“Look, either come or don’t — I don’t care. This is my vacation I invited you on, not our vacation,” I said into the phone. I was over it. The cat-and-mouse game. The constant tug-of-war for attention. It was exhausting. “See, when you talk like that, it kills the mood,” […]
Author: kimberlyraej
Becoming Her: A Journey of Autonomy, Rebirth, & Sterilization
A Dream That Wasn’t Mine Standing before a dark chestnut front door on a beautiful midsummer day, a well-manicured lawn stretches behind me, dotted with freshly planted flowers. I hear children joyfully playing inside. Somehow, I know they’re waiting for me. Taking a deep breath, I unlock the door and […]
Learning to Live Without the Chaos
I was sitting at my kitchen counter one morning in front of an empty screen, trying to force an article about something—anything—out. What was my latest revelation? My great story? Something I’d learned? Nothing. I took a long sip of my hibiscus tea, turned away, and sat on my couch. […]
The Art of Incense: A Slow Guide to Daily Rituals
Incense has a way of transporting us into another world. It can elevate the mundane, turn the ordinary into the magical, and transform a simple home into a sacred sanctuary. There’s something ancient in incense — a soft, smoky wisdom that lingers long after the flame fades. Whether you burn […]
How Dining Alone at a Fancy Restaurant Helped Me Heal My Inner Child
Growing up, I didn’t go to many fancy restaurants. We didn’t dress up. We rarely did big celebrations. It was always simple—kinda thrown together. As a child, I never thought much about it. I just assumed we weren’t a “fancy” family. I remember one night—me, my sister, and my father […]
The Art of Dressing: How Getting Dressed is the Biggest Act of Self Love
When I was spiraling, the last thing I wanted to do was put together an outfit. It seemed pointless. Why do all that fussing over myself when I was “just going” somewhere? The grocery store, work, errands—it didn’t matter. I’d tell myself I didn’t care who saw me. That mindset […]
A Sweet Treat: Vanilla Ice Cream with Caramelized Bananas
Lately, I’ve been having such a huge sweet tooth. The other week, I went to the store and grabbed a few snacks, but I was especially excited because I wanted to recreate a dessert I saw on Pinterest. Even though it was just a photo, it gave me all the […]
DIY Oat Creamer with Cinnamon & Brown Sugar
There’s something about the first sip of coffee in the morning that feels like a ritual—like you’re quietly telling the day yes, I’m here and I’m ready. But I’ve noticed that store-bought creamers, while convenient, rarely give me the cozy sweetness I’m craving. They’re either too sugary, too heavy, or […]
The Dark Side of Dating: The Night My $10 Pepper Spray Saved Me
Dating in your 30s is a different field. Some people are divorced with 15 kids, others are just vibing, and some don’t seem to be looking at all. I somehow found myself in the latter category. I’m looking, but not seriously. My ideal relationship is Oprah and Stedman—I don’t want […]
The Self-Care Power of Loungewear: How Comfort Became My Mental Health Ritual
Some days, self-care doesn’t have to be a bath ritual, a meditation session, or a weekend getaway. Sometimes, it’s as simple—and as profound—as putting on the right clothes. Loungewear has quietly become one of the most underrated tools for mental wellness. The soft fabrics, gentle fits, and cozy vibes of […]