San Francisco on my way home as well. It was so nice to get some travel out of the way before I hand my passport over to the French Embassy to process my France Visa (eek! more on this soon). A lot of this month’s loves were things that have become a holy grail when traveling.

Loving

Romi lip treat oil

I first tried this back in December when a friend of my gifted me one for Christmas. Picked up another one while I was in Singapore and I love this colour even more. I got it in Rosewood this time and it’s the perfect nude pink.

Saie powder foundation

I started using Saie products last year when Janice introduced me to them but of everything I’ve tried from them so far, the Slip Tint Baked Setting Powder was the one that stuck. I still use my Merit Complexion stick as my concealer/foundation but now I use this powder on top for a little more blur and coverage. If your skin is clearer than mine, you could honestly use this as your base coverage as well, it’s light and buildable.

Mnesis scent

I love bringing a single scent on a trip to tie that scent to a specific place or memory. I brought Mnesis to Singapore which was the perfect tea-inspired addition to the trip. Although I will say, I had to respray quite a few times throughout the day being in the Singapore heat. But to be fair, I don’t think any perfume would’ve lasted me long in those temperatures.

Poppy AI

I’ve been testing out Poppy AI as an AI tool for creativity and have fallen in love with the unique structure of the tool. Rather than just being a chat-based tool, Poppy AI allows you to have an infinite art board where you can paste links, videos, documents, voice notes, images, and other elements for it read and analyze.

You can then link elements to a chat and get AI to use the information taken from those elements as context for your instructions and questions.

It’s honestly been a blessing when it comes to understanding my own content better and I cannot recommend it enough.

Consuming

Not quite sure what’s gotten into me this year but I’ve been on a major reading slump and still haven’t been able to make it out. I have however been watching more films (which was one of my goals anyways) so here’s what March entailed:

Her

When I heard that Her was supposed to be Spike Jonze’ response to Sophia Coppola’s Lost in Translation, I immediately added it to my Letterboxd. Not sure how I’m only learning about this movie now because as I was watching it, I realized I’ve seen so many stills on tumblr from WAY back in the day.

Her follows Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) as he develops a relationship with his AI operating system. (This doesn’t seem like a stretch in today’s day and age except that Her was released January 10, 2014!!) Of all the movies I’ve seen on people having relationships with AI, this some how felt the most realistic and the most touching as well.

For me, it prompted a greater question around love and companionship as well. It felt layered in an uncomplicated way and is one I would definitely rewatch time and time again.

I, Tonya

I’m a little sad that I watched Christy before I, Tonya because I think I would’ve enjoyed this one more had I seen it first. I, Tonya was actually released back in 2017 and again, I’m shocked I’m only learning about it now.

I love that these incredible women’s stories are being highlighted but it also breaks my heart that the common thread between them are abusive and manipulative relationships. I, Tonya tells the story of Tonya Harding, the first American woman to land a triple axel in Skating, and her career downfall when her ex-husband gets involved.

Absolutely adored Margot Robbie’s acting in this one but whether it’s because Christy was too similar (and fresh on my mind) OR the story just didn’t hit as hard, I didn’t love this one.

Nomadland

Man, this one really hit. There’s a melancholic tension held throughout the film that poked at a deep ache I’ve yet to explore. Our MC Fern restarts her life at 60 as a van-dwelling nomad after losing everything during the Great Recession. Her journey stirs up a range of feelings as you watch her struggle with money, finding work, and her van breaking down, while also catching glimpses of the joy and freedom of nomadic life. It doesn’t feel like you’re meant to pity her. If anything, there’s something deeply relatable here for anyone who’s experienced a loss so great that it isolated them from the world.

Repeating

I’ve had Theo Katzman on repeat since January and this was definitely March’s anthem. Oh the yearning.

Snapping

I can feel my eyes glazing over ever so slightly as I watch the rain hit the already wet sidewalk to the beat of MGMT. Every time the door opens, an icy breeze creeps in, reminding everyone that it’s not quite spring. Thankfully, the inside of Finch’s café feels like a warm haven from the soggy weather. I’m all cozied up in a wool peacoat (yes, I’m still wearing it indoors), I’ve eaten my favorite sandwich (pepper salami from said café), and feeling more ready than ever to tackle my digital reset.

The next chapter to our spring reset series is coming a month later, partially because I’ve been mentally avoiding having to do this tedious portion, but truthfully also because I went traveling spontaneously in March and forgot all about it.

Now that I’m settled in my home city again, it feels like the right time to build back my spring reset momentum.

If you missed part 1, we tackled our physical space first (because as my ex’s dragon lady aunt used to say, “cluttered space = cluttered mind”) so if your space needs a reset, check it out here.

What makes up your digital environment

Before we dive into the decluttering and organizing, it’s important to map out what your digital environment actually looks like. I typically sort mine by device and then by Internal and External files systems and files.

I personally have 3 devices

• Macbook

• iPhone

• iPad

Each of which have their own apps and photos and files to sort through.

Then “externally” I have hard drives, iCloud storage, Google storage (which includes Google Photos, Gmail, and Google Drive), as well as apps like Notion and Akiflow which hold files and entries as well. I also use Obsidian as a knowledge database but I cleaned that out recently so it’s been excluded here.

How to tackle the decluttering

While yes, you can just dive right in and start mass-deleting stuff to clear out memory, I do like to try to be a little strategic about how I declutter. I want to cull with organization in mind. It’s easy to go in and just hit ctrl + alt + dlt but if I can create a system to hold on to some memories digitally, why wouldn’t I?

Personally I like to start externally and then move internally. This is because when I get to the files and photos that live locally on my devices, there are going to be things I want to archive into either a cloud storage system or my external hard drive. Before I start moving things over, I want to make sure that those systems are well categorized so that I know exactly where things should go.

Part of the perks of being a paid subscriber is that you get expanded versions of certain articles! Below the paywall, you’ll find:

• My digital file naming and organization system

• Tools I use to maintain my digital environment

• How to keep your digital environment organized throughout the year + a checklist

• One bonus category we should all go through

Read more

Although February is our shortest month, it always feels like the slowest. Maybe it has to do with Chinese New Years and how friends and family are all preoccupied with their own new years traditions. Since my parents have moved away, I have far less events around this time which is a nice change after the rush of January.

February brought a lot of “feel good” moments. Deeper conversations, slower nights after work, and discovering that my body is capable of so much more than I thought. There were also (too) many moments of self doubt, frustration, and over-intellectualizing spaced out in between. It’s easy to just talk about positive moments but in reality there were just as many moments that felt shaky and uncertain. But here we are in March, still standing strong. That’ll always be something worth celebrating to me.

At the end of each month, I always do a month-in-review / next month’s planning in my journal. I use the review portion to think about what went well, what could’ve gone better, and the things I was the most grateful for. Then I always do a wheel of life evaluation before I dive into setting intentions for the next month. (Let me know if you want me to share my monthly journaling reflection in detail and I can do that in a separate post!)

I did share some reflective prompts for journaling more intentionally earlier in the month which is how I’ve been trying to shape and guide my thoughts. I loved this interview response from Eileen Gu where she talks about how she sometimes feels like a scientist inside her own brain, just tinkering away at her thoughts so that she can become who she wants to be.

In a way I’m always trying to do the same (with varying levels of success). The frame work really is this: think, observe, label, reframe, move on. Similar to the RULER framework, developed by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, by understanding and expressing how we’re feeling, or in this case what we’re (over)thinking, it creates the space we need to actually process the thing and move past it. Definitely a WIP but a mindset that I’m hoping to carry into March and the rest of the year.

March will be all about simplicity, but that’s a whole other article on it’s own.

Loving

Doson by Diptyque

I bought a 10mL of this last year and never really got around to wearing it. As far as light, bright white florals go, Ilha do Mel by Memo Paris is still one of my holy grails. I’ve finally decided to branch out and have added quite a few new white floral masterpieces to my collection and Doson is definitely one of them.

It wears as an airy, almost fluffy white floral with a hint of the tea note that you get with jasmine sometimes but still maintaining quite a bright feeling. It’s a great one for spring but honestly I love it so much I’d wear it all year round.

Midori A5 MD Notebook

To be truthful, the Itoya A5 dotted notebook still has my heart but I stupidly didn’t restock the last time I was in Japan so the Midori has been my stand in for now. The paper quality is great but doesn’t write quite as smooth as the Itoya. But it is widely available which is a huge plus.

Physical planners

I can’t pinpoint exactly why I decided to go back to having a physical planner but I’ve been loving having it back in my work ecosystem. While I still do all of my time-blocking within Akiflow and project organization within Notion, my day-to-day / week-to-week todos are now living within my Filofax. More on this soon!

Consuming

Wuthering Heights

After watching “Wuthering Heights” with , I knew I needed to read the book so that I can make a proper comparison for myself. I enjoyed the movie for what it was—a campy, fun, sexy take on a classic adaptation. There were parts that I loved and parts that I didn’t but overall I left the the theatre feeling like I had a good time (minus the BAWLING I did in the last 10 minutes).

I’ve been reading and listening to Wuthering Heights on Bookwise, a new reading app that I’ve been invited to test. I’ll definitely give a more in-depth review once I’m done but so far I am enjoying how accurately ridiculous movie Cathy was compared to book Cathy.

The Lobster

I stumbled across this movie on Letterboxd and found out it was directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, the same Director that did Bugonia recently. This was an absurdist, dystopian story that pokes fun at our societal needs of being in a relationship. In this world, single people are sent to stay at a hotel where they have 45 days to find a mate and be coupled up. If you aren’t able to meet that deadline, you’re turned into an animal permanently and sent back into the world. The only other option is escaping into the woods and living as a “single” where you’re an outcast from society, constantly being hunted, and banned from having any forms of a relationship with another person.

This film starkly contrasts that deep yearning love that I usually crave from movies about relationships which made it quite a thoughtful watch for me. Without spoiling too much, the ending scene really prompts you think about whether we’re chasing love for the right reasons.

Eternity

The premise of this movie still lives in my head rent free (so much so that I’m working on a separate post on it altogether). In the afterlife, Joan is faced with the insane choice of spending eternity with the husband she spent with life with or her first love, who died in the war, shortly after they were married. It’s SO interesting hearing different people’s perspectives on the choice they would’ve made and why. I love how the movie explores that big question of do you go with what you know or explore the “what if” because it’s one that shows up over and over in our lives in so many different ways. Anyways, I have SO many thoughts so I’ll be sharing that soon.

Repeating

My running journey

To everyone who enjoyed my article on how I (unintentionally) became a runner, here’s my update: I am completely and utterly obsessed. At the time of writing that article (January), I set the goal to running a 5k without stopping and running a 10k for the year. We’re in March now and 5kms have become my easy runs and I run at least 10k every weekend. My longest run so far has been 14km!!

I could honestly go on and on about why it’s grown on me so much but here’s the quick summary:

• I feel incredibly powerful being able to tackle distances I never thought I would do in my entire life. I’m currently aiming to run 31km on my 31st birthday in May.

• Having a running training plan builds self-trust and discipline. I absolutely LOVE the Runna app* and how practical and realistic it makes running feel. No matter what goal you’re working towards, they’ll create a progressive plan that meets you at whatever your fitness level is.

• I physically feel so much fitter. In the same way progressive overloading at the gym shows you that you’re getting stronger, when distances that felt impossible start feeling easy, it’s such a clear sign of your fitness improving. And boy does that feel good.

I’ve definitely learned a lot in the last two months (and I’m still learning more about running every day) so if you’d like an updated article about my running journey, please let me know!

*I actually love Runna so much I outreached them to see if I could land an affiliate code. So if you want two weeks free of their paid plan which allows you to set a custom goal, use code ANGEL when you sign up!

Blueberry yogurt bowl

Increasing my monthly workouts by 900% (LITERALLY) has meant that I’ve had to change how I nourish my body as well. Especially when it comes to running, I’ve had to learn how to fuel my body before and after so make sure I have the energy to tackle 10+ km of running and give my body what it needs to recover.

I’m definitely a hyper-fixation eater (it’s SO hard for me to get sick of a dish) and this month I’ve been eating this blueberry granola yogurt bowl for breakfast or for a mid day snack (sometimes both). All you need is:

• Yogurt (I use Siggi’s vanilla high-protein or plain Skyr yogurt for a protein boost)

• Frozen blueberries (the frozen ones turn the mixture into an ice cream consistency)

• Granola of your choice (I love any of the ones from Terra)

• Chia seeds

• Honey (optional but I like a small small drizzle when I use plain yogurt)

Delicious AND good for you. You really can’t go wrong.

Snapping

Last year was heavy in so many different ways that I can still feel the phantom weight aching my shoulders. It’s probably why my soul is craving order, simplicity, and security in a way it never has before. While the slowness of February surfaced some old anxieties, it was also a reminder that there’s still a lot of 2025 cobwebs to sweep up in corners of my mind I haven’t visited in a while.

It’s easy to reduce simplicity to a single image: a cleared surface, an empty shelf, less stuff. And yes, that’s part of it. But when I actually sat down and mapped out where I wanted more simplicity in my life, the picture got more interesting. Clear values and priorities. Cleaner goals. More authenticity in how I express what I’m actually feeling. Delegating more. Less noise in every sense of the word.

Which brings me to March and what I’m actually doing with all this. With both western new years and lunar new years out of the way, March feels like the right moment to step into a new chapter. The shift in season always feels like a welcome change as well. As I’m finally shaking off the last of that sleepy winter feeling, here’s how I’m breaking down my spring cleaning:

Physical space - Aka decluttering and reorganizing so that I feel more set up for the year

Digital space - Making sure my files are organized, I’m culling any unused apps and subscriptions, and moving everything to external storage options so that my devices aren’t bogged down

Mental space - This is where we get to those cobwebs. Are there any unclosed loops still hanging around? How do we wrap them up?

The plan is to break this out into 3 articles where we tackle each of those spaces individually. I’m going to be sharing how exactly I’m planning on resetting, tips that I’ve learned over the years, and the feeling we want coming out of it. Starting with…

Physical space

Since last year, I’ve been living with a bit of an ambiguous mindset when it comes to my physical space. Keeping it cozy and visually inspiring still matters to me but I’m also planning for an international move, which means that at some point, everything has to go. That transitional feeling has left me feeling like I’m one foot in and one foot out of my current apartment.

What this means in practice is that I’m being more intentional than ever about what I bring into my home. Everything now passes through an additional filter: will I actually take this with me? And when it comes to culling, I’m doing it with a lot more intensity than I might have in previous years.

Decluttering

When it comes to the actual process of decluttering, I personally find it more effective to go category by category rather than room by room. This small distinction gives me a more functional look at the things I own rather than just looking at where they’re stored. For example, I’ll go through all of my filming gear as one category. That way I can easily see where I may have excess to trim or gaps to fill.

From there, the question for each item is simple: do I actually need this? Not “might I need this someday” or “I should probably keep this just in case”—but genuinely need it, use it, want it in my life.

If the answer isn’t a clear yes, it goes.

Part of the perks of being a paid subscriber is that you get expanded versions of certain articles! Below the paywall, you’ll find:

• A decluttering game I’ve tried and loved

• How I make decisions around what to keep and what to cull

• My thought process around reorganizing after the cull

• The feeling I chase with any reset

Read more

Writing is therapy. It always has been for me and most likely always will be.

I started journaling when I was 10 years old in a pink and white journal with a lock that my dad picked up for me at a garage sale. I instantly romanticized the idea of it. Writing about my life in a space that was wholly my own? Magic.

The problem? I was 10! I had no life to write about.

So instead I made up stories, friends, situations that my child brain thought was cool and interesting. (Thinking back, this was probably the earliest memory I have of developing an idea of what “cool” meant to me). This silly start to my writing journey is probably why I still use my journal today to dump thoughts and recount my day. When something feels off, when something good happens, when feelings get too much, or when my thoughts get too messy—I’m writing about it.

I love my journaling practice with a passion and I still believe it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself. But this year I want to build on that habit and turn it into something that supports my growth and not just my pain.

@angelzzhengSome journaling prompts that I’ll be using this week 🫶🏼 hope this gives you some ideas of what to write about #journalwithme#journalingprompts #journaling #journal #journaltok #writingtok #journalideas

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I started sharing journaling prompts on Instagram and TikTok a year ago but fell off because I stopped using them myself. Recently I’ve found myself wanting to dig deeper in some of the key areas of my life and nurturing this deep desire to grow. I hit rock bottom in so many ways last year so now that it feels like I can finally breathe again, I’m itching to ride the momentum. So if you’ve also been in an era where you feel like you’re on the cusp of figuring out a new layer of yourself to love and work on, here are the journaling prompts that I’m currently using to push deeper.

What are the key areas?

A practice that I started a couple years ago (that I still do every month) is the Wheel of Life exercise. I use this every time I’m looking to reflect on how I’m really doing. I’m a firm believer that you can’t get to where you want to go if you don’t know where you are right now and the Wheel of Life really is a tool to help you do just that.

To put it in the simplest way, think of your life as 9 categories.

I usually write out the categories in 3 columns. Body, mind, soul in the first one. Career, finance, purpose in the second one. And then friendships, family, love in the last.

The three columns to me separate out my health, my work, and my relationships.

Under each category, start by giving yourself a satisfaction score out of 10. Taking the ‘body’ category for example, if I’m feeling good about my fitness routine, my body, and my diet, I’d give it a 9/10.

Sometimes I’ll take it a step further and write 1-2 sentences on why I gave that rating. Then underneath that I’ll write out what I want to do about it.

So if my ‘body’ category is a 9/10, I can also write ‘I’ve finally built working out into my daily routine and it feels like a no brainer to do every day. I would like to continue this momentum and focus on training my body to be stronger’.

I typically like to do a Wheel of Life review at the start of each month but you can also conduct them weekly, quarterly, or annually.

Journaling prompts for the month

When do I feel the most like myself?

What do I keep tolerating that I’ve outgrown?

What does “a good life” mean to me today (not in theory)?

What does “strong” mean to me—physically and mentally?

What feels like “home” to my nervous system?

What am I overcomplicating?

What would I attempt if failure had no social consequence?

In love (or future love), what do I need most: steadiness, play, honesty, tenderness, growth, or freedom? (Or something else?)

When I imagine a truly healthy relationship, what scares me about it?

What’s working in my life that I’m not giving enough credit to?

What would I do if I trusted myself 10% more?

What makes me feel alive in a quiet way?

How do you make your journaling practice more intentional? I’d love to know.

You can also support my work by buying me a coffee! (The caffeine is highly appreciated <3)

You might also enjoy

January

I mentioned in my December Wrapped that the end of the year felt oddly like an ending, a middle, and a beginning all wrapped into one. While I’m not typically a supporter of New Year resolutions, I do feel like the start of the year signifies a reset.

This is the first year (maybe ever) that’s felt like a proud continuation of what I had started the year before. I’ve finally embedded fitness into my lifestyle, I let go of a relationship that was LONG overdue, and everything I’ve been building towards is slowly rolling into motion.

January for me started at the largest tech conference in the world, CES. I did not think it was going to be on my 2026 bingo card but after finding out I can get a all-access media pass to the conference, I decided fuck it I’m going to self-sponsor a trip and see what the conference has to offer.

Tech has been a huge part of my life and content for as long as I can remember and being able to take myself to Vegas to attend this conference felt like a milestone I didn’t realize even realize I could accomplish. I’m not great at stopping to smell the flowers so here’s me publicly celebrating this moment for a second 🎉

While I was still at CES, a friend of mine invited me to Japan to ski. 24 hours later flights and accommodations were booked and I had 4 days between going home from CES to unpack, reset, get some work done, and pack for Japan.

2026 started as a whirlwind and while motivationally I’m planning on maintaining the momentum, these two trips posed as two very distinct reminders of what I need from this year. CES was fast-paced, intense, and inspirational. It taught me that there’s still a world of opportunities I have yet to tap into and that there is no ceiling to what I can achieve. Japan taught me that there’s beauty and joy to be found in the simplest moments. And was a lovely reminder of how fun it is to get to know a new human deeply.

Needless to say, January was an absolute blast and I have a feeling this year will continue to surprise me with core memories in all areas of my life. I hope the start of the year has served you in the way you need as well. I can’t wait to share more on here soon x.

Loving

Running

I can’t believe how well-received my article on learning how to run was! I was honestly a little embarrassed to write it as being a beginner runner can feel intimidating and isolating at times. It makes me so happy that so many of you are also just starting this journey (or are considering it). I’ve absolutely fallen in love with running and plan on continuing my Runna training plan to see where I can take it. If you’d like me to keep writing about it, comment and let me know!

Davinci Resolve

I’ve been a lifelong Premiere Pro girl but made the switch last year and have a hard time going back. Probably not a tool everyone would need but if you’re ever wanting to dive into the art of video editing more, I’d highly recommend giving Davinci a try!

Garmin Forerunner 570

It’s probably a little early to say that I love this since I finally switched over to the Garmin just under 2 weeks ago. I promised myself that once I ran my first comfortable 5K, that I’d upgrade my fitness watch. I had the Apple Watch series 6 before and found that it was constantly giving me tracking issues due to the darker tattoo I have on my wrist. The battery life also absolutely sucked so I was considering the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and a Garmin.

So far the Garmin has had NO issues with tracking even with my tattoo and the week long battery life really is a game changer. I can’t wait to see how else I can use it to enhance my fitness journey.

Consuming

Singles Inferno

Yes I’ve been back on my Singles Inferno game and man it’s just so entertaining. Is anyone else here an absolute simp for Min-gee? She’s so cool.

Lemon by Kwon Yeo-sun

I DNF-ed Death of a Bookseller by Alice Slater this month, not because it was a bad book but it just wasn’t what I felt like reading. I started Lemon by Kwon Yeo-Sun in it’s stead and am really enjoying it so far. It’s a short one so I think it’s the perfect book to kick start my reading for this year.

Starting

I’ve got not one, but TWO really exciting projects that I’m working on for 2026. One is something special for —something that allows and I to continue to foster inspiring and fun spaces for our community even while we’re in separate cities. I’m also working on my first big event for a corporate brand which is not something I ever thought I’d be doing but here we are!

While being a creator was never my end goal, it has opened up so many doors for me and allowed me to meet the most incredible people. Definitely taking a different approach to my business this year and I’m excited to see where it takes me.

Repeating

Tender Defender by Theo Katzman

This song had me in an absolute chokehold this month. First off, the name is hilarious—so quirky yet sweet. Theo Katzman is still an artist that I’m discovering slowly but all the songs I’ve listened to so far have been addictive.

Snapping

December

The last month of the year felt like an ending, a middle, and a beginning all at once. I've been quiet on Substack this month, wrapping up too many projects, but also prioritizing offline time with friends. This is (hopefully) the last winter I'll spend as a Vancouver resident, so I've been making the most of my remaining time with friends and the proximity to nature I've taken for granted over the past few years. It's also the first month my breakup has felt complete—like all the personal work I've been doing since June has finally culminated in real clarity, healing, and growth. There are still pieces I'm picking up and putting back together, which I'm ready to work at and be patient with. But I'm really happy with where I'm at, and I haven't felt like this in a long time.

I keep seeing—and loving—posts on Instagram that say, “This is how life sounds when you’re not starting over for the new year, you’re just continuing the process you’ve already been living.” This is also the first year in many where winter hasn’t felt hard. It hasn’t felt depressing, exhausting, or dark. Three years ago, I decided to try to beat SAD, and maybe I’m finally getting somewhere. Or maybe I’ve finally removed myself from the circumstances that were keeping me anchored in unhappiness. Either way this December feels like a middle, like I’m already on my way to an amazing 2026.

Loving

MOFT leather phone case

I did upgrade to the iPhone 17 Pro Max this year and can confidently say the photo quality was well worth the jump. The protect this unnecessarily expensive piece of tech, I’ve really been enjoying the MOFT vegan leather case in Navy Blue. The quality is amazing and it looks great paired with any of the new iPhone colours.

Saie slip tint baked setting powder

I finally finished the Laneige Neo Blurring powder which has been my favorite over the last 3 years so I thought I’d try something new. Janice swears by this Saie baked powder and I totally understand the hype now. It wears beautifully over make up and adds a little extra coverage to anything you’re wearing. It also looks great on it’s own for those “no make up” make up days. Definitely a new fave.

Logitech MX Master 4

I’m a die hard fan of the Logitech MX Master mouse series so as soon as I found out they released a new one, I ordered it immediately. The MX Master 3s was by far my favorite mouse I’ve ever used and I will say it was slightly more comfortable for my hand size. The MX Master 4 feels a little larger which took a day to get used to but the multi-use button that gives you an action ring (like their creative console does) is definitely a bonus for us shortcut warriors. The haptic feedback is also fun change but I haven’t found it particularly useful yet.

Consuming

The Housemaid

Watched The Housemaid with since she’s back in town and it definitely fuelled my “smash the patriarchy” mindset some more. It was a fun watch if you’re looking for some woman-power energy.

Thirst Trap by Gráinne O’Hare

I’m such a believer that the universe brings you the exact books you need when you need them. I had a week in December where grief was feeling extra hard so I picked this book up as a “light read”. Little did I know, it would tackle some of the feelings that I’ve been trying to understand in myself in a lighthearted, funny way and ended up being the perfect comedic relief to my tough week.

Repeating

Running

If you told me at the start of 2025 that I’d end up loving running I would’ve laughed in your face. I’ve always hated cardio so I’m still not entirely sure what made me want to start running this year. I have a suspicion that it’s because life felt so out of control and crazy this year that I needed to prove that I could take on hard things. Even if I hated it. Even if I thought I’d never get through it.

Either way, it’s gone from challenging, the therapeutic, to something I look forward to weekly. This just proves that we really can be anyone we want to be if we really want it.

If you’ve also been curious about running (or maybe am just inundated with running content on social media like I’ve been), I shared some of the things that got me into it in last week’s post.

Olivia Dean

Much like the rest of the world, I’ve had Ms. Olivia Dean on repeat since November. I keep finding songs of hers that describe how I’m feeling to the T but The Hardest Part and Be My Own Boyfriend have been the two that I listen to the most. Is it that obvious that I’m in my healing era?

Starting

I know we don’t love social media on here but I am trying to look at my relationship with content and social media differently. In December, I started a new Reel series that I actually feel quite proud of. The series was inspired by Jonas Luskey’s journaling videos and how vulnerable he gets with his writing.

I’ve been sharing more personal stories and feelings here and on my journaling Substack, Of Late, so I finally decided to bring some of those glimpses into my life to Instagram.

I’m honestly blown away at the feedback I’ve gotten so far and it feels motivating (but also a little heartbreaking??) to know so many people can relate with how I feel. This series feels near and dear to my heart and is something I want to continue working on this year as I continue to figure out what content feels the most authentic to me.

Snapping

If you told me at the start of 2025 that I’d start running, I would have laughed in your face. In fact, my friends asked me to walk the Sun Run, a 10k race in Vancouver and I did laugh in their face. I’ve always hated running. We were required to run 1.2 kms at the start of every PE class in high school and I’d take the short cut every time or take the entire 13 minutes they gave us to do them. I could count the number of times I used the treadmill at my gym on one hand.

And yet, here I am. First week of January, running 3-4 times a week. Voluntarily. In the COLD (I think I hate the cold even more than running tbh). And the craziest part? I actually look forward to it.

I actually did my first run in March of 2025. I was going through a a period where I felt a strong itch to change something. Looking back, what I needed was to leave my relationship at the time but alas, my avoidant tendencies kicked in and I went with running instead.

That first run felt like hell. I tried to follow a Nike Running Club Couch to 5K program and man, they do not mess around. I’m honestly still learning that runs aren’t meant to be hard—that if it feels hard, you’re pushing yourself too much. The aftermath was even worse. My hips, knees, calves, and feet felt like I’d been hit by a tornado and I could barely walk for the rest of the week.

I’m honestly surprised I didn’t give up at that point.

But looking back, I think I know why I didn’t. Life felt completely out of control at the time. Work was chaotic, my personal life was a mess, and I was carrying this low-grade anxiety that I couldn’t shake. Everything felt hard in a way I couldn’t do anything about. But running? Running was hard in a way I could control. It was something I could choose to do, choose to push through, choose to show up for.

I needed to prove to myself that I could do a hard thing without giving up. That I could push through discomfort when it actually mattered. I needed to feel like if I could do this, I could go back to being the person I wanted to be in other areas of my life too.

So I went to The Running Room, brought proper sneakers and ran again. Slower this time. With a plan and a little more grace for myself.

While I still can’t confidently call myself “a runner”, I don’t think you have to be to start running. I’m not training for a marathon, I’m not trying to hit a certain pace. I just want to be fitter, stronger, and more disciplined. I want to continue the journey I started last year and remind myself that I am the version of me I always knew I could be.

Here’s what I’ve learned so far—and what I wish someone had told me before I started.

It sounds cheesy but starting is truly the hardest part. Not because running itself is that difficult (though it will feel awful at first), but because we overthink it. We think we need to be in better shape before we start. We think we need expensive gear. We think we need to know what we’re doing.

But really? You just need to show up. Everything else, you figure out along the way.

So if you’re thinking about starting—if you’re curious but skeptical, or if you’ve tried before and it didn’t stick—here’s what actually helped me get invested into running.

Do a running program

Starting anything new can feel incredibly intimidating. There’s so much running content out there but they’re usually people who are training for a marathon or clearly have already been running for years. While it’s super motivating seeing humans do these incredible feats, it does not always spark confidence in a beginner.

I started with the Nike Run Club app but then actually switched over to using Runna. The first NRC run felt pretty difficult but I did like that their coaching includes someone talking into your ear and actually explaining how the run should be feeling and what you should be paying attention to. I honestly don’t really have a preference between the two but I personally stuck with Runna after starting it.

The NRC app is completely free I believe while Runna offers you two running plans for free (New to Running and Return to Running) which are both 8 week programs that help you run a 5K.

The short walk-runs in Runna might feel boring at first but I am learning that by building my aerobic fitness slowly, it’ll help make the longer runs feel easier. I’m really am still just building my endurance and stamina muscle and that’s perfectly okay to me. Runna also gives you the option to add strength training days to your plan as well so if you’re wanting both weight training and running guidance, it’s a great option.

Buy the gear (you actually need)

I’m absolutely guilty of looking up every piece of cute running gear I see online only to be shocked at how much a thin windbreaker can cost and then closing all my browser windows so I don’t accidentally bankrupt myself. While I’m a firm believer that having cute gear does actually act as a motivator for any sport, I do also understand that I’m a woman of many hobbies and cannot actually afford to buy everything that’s on my wish list.

However, it is true that having the right gear can sometimes make or break your experience with an athletic endeavor. I don’t have perfect feet and have bad knees to start so running in my gym shoes quite literally felt like the worst decision I’ve ever made.

Non-negotiables

Running shoes

When buying running shoes I’d HIGHLY recommend going to a running store and asking the staff to explain everything to you. I tried on all the shoes that I see on everyone’s feeds and ended up getting a New Balance pair that I’ve never heard of before. What works for one person’s feet, stance, posture, and running style isn’t necessarily going to work for you. Some running stores will actually have promotions where you can buy the shoe, run in them, and if they suck, return them so PLEASE do yourself a favor and shop in-person if you can.

Running socks

Honestly thought this was a gimick until I ran in a random pair of socks one day and it gave me blisters on both feet. While not all of my socks do that, having any cushioning in the wrong place will rub the wrong way as you run. So while I still do wear some of my crew socks for running, I do think running socks are well worth the investment.

Arm band or running belt

I get SO overstimulated with my keys and phone bouncing up and down inside of my pocket so I got a running belt pretty early on. I actually did end up buying a running vest as well while I was in Japan at Montbell which I also love but for all intents and purposes, the running belt does just as well.

A lot of people talk about the SPI belt on runningtok but places like Lululemon make them as well.

Nice-to-haves

Fitness watch

I already owned an Apple Watch so I used it to track my runs. Both Strava (running tracking app) and Runna allow you to track your runs just with your phone by using the GPS in your phone to calculate distance. Having a fitness watch does give you some extra stats on your heart rate and how you’re doing but it’s definitely not essential when you’re starting.

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

As someone who mainly runs around a park or on sidewalks, these are by-far my favorite ear buds. If you haven’t heard of them before, instead of sitting in your ear, these actually act as ear cuffs meaning it gives you great sound quality while still allowing you to completely hear what’s going on around you. They also stay on quite well so you don’t have to be worried about losing one during your run.

What’s the deal with Strava?

If you’ve spent any time around runners (or runner Instagram), you’ve probably heard of Strava. It’s basically a social media app for tracking workouts—mostly running and cycling. You log your runs, it shows you stats like pace and distance, and you can follow friends and see what they’re up to.

When I first started running, I avoided Strava because it felt intimidating. Everyone seemed to be running faster and farther than me, and I didn’t want to broadcast my slow, short runs to the world. But eventually, I caved and downloaded it, and honestly? It’s been one of the most motivating parts of my running journey.

Here’s what I actually like about it:

It tracks your progress automatically. If you have your phone or watch with you, Strava uses GPS to map your route and calculate your distance, pace, and elevation. It’s satisfying to look back and see how far you’ve come—literally.

The community aspect is surprisingly motivating. When people “kudos” (like) your runs, it feels good. It’s a little hit of encouragement that makes you want to show up again. I’ve also found it helpful to follow other beginner runners—it normalizes the fact that not everyone is running 10-minute miles.

You can keep it private. If you’re not ready to share your runs publicly, you can set your activities to “only me” or “followers only.” I kept mine private for the first month until I felt more confident.

It gamifies running in a way that works for me. Strava has challenges (like “run 50km this month”) and achievements (like “fastest 5k” or “longest run”). They’re completely optional, but they give me something to work toward without the pressure of an actual race.

My take: If you’re curious, download it. Track a few runs privately and see how it feels. If it motivates you, great. If it stresses you out, delete it. There’s no rule that says you have to use it to be a “real runner.”

Practical tips that actually helped

Okay, now for the stuff I wish someone had told me before I started. These aren’t revolutionary, but they made a huge difference in whether I showed up or gave up.

Mindset shifts

You don’t have to run fast (or far). Seriously. My first “runs” were 2 minutes of jogging followed by 3 minutes of walking, repeated for 20 minutes total. That counts. Slow running is still running.

Walking breaks are not cheating. Run/walk intervals are a legitimate training method. Some of my best runs include walking breaks. Your body doesn’t care if you’re fast or long—it just knows you’re moving.

Consistency beats intensity every time. Three easy 20-minute runs per week will do more for you than one brutal 5k that leaves you too sore to move. Show up regularly, even when it’s not perfect.

It’s okay to hate it at first. I hated running for the first month. It felt hard and awkward and boring. But I kept showing up, and eventually, something clicked. Give it time.

You’re not “bad at running”—you’re just new. Everyone starts somewhere. The people running marathons now were once gasping for air after 60 seconds of jogging. You’re building something. Be patient with yourself.

Actual running tips

Start slower than you think you need to. This is the advice I’m not really starting to understand. Your first runs should feel almost embarrassingly easy. If you can’t hold a conversation while running, you’re going too fast.

The “conversational pace” rule is real. You should be able to talk in full sentences while running. If you can’t, slow down. This is how you build endurance without destroying your body.

Run 3-4 times a week, max. As a beginner, your body needs time to adapt. More isn’t always better. I run 3-4 times a week and that’s it.

Rest days are not optional. They’re when your body actually gets stronger. I learned this the hard way after my first run left me unable to walk for a week. Rest is part of training.

Listen to your body (actually listen). There’s a difference between “this is uncomfortable” and “this is injury.” Uncomfortable is normal. Sharp pain, pain that doesn’t go away, pain that changes how you move? Stop. Don’t push through it.

Making it enjoyable

Find routes you actually like. I run around a park near my house because it’s flat, scenic, and I don’t have to think about where I’m going. Some people love trail running. Some prefer city streets. Experiment until you find what feels good.

Music, podcasts, or silence—whatever works. I’ve tried all three and honestly, it depends on the day. Sometimes I want music to pump me up. Sometimes I want a podcast to distract me. Sometimes I just want to hear my own thoughts (or lack thereof).

Run at the time of day that feels best. I love early morning runs before the city wakes up. My friend loves evening runs to decompress from work. There’s no “right” time—just what works for you.

Give yourself permission to stop. Some days, running just doesn’t feel good. Maybe you’re tired, maybe you’re stressed, maybe your body needs rest. It’s okay to cut a run short or skip it entirely. One missed run won’t ruin your progress.

Celebrate small wins. Ran 2 minutes longer than last time? Went an extra block? Didn’t walk as much? That’s progress. Acknowledge it. I keep a running journal where I write down little victories, and it’s incredibly motivating to look back on.

I’m still very much a beginner. I’m not fast. I’m not training for anything specific. But I’m consistent, and that’s what matters.

My goals for 2026 are simple: keep showing up 3-4 times a week, build up to running 5k without stopping, and maybe—just maybe—actually make my way up to running 10K (without feeling like I’m dying).

Running has become one of those rare things that’s just for me. Not for content, not for productivity, not to prove anything to anyone else. Just because it makes me feel capable and calm and like myself again.

If you’re thinking about starting, use this as your sign! Because I swear if I can do it, anyone can. You don’t have to love it right away. You don’t have to be good at it. You just have to try.

And who knows? Maybe in a few months, you’ll be the person you never thought you’d be too.

November

This month has felt like an exhale. With the sharp winter air, things that needed to die in my life finally wrapped up with more finality than it has all year. It’s been an emotional month to say the least but I’m glad to have felt deeply, for it makes me more open and resilient for what’s to come. I couldn’t have asked for a more symbolic and meaningful month to end off the year and I’m hoping December is chill so that I can bathe in the aftermath and just process everything that transpired this year.

Along with work being the busiest it’s ever been, I’ve also been surrounded by love from friends, family, my pup, and most importantly—myself. I never talk about my dating life on social media but oddly enough Substack feels like a safe place so my update is that I’m finally feeling more open to explore new connections and restart my process of figuring out what I want in my next relationship. It’s a great feeling to be in the place finally (:

Loving

Biodance Cera-Nol Masks

When my skin is in serious need of a refresh, I always reach for these masks. They take 2-3 hours to fully soak in but are so worth it and always leave my skin looking and feeling plump.

ZO Wrinkle + Texture 0.5% retinol

This was a recommendation from The Vanity Lab which I recently started going to again for facials. I was already using A313 as a retinol for a while so it wasn’t that hard to switch to this one. I use this 2 times a week and then A313 most other days.

L’eau Papier by Dyptique

I actually got a travel size of this nearly a year ago but only just started to wear it more consistently. Over the summer I was wearing Valaya and Another 13 (two CLASSIC skin scents) throughout the summer but this has replaced both as my winter skin scent.

MorrocanOil Curl Defining Cream

This was a recommendation from my hair stylist and I’ve been loving it. I apply it to my wet hair after washing before I scrunch and style it with my hair dryer + diffuser and it helps my perm stay more bouncy. If I ever feel like my curls need a refresh, I’ll re-wet my hair with a water spray and then just apply more curl cream to it. It also smells heavenly.

Consuming

Perfect Days

This film is going to live in my head rent free for a while. It was a beautiful representation of the peace we can choose if we don’t subscribe to what the world has chosen for us. How happy we could be if we realize how little we need. It was the perfect reminder that everything starts within. And even when the external world brings challenges, finding beauty in the mundane is the anchor that keeps us afloat and well.

Frankenstein

The way we all collectively fell for or identified with this classical monster (or what and I call “frankenlordi”) needs to be studied. And it has, over and over, as the work itself isn’t new. I loved this article by Addie Tsai as she examined how we all monsters in our lives but also within ourselves. I’m still on the hunt for a soft cover copy of Frankenstein but until then I may even rewatch this film in December.

Repeating

I’ve seen it by Olivia Dean

Olivia Dean has single-handedly carried most of my healing this month. This month reminded me of how much love surrounds me which was exactly what I needed as the gloomy days started rolling in. I also needed to be reminded that one relationship shouldn’t define how I see all future relationships and that it’s okay (and encouraged) to start over with a fresh heart.

I wrote about all the things I felt like I lost in the last 4 years but am slowly regaining in this article on my journal Substack, Of Late. Each article there is tied to one specific song that I think embodies the feeling that I’m trying to relay. I’ve seen it explains how I’ve been feeling perfectly.

Making

Something I’m really looking forward to in December is more time to knit. I started the Weekend Hat by Petite Knit in the most beautiful cobalt blue color so expect more film reviews next month along with a finished beanie.

Kinship community

On the Kinship front, Terri and I recently launched our Kinship discord community—a place for overwhelmed creatives to come connect, learn, and grow. We wanted to make sure that while we are pausing on IRL events for the holiday season that we still have some place to go for support during this crazy season. If you resonate with any of that, we’d love to see you in the community <3

Join the discord community

Snapping

I started my day normally—made coffee, walked Mika, journaled, but instead of sitting at my computer, I headed to Gastown to film. As I walked around composing snapshots and video frames in my head, I was struck by how beautiful everything was despite being overcast and gloomy. My job has taught me to really open my eyes and search for beauty wherever I go and for that I’m thankful.

I recently wrote about welcoming more boredom into my life and actually taking the time to be present enough to appreciate it. A big part of that looks like paying more attention to the mundane moments. Walking from one place to another. Driving through an ever-changing city. Taking a pause and looking up to look at treetops and roof tops. I learned to walk fast, talk fast, move fast but I realized that nothing I’m chasing requires me to live faster. In fact, I think my goals all have to do with being able to live slower and I’m afraid by the time I get there, I wont remember how to live at all.

To counter that, here are some moments that held my attention or just made me disproportionately happy this week:

• The leaves that have fallen are still crisp and yellow so the entire city is filled with color.

• The combination of warm brick against black paint and grey stone.

• Being able to just wear a sweater and a wool coat.

• The quiet hum of conversation and the steaming of milk at a cafe.

• Hitting your macros for the day nearly perfectly.

• Pushing yourself to hit the gym the day after a night out and realizing that you’re stronger and more resilient than you thought.

• Having someone prove to you that “if he wanted to, he would.”

• Watching your friends get ready in the bathroom mirror.

• Hot yoga before a night out.

I’m also starting to see that leaving my last relationship has also allowed me to feel a greater range of emotions which has in turn led to more joy and gratitude. I didn’t realize how small being in that relationship made my world until months later realizing I can breathe again. I’ll be writing more about this soon.

In other news, I permed my hair for the first time!! I love having waves but am usually too lazy to fuss with my pin-straight hair so this was the best investment. I chose a digital perm so that I can have natural waves with a lovely soft texture and volume that can be styled curlier if I wanted to. The whole process, including my hair cut, took about 4 hours. I think it may stay as one of the “high maintenance things to keep me low maintenance.” When it’s time to re-do the perm, I may try a combination of cold perm and digital perm for an even curlier finish.

01

As someone who wears more menswear silhouettes than women’s, I do actually love a feminine outfit. I acquired this top while in Mexico City because I fell in love with the cinched waist and bow detailing. I also got to connect with the owner and designer of the brand (Estudio 1999) which made all the pieces I took home even more special. Most of their pieces are upcycled and one-of-a-kind but they do typically create the same styles, just with different colours and patterns. Mark my words, I will be outfit repeating this one in spring.

I ran errands during the day and then switched out the ballerinas for my vintage heeled Gucci boots for dinner mostly because it was POURING that night. I visited Locanda Dell’Orso with my sister for dinner for a cute girls night. As much as I wanted to skip on a jacket, the weather was not on my side so I opted for this structural SHUSHU/TONG piece I thrifted earlier this year. It’s a full denim a-line coat. I definitely didn’t do it justice with the photo so I’ll have to capture it again in a different outfit.

02

It’s been a busy season for campaigns meaning I’m running around a lot filming for different brands which honestly has been a great mood-booster for me this season. I’m spending more time in cafés because I’m forced to but it showed me how badly I needed to start getting out of the house more. Think I’ll try to work from a café at least 3 times a week for the rest of the season.

The leather jacket + sweater + jeans uniform is fail proof for this time of year but I love how my old Celine tote and the ballerinas gave this look a more fem touch. I’m also feeling proud of myself because I said I wanted to wear this jacket more this season and it’s been on rotation for a few weeks now.

03

I had a mid week errands day just dropping off packages and picking up groceries so this was the perfect, brainless uniform to throw on. I’ll be a plaid shirt girl for life because it really is just the perfect layering piece for transitional weather. I also love that the shirt is longer than my jacket because it brings more flow to an otherwise rigid piece.

04

Hair cut day! I honestly had no idea how long a perm would take since it was my first one but I’m so glad I opted for comfortable clothes. I don’t reach for these barrel leg pants much but they do make for the perfect piece when you need maximum comfort. I recently bought a few of LESET’s Margo tees so this was my first day taking the long-sleeve Margo for a spin.

I really do understand why it’s so well-loved—the cut is phenomenal.

05

On slower days, I love heading to café but with no laptop and just my journals and a book. I wanted to go coat-less so I actually dug up my Uniqlo heat tech for the first time this season to layer under my sweater and tee.

I’ve been eyeing the Citizens of Humanity Ayla jeans for a few seasons now and fell in love with it even further when I tried it on at The Hills last month. I love the relaxed fit and versatile length that looks great rolled up. While I decide whether it’s worth the hefty price tag, I’m making do with these Stüssy jeans.

06

Had a girls dinner with planned so I opted for an easy and comfortable outfit. It has a similar formula to the 04 outfit (black top, plaid shirt, black pants, loafers) but I think the relaxed trousers and alpaca sweater really softens the look.

I also tried to break up the chunks of black with a soft brown suede bag and some brown loafers. I’ll always love the black and brown combo no matter who says it doesn’t work.

07

My Gastown filming/shopping/cafe day outfit. I got these penny loafers from Rothys as a gift and oh my gosh they are SO comfortable. I’m usually not a fan of textile shoe but these are so breathable and still have such a beautiful structure. Happy I discovered them, I throw them on now whenever I need to run out the door and they make it seem like I put effort into my outfit.

Excited to share more in the coming weeks. My work load is finally starting to slow down a tad which means more time for the work that really fulfills me. Thanks for sticking around and reading these week by week. Excited to share what I’m working on next soon!

Angel x

What do you think about when you wash the dishes? What runs through your mind when you’re folding laundry? When’s the last time you drove in silence?

I often catch my mind racing through these mundane moments. While I’m washing dishes, my brain is already three tasks ahead—planning dinner, drafting an email, remembering something I forgot to do yesterday. And while dishes, laundry, and commuting were never meant to be the highlight of our lives, they are—well, life.

So what does it say about us when we can no longer find peace—or even just presence—in these already rare moments our schedule finally allows us to slow down?

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when stillness started causing discomfort, but I can bet our hyper-connectivity and obsession with productivity have made it much worse. We’ve been conditioned to equate productivity with worth and we measure our value by our output. No wonder moments without “doing” feel wasteful and unnatural. We’ve turned rest into something we have to earn; something to schedule and optimize.

Our brains have learned that life only counts when we’re checking something off a list, whether that’s finishing a work project or finally reading that book we’ve been meaning to get to.

Boredom is no longer even an option we allow.

There’s a deeper theory on the topic around how people will avoid gaps in their time because they’re afraid of being alone with their thoughts. When we’re bored, our minds naturally drift towards the future—planning, visualizing, imagining, and sometimes worrying. For some, that can be uncomfortable territory.

In a 2014 study published in Science, psychologist Timothy Wilson and his colleagues at the University of Virginia gave participants a choice between sitting alone with their thoughts for 15 minutes or pressing a button that would administer an unpleasant electric shock to themselves. 67% of men and 25% of women chose to shock themselves at least once during the 15 minute period. One participant shocked himself 190 times during the session.1

So how did we get here?

How did we become so uncomfortable with stillness that we’d choose discomfort over it?

On dopamine and reward systems

Having worked in tech, I’ve seen first hand how much time and effort gets put into figuring out how we can encourage users to use an app more often and stay in it for longer. Digital platforms optimize for dopamine-driven reinforcement through likes, notifications, gamifications, constant data, and endless scrolling.

And it works! Every ping, like, and new piece of content triggers a small dopamine hit in our brains—the same neurotransmitter involved in reward, motivation, and pleasure. Research shows that adolescents with internet addiction disorder have plasma dopamine levels twice as high as those in healthy controls. In other words, we’re not imagining it: our devices are literally changing our brain chemistry.

And here’s the kicker: dopamine isn’t just about pleasure but about the anticipation of it. It’s the potential that keeps us going2. Maybe the next post will be interesting. Maybe someone will comment on my photo. The lack of predictability keeps our brains in a loop, constantly seeking the next reward, the next hit.

As we scroll and scroll and scroll, we’re training our brains to expect constant stimulation with an occasional dose of dopamine. On the flip side, when things are quiet something feels a little off. We’ve unintentionally created a missing feeling.

There are also studies showing that the mere presence of a smartphone can actually reduce our cognitive performance. When we’re trying to avoid usage and suppress our attention to the device, our brains are expending precious resources leaving less mental capacity for everything else. It’s gotten to the point where even when we’re not using our phones, it’s still taking up too much headspace.

Redefining boredom

Choosing boredom sounds counterintuitive because we’ve spent the last decade treating boredom like a disease. The clinical definition describes it as an attention or meaning deficit—a lack of interest, stimulation, or challenge that brings feelings of sadness, loneliness, and distorted time perception. That kind of boredom drains us.

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I’ve had good and bad experiences with medical grade skincare in the past and now understanding my skin a little better, I’m going through the painfully slow and tedious process of introducing new products one by one and making sure I’m tracking the results as I go. Throughout this year, the french pharmacy fave (A313—said retinol pomade) has been a been the only active I’ve been using. It always leaves my skin supple and plump the next morning although when my acne flares up, it doesn’t seem to help much. I got gifted the ZO Retinol Skin Brightener 1% from TVL so I’ll keep you posted on the results. I’ve used it twice so far and my skin does look pretty plump the next day. It also helped flatten an extracted pimple overnight so that was

pretty impressive.

Other than skincare, this week I’d also like to take some time to build a puzzle. After rediscovering them last year, I’ve had it on my list of “rest” activities to get back into so I purchased a Christmas themed one from Homesense. One day I’d love a New York Times one but I won’t splurge on that until I’m ready to set and frame it in my home.

This is your reminder to take rest and self-care in whatever form you see fit this week.

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01

I think this is the last week I’ll be wearing the culottes + flats combo because it’s getting a bit too nippy for my ankles. I’ve been saving this The Line by K top for the fall but haven’t been reaching for it as much as I’d like but I think it’s because at some point I mentally categorized it as a “dressy top”. Think I needed a good reminder that, while yes it may dress up a pair of jeans, it doesn’t mean it’s too dressy for every day. So this was my errands outfit which I think started the week off pretty strong.

02

I mentioned in my last WIWTW that I felt like I wasn’t getting enough wear from my Acne leather jacket so of course I now try to reach for it more often than not. I love how it looks on Jessica (who I follow religiously for her effortless yet elevated style) so that’s been motivating as well.

The leather + sweater + trousers outfit formula will forever be the foundation of my fall style. I also love these relaxed trousers because they’re incredibly comfortable yet still makes it look like I put effort into my look.

03

On the rainiest of days my first instinct is to stay in my pajamas and hide in my apartment. However I did have a dinner planned this day at a friend’s house so I put on my comfiest rainy day outfit.

The Almina Concepts v-neck has been killing it for me in cost-per-wear and I find myself reaching for it every time I’m unsure what to wear. These jeans are also by far my most worn jeans, purely because I bought them 2 sizes up so that they could be low-waisted and essentially feel like sweatpants. Best decision I ever made.

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04

Another night spent at a friend’s (it’s been my favorite weeknight activity is just going to other people’s homes) so I wanted to be as comfortable as possible. Recently got these satin pants from Peppermayo in. I have a few silk options saved on my wish list so this was my foray into elasticated silky pants. I’m a little unsure if they’re for me tbh but I did enjoy it contrasted with my stiffer denim shirt. Will have to sleep on them a little more.

05

Blazers and I have a love/hate relationship. Sometimes they’re the perfect addition to an outfit and other times they make me feel stuffy and boring. I do love the tee + jeans + blazer formula on others so I wanted to emulate that same effortless feeling with this Dies Van Noten number. The great thing about this formula is you can switch out the tee for a dressier top and suddenly you’ve got a fool proof night out outfit.

06

Color!! And one that I feel really good in. Although my eyes are naturally drawn to warmer tones, blue always seems to be a color that works with my complexion. Specifically this bright cobalt blue. I love how it pops on my warmer skintone and against my black hair.

While having a girlie day with , we discovered a new sweater brand based in Montreal. If you’ve also been hunting for natural fibre sweaters this year, you’ll know that good quality sweaters cost a pretty penny. Both this cardigan and the one in my last outfit of the week are 90% wool and 10% cashmere and I think are very fairly priced. I got them from The Hills of Kerrisdale but Naïf has their own website as well.

07

I’ve been hunting for a knit zip-up for a few years now and love this one from Almina Concepts but couldn’t justify the price. So finding this one from Naïf for nearly half the price felt like a sign. I personally love a double zipper because it gives you the option to make a piece from unique. I think this will be a piece I wear a lot during my Paris stint as chic alternative to wearing sweat fleece out in public.

See you next week x