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Pisces

Drifting Through Pisces Season: A Love Letter to Dreamers

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There’s something about this time of year—the way the air feels softer, like it’s wrapped in an old love song, the kind that lingers in your chest long after the music stops. Maybe it’s the rain, or the way the sky fades into a watercolor blur at sunset. Or maybe, it’s just Pisces season doing what it does best: making us feel everything all at once.

If you’ve been catching yourself staring out the window a little too long, replaying old memories, or getting lost in daydreams of a life that exists only in the corners of your mind—congratulations. You’re right on schedule.

The Energy of Pisces Season

Pisces is the poet of the zodiac, the dreamer, the soft-hearted wanderer who sees the world through a hazy, sentimental lens. It’s the season of nostalgia, intuition, and letting emotions flow like the tide—gentle, relentless, impossible to ignore.

This time of year, you might feel more introspective, more drawn to quiet moments of reflection. Maybe you suddenly crave handwritten letters, moonlit walks, or music that makes you ache in the best way. Pisces energy whispers that it’s okay to feel deeply, to lean into the longing, to let yourself be soft in a world that always asks for sharp edges.

A Pisces-Approved Survival Kit

Since we’re already floating in the deep end, we might as well make it cozy. Here are a few ways to embrace the magic of this season:

🌙 Journal like a poet. Forget structured lists—let your thoughts spill onto the page in half-formed sentences and run-on emotions. Try prompts like “What is something I miss that no longer exists?” or “If my soul had a color, what would it be?”

💿 Make a ‘lost in a daydream’ playlist. The kind that makes you feel like the main character in an indie film. Think dreamy instrumentals, soft acoustic songs, maybe some hauntingly beautiful lyrics that hit too close to home.

🛁 Romanticize rest. Light a candle, run a bath, drink tea out of a cup with a tiny chip in it (because imperfections are poetic). Wrap yourself in the kind of warmth that feels like a long exhale.

📖 Get lost in a story. Whether it’s a book that breaks your heart in the best way or a comfort movie you’ve watched a hundred times, give yourself permission to escape for a little while.

Finding Solace in Stillness

Pisces season reminds us that not every moment has to be productive, not every feeling needs to be explained. Some things are meant to be felt, held for a little while, and then released like a breath you didn’t realize you were holding.

So if you’re feeling a little untethered, a little too soft for this sharp world—know that it’s okay. Let yourself drift. The world will still be here when you return.

Letting the tide take me where it wants. See you on the shore.

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The Art of Messy Journaling: Why Imperfection Tells the Best Stories

The Art of Messy Journaling: Why Imperfection Tells the Best Stories

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Let’s be real. If my journal could talk, it would probably sigh dramatically and say, “Oh, you again?” Because every time I open it, I’m either pouring out an existential crisis, ranting about something that happened three years ago, or leaving behind an accidental coffee stain that could probably be analyzed like a Rorschach test.

And you know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Journaling isn’t about flawless pages, perfect penmanship, or color-coordinated spreads (unless that’s your thing, in which case, I deeply respect your discipline). It’s about you—the real, unfiltered, coffee-spilling, ink-smudging, emotionally complex you.

So if you’ve ever hesitated to start because you think your journal should look like an aesthetic Pinterest post, let’s rip that idea to shreds. Literally—grab a page, crumple it up, and throw it in the air like confetti. Because messy journaling? That’s where the magic happens.

Messy Journaling is the Best Kind of Journaling—Here’s Why

1. It Captures Life As It Is—Not As It “Should” Be

Life isn’t neat. It doesn’t come in a perfectly bound planner with pre-dotted pages and matching highlighters. It’s a beautiful mess of emotions, memories, and late-night thoughts scribbled in half-legible handwriting.

The smudged ink? That was the night you wrote through your tears. The crumpled page? The moment you almost gave up but didn’t. The random napkin taped into your journal? Proof that inspiration hits anywhere, even at a coffee shop when you forgot your notebook.

Messy journaling isn’t about chaos—it’s about truth.

2. Perfection is Overrated (and Honestly, Kind of Boring)

Let’s be honest: trying to make every page of your journal look “perfect” is exhausting. And sometimes, that need for perfection stops you from writing at all.

But when you stop caring about how it looks and focus on how it feels, everything changes. Suddenly, you’re not journaling for aesthetics—you’re journaling for you.

So go ahead, write in different colors. Scribble over old entries. Spill your tea (literally and metaphorically). Let your journal be an evolving masterpiece, not a pressure-filled project.

3. Your Journal is a Judgment-Free Zone (Unlike Your Overthinking Brain)

You ever write something down and then immediately judge yourself for it? Yeah, same. But here’s the thing—your journal is the one place where you can be unapologetically yourself.

There’s no audience. No like button. No need for your words to be profound or poetic. Just you, your thoughts, and a page that’s willing to hold them all without question.

How to Embrace the Chaos in Your Journal

🖋️ Write First, Edit Never – Your journal is not an essay. It doesn’t need a rough draft, final draft, or MLA citations. Just write. No second-guessing. No erasing.

☕ Let the Coffee Stains Stay – Or the tea stains. Or the ink smudges. These little marks tell stories of their own. (Like that time you knocked over your drink mid-existential crisis. Iconic.)

📖 Use Whatever’s Around You – A concert ticket, a torn magazine page, a quote scribbled on a sticky note—glue them in. Your journal should feel alive, not just written.

🔥 Rant, Ramble, Reflect – Some pages will be deep, some will be chaotic, and some will just be grocery lists written at 2 AM. That’s the beauty of it.

The Beauty of the Unfinished, the Imperfect, the Real

The best journals aren’t pristine—they’re lived in. They hold stories in ink smudges, emotions in messy handwriting, and memories in crumpled pages.

So if you’ve been waiting for the “perfect” time to start journaling, stop waiting. Just open the page and write. Let it be messy, let it be raw, let it be you.

And if you spill coffee on it? Even better.

Your Turn!

💬 Tell me—what’s the messiest yet most meaningful page in your journal? Let’s celebrate the beauty of imperfection in the comments!

📌 Save this post if you needed a reminder that your journal doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be yours.

From my scribbles to yours, Ria.

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When Love Is There but the Math Ain’t Mathing

When Love Is There but the Math Ain’t Mathing

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Alright, I’ve got my big sister glasses on—hope you’re taking notes

Love and compatibility — two words that seem to go hand in hand, like peanut butter and jelly, or, more accurately, like coffee and creamer. But what if love is more like a shot of espresso, bold and overpowering, while compatibility is oat milk—smooth, necessary, and the only thing keeping that espresso from punching you in the face at 8 a.m.?

I used to believe love was enough. That feeling—that heart-thumping, mind-spinning, butterflies-in-the-stomach chaos—was supposed to be the glue that held two people together. But then I learned that love, on its own, can be as flimsy as a dollar store phone charger. It burns bright, it sparks, it even charges your phone for a while—but it’s not built to last.

The Myth of Love as the End-All-Be-All

We grow up consuming love stories where two people defy all odds just to be together. Romeo and Juliet? Please. They weren’t even compatible long enough to figure out each other’s last names before things went south. Love, in those stories, is the main character, while compatibility is the boring sidekick no one pays attention to—until it’s too late.

The truth is, love without compatibility is like trying to assemble IKEA furniture without an instruction manual. It’s all passion and excitement at first, but eventually, you’re left with frustration, missing screws, and the sinking realization that you should have checked if you had the right tools before you started.

So, What Is Compatibility?

Compatibility isn’t just about liking the same TV shows or agreeing on whether pineapple belongs on pizza (it does, by the way). It’s about:

  • Emotional Compatibility – Do you communicate in the same language? Not just “I love you” and “Good morning,” but the hard stuff—how you argue, express hurt, and navigate silence.
  • Lifestyle Compatibility – Are your routines, ambitions, and life goals at least in the same timezone? Love can bridge gaps, but if one of you dreams of backpacking across the world while the other wants a white-picket-fence life, you’re going to hit turbulence.
  • Value Compatibility – This one’s big. Do you share core values about things like family, career, faith, or even how you define success and happiness? Love doesn’t erase fundamental differences—it just hides them for a while.

Love Versus Compatibility: Who Wins?

Let’s say you meet someone who makes your heart race. The chemistry is off the charts, you finish each other’s sentences, and your playlist is weirdly identical. But then reality kicks in: Your communication styles clash. You argue in ways that leave you drained rather than understood. One of you needs constant reassurance, while the other needs space.

What happens then?

Sometimes, love tricks us into thinking we can override incompatibility with sheer willpower. But love isn’t a magic wand that makes differences disappear. Over time, those differences start to feel heavier, like carrying a backpack that gets just a little bit heavier every day—until one day, you can’t carry it at all.

Can Love and Compatibility Coexist?

Absolutely. In fact, the best relationships have both. Love is the fire, but compatibility is the foundation. Without that foundation, the fire either burns out or burns the whole house down.

This doesn’t mean you need a checklist where your partner ticks every compatibility box. But it does mean you should pay attention to the things that make love work long-term. The little things. The daily things. The “who’s going to kill the spider in the bathroom?” things. Because love might make you swoon, but compatibility makes you stay.

So, is love compatible? Not always. But when it is?  That’s the kind of love that doesn’t just survive—it thrives.

Alright, your turn—do you think love and compatibility go hand in hand, or is love just out here freeloading? Spill your thoughts in the comments.

Big Sister Wisdom, handle with care – Ria

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How I Fell Into The Dramione Rabbit Hole, And Honestly? I’m Thriving!

How I Fell Into The Dramione Rabbit Hole, And Honestly? I’m Thriving!

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There are two types of people in this world: those who have never heard of Dramione, and those who fell into a black hole of fan edits, fanfiction, and out-of-context TikTok clips and never found their way back.

If you’re reading this, you already know which category I belong to.

I’ve always been a fan of the Harry Potter books and movies, but the books more IYKYK. Ever since I saw Draco in Prisoner of Azkaban at 10 years old, I have had a crush on him. They all looked gorgeous in the movie (Puberty probaby) but there was something about Draco. I have always wanted Draco and Hermione to end up together cause what’s not to love about a bad boy changing his ways for only and only the girl he loves?

I would daydream of these scenarios as a kid and then somewhere life happened. It wasn’t until I turned 23 I was reintroduced to Harry Potter but this time to DRAMIONE TOK. It felt like my dreams had come true, unicorns existed and there was only happiness in the world because what more could 10 year old Ria want? 

Boy was I wrong. It started innocently enough. A casual scroll through TikTok, a random video popping up on my For You Page. A beautifully edited clip of Hermione and Draco staring at each other, set to an emotional Taylor Swift song. The tension? The yearning? The enemies-to-lovers perfection? Hook. Line. Sunk.

The Descent Into Dramione Madness

Like any rational person, I went to the comments section. Big mistake. “Read Manacled,” someone wrote. “If you liked this, you HAVE to read Isolation.” And so, like Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole, I followed the breadcrumbs straight into the world of Dramione fanfiction.

One fic turned into three, three turned into an all-nighter, and suddenly, I had a TBR list of fanfiction longer than my Goodreads backlog. I was annotating quotes like I was in an AP Lit class, gasping at slow-burn moments, and (most importantly) questioning why J.K. Rowling didn’t consult the internet before finalizing the canon ships.

The Fic That Started It All: Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Falling in Love

Okay, before I even knew what Dramione Tok was, there was one fic that had me absolutely hooked—Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Falling in Love. If you haven’t read it yet, you’re missing out. It’s the kind of fic that flips Draco Malfoy from being a snarky, emo disaster to a totally relatable mess—and honestly? I felt that on a spiritual level. It’s about vulnerability, growth, and a side of Draco that is, like, shockingly… sweet?

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Okay, but why are you so obsessed with this fic?” Let me explain. It’s not just about the fact that it’s a slow-burn, angsty, total swoon-fest. No, it’s because it actually makes you feel something for Draco. Watching him go from “ugh, emotions” to “I’m so in love I can’t even look at you” hit different, like too different. Honestly, if you can’t relate to a self-sabotaging, emotional wreck trying not to fall in love, are you even human?

This fic is, like, my gateway drug to everything Dramione-related. Suddenly, I’m falling down a TikTok rabbit hole of fan edits, people talking about Dramione theories, and my personal favorite: the ever-growing library of Dramione fanfics. But it all started with this one damn story that had me spiraling into a fandom that I’m low-key convinced I’ll never escape from.

The Fan Edits? A Spiritual Experience.

If you’ve never stumbled down the Dramione TikTok rabbit hole, I’m genuinely worried for you. The edits? Chef’s kiss. We’re talking top-tier artistry that has absolutely no business being this good. The color grading, the soundtrack choices, the perfectly-timed voice overs—they don’t just make you believe Draco Malfoy spent his Hogwarts years pining for Hermione Granger, they make you feel it deep in your soul. It’s not just a theory, my friend; it’s a lifestyle.

One minute, you’re casually scrolling, and then BOOM, an edit hits you like a freight train, set to Right Where You Left Me by Taylor Swift. Suddenly, you’re convinced Draco was secretly writing sad poetry about Hermione in the Malfoy Manor dungeons, and you’re not sure how to handle it. But honestly, who’s to say he didn’t?

Fanfiction: The Real Literary Canon

Listen, Dramione fanfiction isn’t just “fanfiction”—it’s a spiritual journey. It’s an emotional rollercoaster, a masterclass in character development, and proof that the fandom can craft stories that are just as, if not more, gripping than the original books. From dystopian tragedies like Manacled (which, FYI, will haunt me forever) to modern-day enemies-to-lovers gems like The Auction (I see you, drama), every story adds a new layer to the dynamic that the canon never explored.

And let’s be real for a second: isn’t it infinitely more fun to imagine a version of Draco who actually redeems himself, breaks free from his family’s toxic legacy, and falls head-over-heels for Hermione, the brightest witch of their age? The answer is yes. Always yes.

Why I’m Never Leaving Dramione Tok

At this point, leaving the Dramione fandom isn’t even an option. I’ve got playlists that would make even the most dedicated fan jealous. I’ve curated Pinterest boards filled with angst, longing, and scenes that make me wish I could live in the world where Draco and Hermione’s romance was real. I’ve even read essays that break down Draco’s secret longing like it’s a PhD thesis, and don’t get me started on the TED Talk I could give about why Dramione would’ve been the superior literary romance. I could talk for hours. No, really. Hours.

So, if you catch me five years from now, still deep in my Dramione obsession, surrounded by fan edits and an unhealthy knowledge of every slow-burn fic ever written? Just know—I regret nothing. I’m in too deep. We’re in too deep.

Your Turn, Dramione Stans

Now, I need to know: what was your gateway fic? Was it the first edit that hooked you, or maybe a particular fanfic that took you on an emotional rollercoaster you’re still recovering from? Let’s bond over the sheer brilliance of this fandom in the comments below. Honestly, I’m just trying to find my fellow Dramione stans and create a support group. We’re in this together.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my latest Dramione ramble. For more cozy fangirling and too much fanfiction love, make sure to stick around on The Cozy Corner Chronicles. And remember—whether you’re here for the edits, the fanfics, or just a comfy space to talk about your favorite OTP, you’re always welcome in my corner of the internet.

Yours in Fandom, Ria

 

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Your Inner Child Called – They Want Playtime Back

Your Inner Child Called – They Want Playtime Back

You Have Forgotten to Have Fun!

Remember when playtime was an actual thing? Back when “fun” didn’t require a Google Calendar invite and our biggest responsibility was not eating Play-Doh and sand, in my case? Yeah, me too. 

But somewhere between growing up and paying bills, we stopped playing. Now, “fun” is binge-watching a show you’re lowkey not even enjoying while also scrolling TikTok until your eyes blur.

Real talk—when was the last time you actually played? Not “haha, this meme is funny” played (cause why is that even considered playing), but really played. Like dancing in your kitchen with a spoon mic and singing off-key , building a blanket fort just because, or laughing so hard your stomach actually hurts? 

We’ve been so busy adulting, we forgot that playfulness isn’t just for kids—it’s self-care with a side of serotonin.

And let’s be honest, life’s been feeling a little too serious lately. If the most exciting part of your day is adding something to your cart and never checking out, it might be time to bring playtime back. 

Because newsflash: joy isn’t reserved for five-year-olds.

 

The Science of Play(fulness) and Why You Need It

Plot twist: Play isn’t just about having fun—it’s actually necessary for your brain. Don’t believe me? Okay but Science says so(I’m literally grinning cause I have proof). Play isn’t just for toddlers—it’s a mental health cheat code. 

Why Science Says Fun Is Non-Negotiable

Because playing reduces cortisol (aka the stress gremlin and the one term I’m fed up with hearing) and cranks up dopamine (the happy juice). It also helps you think faster, adapt better, and—get this—makes you more fun to be around. Who knew?

When you play, you’re fully in the moment—no overanalyzing that text, no doom scrolling, no existential dread about what’s for dinner. Just pure, unfiltered joy. And honestly, when was the last time you had that?

How Playtime is Basically the Free Therapy We All Need:

  • Stress? We Don’t Know Her
    Ever noticed how kids live their best lives with zero worries? That’s because play is their full-time job. Meanwhile, we’re out here scheduling our breakdowns. Time to steal a page from their book and let loose.
  • Creativity Levels: Unlocked
    Some of your best ideas happen when you’re not actively trying to be a genius. Play helps your brain connect the dots in ways a color-coded to-do list never will.
  • Better Bonds, Fewer Awkward Silences
    Playful people are magnetic. Whether it’s cracking a dumb joke, turning chores into a competition, or organizing a chaotic game night, shared laughter strengthens relationships way more than “how was your day?” ever will.
Bottom line? Playtime isn’t childish—it’s essential. So go be ridiculous. Science approves.

 

How to Add More Playtime to Your Grown-Up Life (Without Looking Completely Unhinged)

So you want to have fun but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, I got you. Try these:

  • Dance Like Nobody’s Watching (Because They’re Not) – Blast your favorite song and go full main-character mode. Bonus points if you use a hairbrush mic and dramatically lip-sync like you’re in a music video that changed pop culture forever.
  • Make a Mess for Fun – Grab some paints, doodle on a napkin, or start that DIY project you saw on Pinterest but knew would end in chaos. No pressure to be the next Picasso (taking mental notes) —just embrace the creative chaos.
  • Turn Life Into a Low-Budget Adventure – Walk home a different way even if you get lost, pick a new coffee shop, or make grocery shopping a scavenger hunt (find the most unnecessary yet tempting snack). Anything to break the daily monotony.
  • Laugh on Purpose (Yes, That’s a Thing) – Watch the dumbest, most ridiculous videos you can find. Call that one friend who always has unhinged stories. Read a book so funny you snort in public. Laughter is free therapy.
  • Channel Your Inner Child – What did mini-you love? Climbing trees? Baking cookies? Playing The Sims for eight hours straight? Do it. Your childhood self would high-five you.

 

The World Won’t End if You Play a Little

Adulthood is basically an endless cycle of responsibilities, but newsflash: fun isn’t illegal. The to-do list will always be there—joy, on the other hand, is something you have to make space for.

So here’s your mission: Do one playful thing this week. Skip down the street, have a spontaneous dance break, or talk in a ridiculous accent for no reason. Just play. 

Trust me, it’ll be worth it. You might not save the world today, but you’ll definitely save your mood.

And when you do, report back. Seriously, I want to know—drop your most ridiculous play moment in the comments!I need ideas too.

With a Spoon Mic, Ria.



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