Whether you’re brand new to gaming or just looking for something low-key to unwind with, cozy games are the perfect way to ease in. They’re like warm cups of tea for your brain- no timers, no pressure, just good vibes and wholesome fun. If you’re not sure where to start, I’ve got you. Here are five cozy games that are super beginner-friendly and guaranteed to melt your stress away.

1. Unpacking

Platform: PC, Switch, PlayStation, Xbox
Genre: Puzzle, Zen, Narrative

It’s literally a game about unpacking moving boxes. Sounds mundane? It’s actually surprisingly emotional and peaceful. You go through a person’s life by unpacking their belongings from one home to the next, learning their story through the items they keep. This was my first game and I loved it so much. It can be finished in a single setting but it’s so fun with such a beautiful storyline.

Why it’s great for beginners:

• No fail state
• Intuitive drag-and-drop mechanics
• Short play sessions (great for winding down before bed)

Bonus: It’s got that “organize your closet and feel powerful” energy.

2. Stardew Valley

Platform: PC, Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, Mobile
Genre: Farming Sim, Life Sim

Imagine quitting your job and moving to the countryside to fix up your grandfather’s farm. That’s Stardew Valley in a nutshell. You can plant crops, raise animals, mine, fish, chat with cute townsfolk- and maybe even find love. No two days are the same and you set the pace. This does require a bit of a grind and maybe some Google for some quests but it’s oddly addictive.

Why it’s great for beginners:

• Clear goals but zero pressure
• Simple mechanics that grow with you
• Encourages exploration without overwhelming you

Tip: Don’t worry if your farm looks chaotic at first- we’ve all been there.

3. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Platform: Nintendo Switch
Genre: Life Sim, Social Sim

You move to a deserted island with a bunch of cute animal neighbors and build your dream life. Catch bugs, decorate your home, plant flowers- it’s basically an adult coloring book, but interactive and adorable. It’s also incredibly soothing after a long day of work.

Why it’s great for beginners:

• Friendly characters that make the world feel safe and sweet
• No time limits or rules
• Encourages creativity and routine

4. Cozy Grove

Platform: PC, Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, Mobile
Genre: Life Sim, Story-Rich

You’re a Spirit Scout helping ghostly bears find peace on a haunted-but-friendly island. It’s like Animal Crossing meets a ghost story

Why it’s great for beginners:

• Daily tasks are gentle and manageable
• Gorgeous, hand-drawn art style
• Encourages a little play every day (no risk of burnout or getting overwhelmed with tasks)

5. Disney Dreamlight Valley

Platform: PC, Switch, PlayStation, Xbox
Genre: Life Sim, Adventure

You move into a magical village where Disney and Pixar characters live, and help restore the town to its former glory. Expect gardening, cooking, and lots of quality time with Mickey.

Why it’s great for beginners:

• Combines quests with customisation and story
• Kid-friendly, but surprisingly deep (I credit this game with fixing my 2023 burnout)
• Familiar characters = instant comfort

Gaming doesn’t have to mean loud explosions or lightning-fast reflexes. Cozy games are about slowing down, savoring the moment, and doing things just for the joy of it. They’re perfect for beginners, and honestly? With everything going on in the world right now, we should all escape to a cozy little virtual world. Are you a cozy gamer? Drop your recs below (please and thank you!)

As I draw closer to 30, I’ve been reflecting on the relationships in my life- the ones that have lasted, the ones that have faded, and the ones that, if I’m being honest, I held onto for far too long. And one thing has become clear: you cannot build healthy friendships with people who refuse to heal.  

We all go through difficult seasons. We all have struggles. But there’s a difference between working through them and making them everyone else’s problem. Some people expect friendships to carry them through life without ever showing up for others in return. They crave community but don’t want to be part of one. They want support, but when it’s time to give it, they disappear- or worse, they project their pain onto the very people trying to stand by them.  

I’ve seen how exhausting these friendships can be. The constant defensiveness, the inability to take accountability, the emotional weight of managing someone else’s unresolved issues. And the saddest part? Many of these people don’t even realise they’re pushing others away.  

True friendship isn’t about perfection-it’s about growth. The best friendships come from people who are self-aware enough to work on themselves, who take responsibility for their actions and who don’t expect others to fix what they refuse to address.  

At this stage in life, I want reciprocal, uplifting friendships built on mutual respect. I want people who show up- not just when they need something, but because they value the connection. You can have empathy for unhealed people but you don’t have to let them drain you. Some people need space to heal and sometimes, that means loving them from a distance.  

If a friendship is built on imbalance, resentment or constant emotional labor, it’s okay to walk away. Because at the end of the day, the healthiest relationships don’t just take-they give. And those are the ones worth holding onto.  

Building a daily routine that prioritises more than just work is essential for your overall well-being. It’s about making time for your personal growth, relationships, and relaxation- things that make life meaningful outside of your career.

So how do you create a balanced routine that leaves room for work and everything else? Here’s how to start:

1. Define Your Priorities

The first step is understanding what matters most to you beyond work. Is it your health, relationships, hobbies, or personal growth? Once you’ve identified these priorities, you can start making intentional choices about where your time and energy go each day.

For example, if spending time with family is a priority, you might set aside a specific time in your day to be fully present with them- no phones, no work talk. Or if health is high on your list, you can carve out time for exercise every morning.

2. Start with Small, Non-Negotiable Rituals

A balanced routine doesn’t have to be complicated. Start by introducing small, non-negotiable habits that support your priorities. These can be as simple as:

• Morning stretches or a 10-minute workout to prioritise physical health
• Journaling for your mental well-being
• Evening walks with a loved one to nurture your relationships
• Reading for 20 minutes to engage your mind beyond work tasks

By committing to even one small ritual that aligns with your priorities, you’ll begin to feel more balance in your day.

3. Block Time for Work, Rest, and Play

We tend to block off time for work but often neglect rest and play. A balanced routine ensures that you’re making time for all three. Here’s how:

• Work: Establish clear working hours that align with your energy peaks. If possible, schedule your most challenging tasks during your most productive hours.

• Rest: Make rest part of your routine. This could mean taking regular breaks throughout your workday, getting fresh air during lunch, or simply unplugging from technology for a while.

• Play: Yes, you need to schedule fun! Whether it’s watching your favorite show, working on a hobby, or spending time with friends, make room for activities that bring you joy.

4. Set Boundaries for a Healthier Work-Life Balance

To create a routine that’s truly balanced, you’ll need to set clear boundaries around your work time. This could mean:

• No work after a specific time (e.g., 6 p.m.) so you have space for personal time
• Blocking off weekends or evenings for rest and hobbies
• Turning off notifications during non-work hours to avoid distractions

The key is to protect your personal time as fiercely as you protect your work commitments. This allows you to recharge and show up fully for both work and life.

5. Prioritise Sleep and Self-Care

Sleep is often the first thing to go when we’re busy, but it’s crucial for maintaining balance. Make sure you’re getting enough rest each night by establishing a consistent bedtime routine. This could include winding down with a book, practising mindfulness, or dimming the lights to signal to your body that it’s time for rest.

In addition to sleep, self-care practices like eating nourishing meals, staying hydrated, and engaging in activities that relax you are essential for a well-rounded routine. Remember, self-care isn’t a luxury- it’s a necessity.

6. Be Flexible and Adjust as Needed

Life happens, and not every day will go according to plan. That’s okay. The beauty of a balanced routine is that it’s flexible. If you have a particularly busy day at work, don’t beat yourself up if you can’t fit in everything. Adjust and return to your routine the next day.

As long as you’re making an effort to prioritise more than just work most of the time, you’ll find that balance comes naturally.

7. Reflect and Refine Your Routine Regularly

Take time to reflect on your routine every few weeks. Ask yourself:

• Am I feeling balanced?
• What’s working well?
• Where do I need to make adjustments?

By regularly checking in with yourself, you can refine your routine to ensure it’s meeting your needs- not just for work, but for life outside of it too.

Many of us have been conditioned to equate productivity with worth, and that can make it hard to say “no” or protect our personal time. But here’s the truth: boundaries aren’t just important—they’re essential for your well-being, success, and longevity in your career. And, they don’t make you a bad employee; they make you a sustainable one.

If you’re struggling to set boundaries without feeling like you’re letting people down, you’re not alone. Let’s look at why boundaries matter and how you can set them guilt-free.

Why Boundaries Are Crucial

Boundaries are safeguards that protect your time, energy, and mental health. When you set clear boundaries, you:

1. Prevent Burnout: Constantly overextending yourself will lead to exhaustion, and eventually, burnout. Boundaries allow you to rest and recharge so you can show up at your best.
2. Enhance Productivity: Ironically, setting limits on your time can make you more productive. By avoiding constant interruptions and unnecessary tasks, you can focus on what really matters.
3. Create Work-Life Balance: Healthy boundaries allow you to leave work at work, freeing up time for personal activities, relationships, and self-care.

How to Set Boundaries Without Feeling Guilty

1. Redefine Your Idea of Success

The first step is realising that setting boundaries doesn’t mean you’re slacking off. In fact, boundaries make you more effective and help you sustain long-term success. You’re not just working hard- you’re working smart. Redefining success to include well-being alongside productivity can help alleviate the guilt. You owe it to yourself to show up as your best self, and boundaries are a major part of that.

2. Start Small and Be Consistent

You don’t have to overhaul your entire work routine overnight. Start with small, manageable boundaries like not checking emails after a certain time or taking a lunch break away from your desk. Once you’re consistent with these smaller boundaries, they’ll become easier to maintain, and you can gradually set more.

3. Communicate Your Boundaries Clearly

Clear communication is key when setting boundaries. Let your manager and team know what your working hours are, when you’ll be available, and how you prefer to handle after-hours communication. When everyone’s on the same page, it reduces misunderstandings and pushback. For example, you could say, “I’m happy to assist with any urgent requests, but I’ll be offline after 6 p.m. and will get back to you first thing in the morning.” If you haven’t done this before, it might feel a little strange to you but with time and practice, it’ll start to feel more natural.

4. Detach from Guilt by Focusing on Your Well-Being

Remind yourself that setting boundaries is an act of self-care. It’s not selfish or lazy—it’s necessary to maintain your health and quality of work. Ask yourself: Would I want a friend or colleague to sacrifice their well-being for work? Likely, your answer is no. Extend that same grace to yourself.

5. Practice Saying ‘No’ Respectfully

Saying “no” doesn’t have to be a big deal. You can frame it in a way that shows you respect the other person’s request but need to prioritise your existing commitments. For example, “I’d love to help, but I’m at capacity with my current workload. Can we revisit this next week?”

6. Focus on the Bigger Picture

When guilt strikes, think about the long-term impact of not having boundaries. Are you really doing your best work if you’re constantly overworked, tired, and resentful? Protecting your time allows you to contribute meaningfully in the long run. A well-rested, focused version of you is far more valuable than a constantly overwhelmed one.

7. Embrace the Power of Delegation

If your workload is overwhelming, consider what tasks can be delegated or shared. Letting go of the belief that you need to do everything yourself can ease some of the guilt that comes with setting boundaries. You’re not abandoning responsibility; you’re being strategic about how to manage it and that’s perfectly okay.

Remember: Boundaries Are a Strength, Not a Weakness

Boundaries aren’t about pushing work away- they’re about managing your time and energy so you can be more present in both your personal life and your career. When you set clear limits, you’re setting yourself up for sustainable success. The guilt may never fully disappear, but with time, you’ll begin to see boundaries as the key to thriving at work- not just surviving.

It’s been a while since I blogged and I really debated on how to share this (or even if I should).

Basically instead of content, my time has been consumed with mental health issues, a return to Christianity and then some Bible study.

This blog has been a part of my life for a very long time so it feels necessary to share this here. But I feel like my content is probably going to change in the near future. Or at the very least, include more of the mental health/spiritual health aspect that has come to be a part of my life.

This is just me sharing so that if and when you see new content that seems “strange” to you or not exactly on-brand you’ll understand why.

It feels like everytime I do one of these life updates it’s after I get burned out and then sick. But hi, I’m back (kinda. Still trying to conserve energy but at this stage I’m not sure if it’s me recovering from the flu or an iron issue).

So what have I been up to? Besides getting sick. I WAS trying to get into cozy hobbies (I love them so much) in an attempt to connect with my inner child and keep my stress levels down. Cozy hobbies are big on TikTok and I love that community so much. Cozy hobbies can be stuff like adult colouring books, novels, video games, etc.

If you haven’t tried cozy hobbies, I strongly suggest you do. As an adult, I feel like all we do (okay well in this case, all I do) is work and pay bills. Cozy hobbies are a cute way to return to the joy of childhood. And this time no one can tell you no to your cozy hobby because it’s your money. This may or may not be a bad thing.

I don’t have energy for extended screen time which is why I haven’t really been blogging. Blogging/writing for work is difficult enough without adding this blog to it but I am hoping to get back into the swing of things.

Well that’s my life update. Hopefully I will be back with more blog and bookish content soon.

I was missing the feeling of creating creative copy for a fun internal campaign (remote work does have a downside, who knew?) so I thought “hey, I’ll just create designs of my own”.

Most days I cannot believe my job. I cannot believe I work in Marketing. I cannot believe writing is considered something you can do as a job. I cannot believe that I am listened to because I have a “voice” and “a story to tell”. It amazes me that I work in an environment where some days I am setting up goodie bags for staff and other days I am drinking vodka at a fancy bar. It is just bizarre. It also amazes me that I didn’t have to change myself for my lifestyle. I was just me and I fell into this amazing life. I found this post that I wrote many years ago, complaining about people judging other people’s life decisions.

I haven’t forgot how I had to fight for my job for years. I had to fight to write. It was considered a waste of time. I had to fight with family who thought I was wasting my life by taking a call center job (i.e the first place to hire me) and then staying there for years (something I did because no one else would hire me). I had to fight to study- the Marketing courses I wanted to try out were incredibly expensive but my dad was kind enough to lend me the money. I paid him back as soon as I could.

But even with all out that, I took my oddball ways and made it a part of a career I love. And that is something that I do not take for granted.