Life lately has felt like a mosaic of small, comforting moments—each one different, yet when pieced together, they form something quietly beautiful. Yesterday was a perfect example of that. After waking up from a night shift, instead of slipping back into routine, I decided to give myself a day to breathe.

Pho Cravings Answered

First stop: Pho with friends in Birmingham. I had been craving it for so long, and finally sitting down with a steaming bowl of noodles felt like more than just eating—it was comfort, warmth, and a reminder that food can soothe not just the body but also the spirit. Around the table, laughter and stories floated between chopsticks and soup spoons, and in that moment, the tiredness of the night shift melted away.

Little Indulgences

We wandered the city afterwards, just window shopping with no real plans. But small joys have a way of finding you when you least expect them. I picked up a Selena Gomez Rare Beauty lipstick—a muted, everyday shade that felt like a soft luxury, a tiny gift to myself.

Wishlist Finally Ticked Off

And then, the highlight: finally bringing home something I’ve long wished for—an Instax camera. There’s something about the magic of instant prints, watching the photo develop slowly in your hand, imperfect but real. Unlike scrolling endlessly through a phone gallery, an Instax picture is tangible, one-of-a-kind, and rooted in the present moment.

Sweet Endings

The day wouldn’t be complete without dessert. At a café with napkins that read “You’re the sweetest”, I indulged in caramel-drizzled ice cream and hot drinks that tasted like happiness. I let myself enjoy every bite, guilt-free, because joy deserves space in our days, too.

What I’m Learning

If there’s one thing these days have taught me, it’s that happiness doesn’t always come in grand forms. Sometimes it’s in bowls of soup, in laughter shared with friends, in lipsticks that brighten your mood, in cameras that freeze fleeting smiles. Life isn’t about chasing big moments all the time—it’s about gathering these little, ordinary joys until they form something whole.