Tag: dailyprompt

What’s your #1 priority tomorrow?

The past two weeks have been a lot. I was basically bedridden with fevers, nausea, and migraines. Fun fact I wish I had known sooner: apparently you’re supposed to go to the hospital if you have a fever for more than 4 days in a row?? Yeah no one told me that. so honestly I’m just out here lucky I don’t have brain damage.

Now, as of today, I’ve got 32 days left until the wedding. Which means my number one priority tomorrow has to be wedding things. I’ve got a checklist waiting for me (honestly, it’s long enough to be its own book). And yes, I keep having those “what if I just canceled everything” moments, but that’s another story for another time.

Tomorrow is the first day in forever that won’t revolve around being sick or drowning in school or work. Thank God! I’ll be going over to my friend’s house, tackling at least one thing from the list, and hopefully feeling a little less like I’m duct-taping this whole thing together.

Hard work makes me feel really good because it’s like proof that I’m actually doing something meaningful. When I put in the effort—whether it’s writing, creating art, or just getting through school—it feels like I’m showing up for myself. That kind of pride doesn’t always need a trophy or applause; sometimes it’s just knowing I gave it my all, even when it was tough.

For me, hard work is less about perfection and more about progress. Even if things don’t go perfectly, I feel fulfilled because I’m moving forward and learning along the way. It’s like a little reminder that I’m growing, and that feels pretty awesome.

Since I’m going back to college and figuring out new routines, working hard helps me feel grounded. It turns all the uncertainty into something I can handle, and it helps me believe in myself a bit more. Honestly, it’s not always fun or easy, but when I look back, the hard work makes everything feel worth it.

What does your ideal home look like?

I often say I want something “simple,” but honestly, my dream house is anything but! Cozy, whimsical, and just a bit extra!

First off, it has to have a wraparound porch. Imagine sipping morning coffee, having evening chats, and lounging on a swing. A wraparound porch is the perfect spot to kick back and enjoy life. 

Inside, I picture an open floor plan where the kitchen, dining, and living spaces flow together. Warm and inviting, but I want the kitchen to be tucked away. A bay window nook for reading and writing is necessary: piled-up cushions, sunlight pouring in, and my trusty notebook always at hand. And don’t even get me started on color, there’s gotta be yellow everywhere! It’s my favorite color, and you literally cannot be sad around the color yellow. I want sunshine spilling everywhere: walls, pillows, little accents, whatever makes the house feel warm and happy.

Then there’s the office. I dream of floor-to-ceiling bookcases on at least one side, complete with a ladder, because I absolutely want my Belle moment! Cozy lighting, a comfy chair (the West Elm Penn Chair, my dream reading chair), and all the books I love surrounding me would make it my little corner of magic and focus.

For lounging, envision a den with a retro 70s conversation pit and a fireplace. It’s where TV time meets cozy nostalgia! My grandparents used to have a conversation pit, then swapped it for red shag carpet, which is wild! Their living room was sooo amazing, and the built-in bar is the only thing that survived all the remodels—definitely something I want in mine.

As for the backyard? Big, please! I need space for yoga, stargazing, cookouts, or just chilling on the grass with a good book. 

And the vibe? I’m seeing a sprinkle of Alice in Wonderland, especially since Hector’s a magician who loves card tricks. We already have two giant playing card pictures to hang up, and I can’t wait to find more cute trinkets over time. I just want little treasures everywhere to make the house feel alive. I’m still trying to figure out what to call the aesthetic that mixes my Boho + Mid-Century Modern taste and Hector’s Industrial + Organic Modern style (he insists he’s not a hipster). Think cozy textures, quirky details, and little surprises around every corner.

So yeah, my dream house isn’t really simple, but that’s the whole point. It’s layered, thoughtful, and completely us—a home that invites wonder, creativity, sunshine, and just a bit of magic. Because dream houses don’t need to be simple—they just need to feel like home.

 

What was the last thing you searched for online? Why were you looking for it?

Recently, I found myself diving deep into the fascinating realm of higher education, thoroughly examining the distinctions between obtaining a master’s degree and a PhD. At first, my plan was to stop my academic journey after achieving a bachelor’s degree; it felt like a comfortable goal at the time. However, the tremendous support and encouragement I’ve received from my professors have ignited a passion within me to aspire for something greater. Their belief in my potential has motivated me to consider pursuing a more advanced degree. I now realize that by continuing my education, I can unlock a wealth of incredible opportunities that come with advanced academic pursuits. Whether it’s engaging in groundbreaking research, teaching the next generation, or expanding my professional horizons, I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead!

What are your top ten favorite movies?

I love asking people what their favorite movies are. It always says so much about them—what makes them laugh, cry, or just curl up with a big blanket and a bowl of popcorn. So I thought I’d share mine with you today!

Now, technically this is supposed to be a Top Ten list… but full honesty? I don’t actually have ten favorite movies. I have eight. And one random Hillary Duff movie that almost no one remembers but I will forever defend. So, let’s just pretend that still counts.

Here’s my list:

1. Pride and Prejudice (2005)

Yes, I mean the Keira Knightley version. It’s gorgeous, it’s dreamy, it’s got Mr. Darcy’s hand flex (if you know, you know). Instant comfort watch.

2. Roman Holiday

Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, Rome, a stolen day of freedom… pure magic. I don’t make the rules.

3. Howl’s Moving Castle

One of my favorite Studio Ghibli films. Howl is dramatic, Sophie is quietly strong, and the whole movie just feels like a warm hug.

4. Little Miss Sunshine

Dysfunctional family road trip of dreams. Funny, weird, and somehow heartbreaking too. The ending scene? Chef’s kiss.

5. Beauty and the Beast (1991)

I have a soft spot for the classic Disney cartoons! While the live-action versions have their charm—seriously, the song “Evermore” is beautiful—I just can’t resist the magic of Belle exploring that amazing library in the animated version. There’s something so special about the animation that brings it to life!.

6. Scream

A slasher that’s scary and self-aware? Yes please. Also, Sidney Prescott deserved way more hype as an ultimate final girl. I’ve watched all the movies and even that short-lived TV show.

7. Me Before You

This made me sob uncontrollably, like a full ugly cry. It’s beautiful, and I can’t leave it out. Even though this movie is a literal masterpiece, the books are still better.

8. Raise Your Voice

Okay, so this is my “nobody talks about it but I still love it” pick. Hillary Duff at music school. Is it cheesy? Yes. Do I rewatch it anyway? Also yes. Nostalgia always wins.

What positive emotion do you feel most often?

When I first read this prompt, I almost spiraled—because obviously my brain’s first draft answer was Anxiety (hi, Inside Out 2, thanks for the representation). I actually had to reread the question twice before I realized it was asking about positive emotions. Crisis averted. 

You’re welcome.

So, what positive emotion do I feel most of the time? Honestly, it’s gratitude.

Not the big, dramatic kind where you’re suddenly enlightened by a sunset or writing a 10-page thank you letter to your past self—though those moments are beautiful too. I mean the small, everyday kind. The little things—morning coffee that tastes like heaven, a perfectly timed text from a friend, and catching myself on a good hair day—remind me to feel grateful every day.

Gratitude doesn’t erase the hard stuff—it just softens it. It makes the chaos of life feel a little less like a storm and a little more like… weather you can actually walk through.

So yeah, anxiety might be loud, but gratitude is always there too, quietly keeping me grounded. And that’s something worth feeling all the time.

How do you plan your goals?

If you’ve been around for a while, you know I make goals for myself every year. And the way I create those goals has changed a lot since 2019 when I first started this blog—or 2020, when I had to restart it because it pretty much killed itself.

Back in 2020, I wasn’t confident in myself or my ability to follow through. My goals were softer, more identity-based than achievement-based. The question guiding me was: “Who do I want to be?” instead of “What do I want to accomplish?”

That hasn’t fully changed, but what has shifted is my energy. Now, I’m bold, confident, energized. I dive headfirst into resolutions and frame them as thrilling and unforgettable. I’m no longer doubting whether I can stick to my goals—I’m building the structures and practices to make sure I do.

How My Goal Planning Changed

• From gentle intentions → to ambitious action plans
• From identity goals → to practical and measurable ones
• From uncertainty → to resilience
• From perfection → to process
• From resilience as a concept → to resilience in action
  

At the heart of my planning is layering intentions. This year, my main focus is building resilience in myself. Around that, I create smaller goals—little practices tied to values and reflection—that help me embody resilience day by day.

Each month, I check in to see how I’m living out the things I once only wrote down. And here’s the biggest shift: I don’t stress if things don’t unfold exactly how I pictured them. That’s why I choose a word of the year—to give me something to embrace and return to, even when life doesn’t follow my script.

Describe your life in an alternate universe.

this prompt immediately sent my brain spiraling into sliding doors mode. if you haven’t seen it, it’s one of those “one tiny moment changes everything” movies. miss a train? boom—two parallel timelines unfold.

i also loved look both ways on netflix. kinda like a modern take on the same idea. soft, surprising, and left me thinking way too long about all the versions of me that could’ve existed.

in this version of the timeline, i’m figuring it out. minimum wage job. school that started later than planned. writing blog posts instead of bestselling novels (yet). i’m doing what i can, but yeah, some days are heavy. this isn’t where i thought i’d be by now.

but somewhere, in another life?

she got the head start.

she went straight to college, became the kind of teacher who smells like tea and paperbacks. she writes too—books that maybe don’t break records, but break open someone’s heart in the best way.

she lives in a cozy home with a kitchen nook and bay window. her kids draw beside her while she types away. her life isn’t perfect, but it’s full. it’s hers.

and the thing is… i don’t envy her. i’m cheering for her.

and maybe writing this is one small way i inch closer to her.

If you could bring back one dinosaur, which one would it be?

Okay the answer is clear: none! I mean, just think about it—Jurassic Park has shown us exactly why resurrecting dinosaurs is a terrible idea. But, if I had to pick one, it would definitely be a velociraptor! This maybe it’s the influence of Blue. Plus, let’s be honest: the real villains in this scenario aren’t the dinosaurs themselves,