Finding Magic in the Everyday: Rituals, Habits, and Joyful Moments We’re Loving Now
Most of life isn’t made up of big milestones or glamorous events. It’s school drop-offs, sinkful of dishes, traffic lights, and Tuesday night dinners. Yet, those everyday moments are our actual lives — and they can feel magical. Not because everything changes, but because I’ve learned to layer in small details, sensory touches, and a mindset that says, “This counts.”
Here’s how I take the mundane and make it feel like something I want to remember.
1. Turn Chores Into Escapes
As you know, I’m deep in my romantasy era right now — dragons, fae males, epic battles, and just enough “oh my” moments to keep the laundry folding interesting. I listen to these audiobooks through the Libby app — a total game changer because I can add library cards from different cities to expand my reading options. Audible also gets plenty of love when I can’t wait for a new release.
My sweet spot is 1.2 to 1.5 times speed, so the pacing feels like a movie in my ears. I fold laundry, wash dishes, or drive alone with these stories as my soundtrack. What used to be chores I dreaded are now little adventures I look forward to. I mean, some action scenes get so intense I’ve caught myself handwashing a single pot for five minutes just to keep listening. IYKYK
2. Give Your Gatherings a Twist
Our book club has turned into something extra special by adding food inspired by the books we read. Each month, we potluck dishes that echo the setting or plot — preserved lemons for a story set in Morocco, Vietnamese for when we read Kristen Hannah’s “The Women”
This sensory layer turns our gatherings into immersive experiences, deepening our connection to the stories and each other. It’s one of my favorite ways to make social time feel rich and joyful without elaborate planning. We all take turns hosting but everyone contributes to the meal. There is always wine and mocktails and the kids are entertained elsewhere. It’s a time just for the girls and our books.
3. Make the Drive the Best Part
When I moved from New England to California, my commute quickly became a highlight. Driving the 52 West into La Jolla, you crest a hill and suddenly the Pacific Ocean unfolds before you — an unforgettable view that made me say, “I can’t believe this is home.”
My old Jetta had heated leather seats and a sunroof, and I’d crank both: warmth from below, sunshine from above, and ocean air rushing in. Recently, my co-blogger, Meredith drove us home from an event downtown in her Jeep with the top off (the Jeep, not us), and the simple ride felt like an adventure.
It’s a reminder that sometimes, rolling down the windows on a grocery run or a school drop-off can turn the mundane into something joyful.
4. Let Scent Set the Mood
I finally started using my massive stash of essential oils with real intention — not just in my diffuser, but by adding a few drops to unscented dish soap and laundry detergent. It’s amazing how something so simple can totally transform the vibe of household chores. Suddenly, five loads of laundry in one day feel like a mini scent journey: lavender for calm, citrus for a burst of energy, eucalyptus for laser focus. It turns the grind into a little daily indulgence, like aromatherapy you get to wear.
There’s a certain magic in how it elevates a boring task into a moment of mindfulness — a reminder that even the smallest acts can be infused with care and intention.
I’ve also been revisiting my love affair with fragrance — a world I stepped away from when I dove headfirst into clean beauty. Back in the day, my dresser was a shrine to perfume bottles, and I was known for my signature scent. But after years of ditching synthetic fragrances, those old favorites now smell harsh and synthetic to me, like a memory out of sync with my skin.
Thankfully, the clean fragrance scene has blossomed with so many gorgeous, hormone-free options. Stay tuned for a full post on the ones I’m falling in love with!
5. Curate the Vibe — Visually and Sonically
Pinterest is my digital moodboard. I don’t just pin things I want to buy, but how I want my life to feel — happy families, sun-dappled beaches, cozy reading nooks. It’s a fun alternate reality that feels full of possibility, like I’m pre-visiting a future I hope to create.
There’s something powerful about visualization, and it’s not just new-age talk — professional athletes have long used visualization techniques to enhance performance. By vividly imagining success, they prime their minds and bodies to perform at a higher level.
In a similar way, creating a moodboard is a form of gentle manifestation. When I pin images that reflect how I want my life to look and feel, I’m training my brain to notice opportunities, inspire new habits, and make space for those experiences. It’s like setting a mental GPS toward the kind of life I want, even if it’s just in small, everyday ways.
Plus, it’s fun! There’s joy in curating a visual collection of what lights you up — whether that’s recipes you want to try, cozy corners to create, or places you dream of visiting.
On the sonic side, music can transform a moment completely. As a makeup artist for brides and their parties during wedding season here in San Diego, I get a front-row seat to the soundtrack of some of the most joyful, love-filled days. I’ll often ask for their playlist — partly because it keeps me connected to that shared energy, and partly because music has a way of anchoring you right back into a moment. A certain song comes on, and suddenly you’re back in the bridal suite, laughter bouncing off the walls, champagne glasses clinking, and everyone buzzing with anticipation.
I’ve also been downloading playlists from virtual strangers or people I “meet” on Instagram. My current favorite? “Yes, Chef” by Spotify user kleonard18bf. Somehow, chopping vegetables, a glass of wine, and this soundtrack makes me feel cooler and more present — like who is this girl who’s turned prep work into a mini party?
Just like pro athletes use visualization to see themselves crossing the finish line, music and mood-setting in the kitchen are a kind of manifestation. You’re not just making a meal — you’re creating a moment, a vibe, a little slice of the life you want to live.
6. Make Eating at Home an Experience
I used to believe special treats were reserved for special occasions, but lately, I’ve embraced the idea that sometimes a Monday calls for a hefty glass of French Burgundy and a slice of tiramisu. On weekends, my son and I often “brunch at home” with scones and clotted cream, but honestly, there are days when a chocolate croissant midweek just hits the spot. Isn’t that what the French do? At least, that’s what I’ve been told — so here I am, living my best French life on a Wednesday morning, sipping coffee on the porch steps with flaky pastry in hand. Pro- tip. Trader Joe’s chocolate croissants and frozen tiramisu have become my go-to “restaurant quality” indulgences. Never leave TJ’s without scoping out the frozen section!
While I enjoy cooking, I won’t pretend I’m always in a creative mood. (Hence my love for the Trader Joe’s frozen section!) On those days, a fun sauce or a new spice blend is the perfect kind of magic to keep me from ordering takeout… again. Brands like Fly By Jing and Loisa have the amazing ability to transport me to another country or rekindle memories of past trips, and if that isn’t magic, I don’t know what is. They also give me an entry point to talking to my son about my past travels or countries we might like to visit together. Any opportunity to connect with my pre-teen is magic in my book. If you’re local check out Always Hungry in Carlsbad. They have THE BEST selection of boutique sauces from around the world, like Fly by Jing, plus you can pick up a bottle of wine from their sister wine shop, Little Victory.
7. Notice, Layer, Repeat: Creating Everyday Magic
Finding magic in the everyday isn’t about pretending life is perfect. It’s about intentionally layering small rituals, sensory details, and joyful twists into ordinary moments—turning folding laundry, cooking dinner, or sipping morning coffee into meaningful parts of the story you want to live.
By noticing and savoring these simple pleasures, you build a rhythm of daily magic that makes even the routine feel rich and full of possibility.
It’s about choosing to see the richness already present in your days and turning the volume up on what makes you feel alive and joyful.
FAQ’s
What’s the easiest place to start if I want to romanticize my life?
Start by adding something small — an audiobook during chores, a favorite scent in your laundry, or a playlist for your next errand.
Do I have to spend money to do this?
Not at all. Mindset is the biggest factor. But small, affordable touches like a favorite candle or a special mug can amplify the feeling.
What if my days feel too busy for little luxuries?
Micro-moments count. Even five minutes with a book in your swinging chair or a deep breath outside can reset your mood. This is also where the products you choose come into play. You’re going to take a shower—probably, hopefully—so if that’s already part of your day, spa-like products can effortlessly elevate the experience.