44 things to do on Sunday that will make your life better

There is nothing quite like the feeling of staying in bed a little bit longer on a dark, wintery Sunday morning to just soothe your soul and make you feel like a million dollars. It might even be the most luxurious thing you get to do all week.

As I sit here in my bed, with a full cup of Nespresso Melozio on my nightstand, Diptyque candle going, laptop on a pillow writing this blog post…I can’t help but just feel like I am right out of a coastal grandmother holiday movie scene. The only thing I am missing is a fireplace right in my bedroom with a gorgeous ocean view. Wouldn’t that just be divine?

For me, Sunday always just feels like that magical day. The day that makes you feel like the main character of a movie. The day typically dedicated to treating yourself, doing some self care and soul care.

According to Astrology, Sunday is the day ruled by the Sun. Your Sun sign (where the Sun was positioned in the sky when you were born) is the representation of your identity, how you see yourself. So it is a day energetically set up for you to cultivate a strong sense of your identity. ( I break down each day astrologically in this post ) Sunday is always a perfect opportunity to shift yourself back to identifying yourself as the main character of your own movie in order for you to have a healthy self concept, something key to your confidence and ability to manifest the life you want.

You see it all over TikTok, all the habits you can do to become ‘that girl’. While I love all of those green smoothie, 10 mile run, vacuum your all white living room inspired ideas, they just feel a little impractical to me. So, today, I wanted to go a little bit deeper with you and share 20 ‘realistic’ things you can do today to romanticize your life so that you feel a little bit more like a main character of your own movie.

20 self care things you can do to romanticize your weekend:

1. Grab that book you have half read and finish it.

   If you are anything like me, you might have 2-3 books you are currently reading and it takes you a month to get back to it. Why not make a focus to actually spend some time to focus on it and finish it? The feeling of finally finishing that book feels so so good. I also love to pile all of my favorite design books in bed and just indulge in them.

   A few books I suggest:

   • Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Joe Dispenza - this book will help you reset your vibe for the week ahead

   • The Game of Life and How to Play it by Florence Scovel Shinn - I am obsessed with this book and this woman. It’s a short and easy afternoon read that will inspire you endlessly.

2. Less screen time and more presence with your environment.

   Look, I know you are on a screen right now as you read this very blog post. But why not decide today to focus less on screens and more on your current space. The people in it, the decor, the smell, the feel. Put down the phone, turn off the tv and just take in the moments.

3. Open a window and let in fresh air.

   There is just something so therapeutic about being outside. The fresh air can just intoxicate your spirit. I know the weather doesn’t always permit but opening a window and just letting fresh air in will change the energy of your home, even if its only for 5 min.

4. Journal on 3 things you are really really grateful for.

   Even if you aren’t big on journaling, you really should make the effort. I literally love the feeling of having old journal entries to look back on 3 or 6 months down the line. It always shows you how your life is unfolding and it makes you feel like you’re in a movie when you look at your life that way.

   Don’t feel like being grateful? Try the self-love journal that I created to have you getting to know your self on a deeper level.

   5 journal prompts to help you make the most of your Sunday:

   💛 What are 3 things I enjoyed this week? Focus on the good! What brings you joy and satisfaction in your life this Sunday? What opportunities have you been blessed with? Starting your Sunday mornings off with a positive mindset through gratitude can be a real mood booster!

   💛 What are you proud of yourself for accomplishing this week? It’s time for you to get in the celebration energy so you can feel good about yourself instead of beating yourself up.

   💛 What is one way I can put myself first this Sunday?

   💛 What can you do to your home today to help you feel prepared for the week ahead? Make a list of things you could do and only actually do 1 or 2.

   💛 What held you back from being your best self in the past week and how can you adjust for the week ahead?

5. Sage your space.

   I have blogged about my love of sage many times, but this one will never not be a part of my Sunday ritual. If you haven’t saged your home yet. Today is that day. Get to whole foods, they have an entire selection to choose from. Start at your front door, light that baby up and go clockwise around your home. Let the smoke fill every corner and speak out your intentions for the week as you do it. Say prayers for what you want.

6. create a new loaded water recipe

   And get all extra about it so you can drink your weight in water. Use a large cup or bottle you love. Add fresh lemon juice and chlorophyll. I also like to add electrolyte powder to my water for extra nutrients and vitamins, too.

7. Turn on your favorite playlist and turn it up.

   One of my favorite things to do at the moment is put on Bossa Nova Beach Jazz on Youtube and let it play in the background. There’s several you can choose from, I always love the ones with fireplaces going or a view of downtown at night. It just makes your day feel so romantic and fun.

8. Wear your favorite robe all day.

   If you aren’t leaving the house, why not put on your favorite robe and wear it all day. I swear by wearing my robes. They just make you feel so glamorous and chic. I even wear perfume for myself too. It just gives you that extra little touch.

9. Try Wim Hoff breath work exercise.

   The first time I tried breath work, I was changed forever. Your body literally gets invigorated when you do it. This is the first one I ever did and I loved it so much. You can do it in bed, before you even get up and I promise it will just make your day so much better, energetically.

10. Clean & organize your HOME OFFICE

    As many of you know, Feng Shui is my thing. I am always doing little habits, tips and tricks for elevating the chi in my space. Having said that, sometimes a complete organizing session or overhaul of a closet can be too overwhelming for a Sunday.

    So, one trick I learned was that doing even the smallest organizing can have the same effect as a big one. I love to set up for a powerful work week by doing a little feng shui to my home office.

11. Go shopping for organic, whole foods & try a new recipe.

    I’m not going to lie, I don’t always eat perfectly during the week. Sometimes, I even love to order out. Last week, I ordered the most amazing pad thai and it was heavenly. So, on Sunday, it can be fun to balance it out, grab some healthy, fresh foods and try a new recipe. And make sure to make it extra big so you can meal prep it to eat for the rest of the week.

12. Take a nap and rest when you need it.

    I mean, this is one I shouldn’t have to say but I know how we women can feel incredibly guilty for allowing ourselves to be lazy and rest. We’ve been taught to look at ease, calm and flow as a negative thing. (don’t miss my podcast episode 226: 6 lies we tell ourselves as women and how to heal them)

13. Face time a loved one.

    Every time I get off of a face time call with one of my besties who doesn’t live in my city, I honestly feel so nourished. It’s like good soul food.

14. Treat yourself to a houseplant.

    I love my plants so much. They are like my little babies. I always water them a little extra on Sundays and wipe down their leaves with wet towels. It is such a fun, self nurturing ritual and I love teaching my little boy to enjoy it too. Why not get a new one if you don’t have any yet? See my houseplant ritual.

15. Wash your sheets & make your bed.

    So once you are finally out of bed, throw your sheets in the washing machine. Have you ever tried the High Maintenance glamorous wash ? When I was in high school, I was obsessed with Tyler candles and the high maintenance scent. But even all these years later, I just still love this smell. And when you get into your bed Sunday evening after using this on your bedding, your life will never be the same. I also love switching out my sheets with a fresh new set. These green bamboo are my favorite and so luxurious.

16. Put a new inspiring/motivational screensaver on your phone.

    For some reason, whenever I upload a new screensaver on my phone, I feel like my life completely just got a restart. Try it and see how it feels for you.

17. Try a new veggie juice.

    Or some kind of smoothie perhaps? I love having carrot juice or celery juice on Sunday. It just makes me feel like I am getting a healthy start to my week. Suja is my favorite brand to use if I don’t try and make it at home myself.

18. Try some hip opening positions on a yoga mat at home.

    I’m obsessed with yoga and my favorite yoga class in on Sunday morning. My favorite teacher always plays Eryka Badu as we are walking in and it just instantly puts me in a relaxed, leveled up vibe. But you can also google some yoga hip opener positions to help you. Did you know that you will release trauma as you do hip opening stretches? Life changing for us women. Trust me. You can start with something like this.

19. Create an outdoor oasis in your backyard/balcony.

    If the weather permits, I love to go out to my little outdoor space and just be. I light a little sandalwood incense, sweep away any leaves and just sit and sip my coffee. Having a little outdoor oasis can be so fun for your spirit, head to HomeGoods and grab some things to spruce up your little space. Here are some really fun ideas for your backyard space.

20. Start a new course or project.

    I always encourage the women in my community to start my courses on Sunday. Mostly because you have the time to dive into the content. This will encourage you to whip out your journal and prepare yourself for your next up-level. It helps you to shift from worry, stress or anxiety into focusing on your self. Your own growth and personal development.

    💕 Want to go on a spiritual awakening? Take my course Soul Aligned.

    💕 Want to unleash your inner feminine side? Dive into my course The Feminine Frequency: secrets of the divine feminine.

    💕 Want to manifest big money this week? Start with Soul Aligned Wealth.

21. Make a slow morning drink

    Whether it’s a matcha, coffee, or herbal tea, let this be the first thing you do with intention. Sit down while you drink it instead of multitasking. This is your reminder that your day doesn’t need to start in urgency to be meaningful.

    23. Sleep in without an alarm

    When your body wakes up naturally, it resets your nervous system in a powerful way. Let yourself wake slowly, stretch, and ease into the day without rushing. Trust that rest is productive in its own way.

    24. Light a candle to begin the day

    Lighting a candle turns an ordinary morning into a ritual. It signals to your body and mind that today is different — slower, softer, more intentional. Even small gestures like this help romanticize everyday life.

    25. Take a short digital detox

    Put your phone down for an hour and notice how your body responds. Often, clarity and calm return much faster than we expect. Sunday is the perfect day to reconnect with yourself instead of the noise.

    26. Set gentle intentions for the week

    Instead of rigid goals, ask yourself how you want to feel this week. Choose one or two emotional intentions, like ease, confidence, or presence. Let these guide your choices rather than pressure you.

    27. Cook a comforting meal

    Choose something nourishing and familiar, not complicated. Cooking with love — even for yourself — is a form of care and grounding. Let this meal remind you that you deserve to be nourished.

    28. Create a Sunday playlist

    Music has the power to shift energy instantly. Choose songs that feel calm, nostalgic, or expansive. Let it play softly in the background as you move through your day.

    29. TAKE A LONG, UNSTRUCTURED WALK OUTSIDE

    Leave your phone behind or keep it tucked away. Walk without tracking time, steps, or distance. Let your thoughts wander and your body lead.

    30. Do gentle stretching or yoga

    Choose movements that feel soothing rather than challenging. Stretching releases emotional tension stored in the body. Sunday is about listening, not pushing.

    31. Plan a solo date

    Take yourself somewhere simple — a coffee shop, park, or cozy corner at home. Treat yourself with the same care you’d give someone you love. Romance starts with how you show up for yourself.

    32. Arrange fresh flowers

    Flowers instantly soften a space and elevate your mood. Let this be an act of beauty without purpose beyond enjoyment. Your home deserves beauty simply because you live there.

    33. Write a letter to your future self

    Reflect on where you are and what you’re learning right now. Write encouragement, reassurance, and hope into the future. This practice builds trust with yourself over time.

    34. Read something nourishing

    Choose an article that expands your heart or perspective. Avoid anything that feels overly stimulating or demanding. Let reading be restorative rather than productive.

    35. Watch a comforting movie

    Pick something familiar, cozy, or nostalgic. Let yourself enjoy it without scrolling or multitasking. This kind of rest restores emotional energy.

    36. Create a mini vision board

    Focus on the next month or season instead of long-term pressure. Choose images that reflect how you want life to feel. Keep it light and intuitive.

    37. Get dressed intentionally

    Even if you’re staying home, wear something that makes you feel like you. A spritz of perfume or fresh nails can shift your mood. Feeling good in your body matters.

    38. Declutter one small area

    Choose something manageable — a drawer, shelf, or bag. Clearing physical clutter often creates mental clarity. Small resets are powerful.

    39. Practice gratitude with a warm drink

    Sit quietly and reflect on what feels good right now. Gratitude anchors you in abundance instead of lack. Let it be slow and sincere.

    40. Do something creative

    Write, draw, paint, or journal without expectation. Creativity is about expression, not outcome. Let it feel playful and freeing.

    41. Give yourself an at-home spa moment

    Treat your body with gentleness — exfoliate, moisturize, rest. This is about care, not perfection. Your body holds so much for you.

    42. Spend intentional time with family

    Be fully present without distractions. Shared meals, conversations, or quiet moments matter. These connections ground us in what truly matters.

    43. Sit quietly and do nothing

    Let yourself just be. No fixing, planning, or improving. This kind of stillness restores your nervous system deeply.

    44. End Sunday with reassurance

    Before bed, remind yourself that you did enough and you are enough. Speak kindly to yourself about the week ahead. Let Sunday close with peace instead of pressure.

Hope this post inspires you to make your Sunday incredibly special today because of course, you deserve it.

love you,

Ashlina

The Ultimate Girl’s Guide to the Travel Journal Trend (Parisian-Inspired + Affordable Options)

There’s a quiet shift happening right now — and if you’ve been feeling it, you’re not alone.

Journaling is no longer about fixing yourself, tracking habits, or forcing productivity. Instead, it has softened. It has slowed. It has become beautiful again. On TikTok, this movement has been lovingly dubbed “Journal Tok,” and it’s quickly becoming one of the most magnetic self-care trends of the year.

Women everywhere are trading endless scrolling for pen and paper, romanticizing their inner lives, and turning journaling into a ritual instead of a task. And at the center of this trend? The travel journal — elevated, intentional, deeply personal, and often inspired by Parisian craftsmanship and old-world charm.

If you’ve found yourself longing for a journal that feels less like a notebook and more like an experience — this guide is for you.

This is your girl’s guide to the travel journal trend: where it came from, why it’s so healing, how Parisian journals like Louise Carmen sparked the obsession, and how you can create the same luxurious, soulful vibe without spending hundreds of dollars.

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

image source

Journaling Is the New Self-Care Ritual

For so long, self-care was marketed as something to do — routines to follow, checklists to complete, habits to optimize. But lately, women are craving something different. Something slower. Something more intimate.

Journaling has stepped into that role beautifully.

The Journal Tok trend isn’t about writing perfectly or consistently. It’s about using journaling as a way to be with yourself again. To process emotions. To remember moments. To ground your nervous system. To make sense of your inner world without rushing it.

In a culture that constantly asks us to move faster, journaling invites us to pause.

And travel journals, in particular, have become the symbol of this shift. They represent memory-keeping over productivity. Presence over pressure. Beauty over urgency.

This is journaling as a lifestyle — not a self-improvement project.

Travel Journals are predicted to be a must have style accessory for 2026.

@lovemelinnaa

What Is a Travel Journal?

A travel journal is a dedicated notebook used to document experiences, emotions, memories, and reflections — often during travel, but just as meaningfully in everyday life. Unlike planners or productivity journals, travel journals are intentionally open-ended.

They’re designed to hold your thoughts, lists, observations, keepsakes, and personal rituals as you move through different seasons, places, and chapters of life.

Many modern travel journals are refillable using on average of 3-6 separate notebooks at a time which makes it so easy to organize it all. They are leather-bound and completely customizable with charms and inserts, making them feel less like notebooks and more like personal companions. At their core, travel journals are about presence — capturing how moments feel, not just what happens.

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

What Is the “Journal Tok” Trend?

Journal Tok is the online expression of a very offline desire: to reconnect with yourself through writing.

On TikTok and Pinterest, you’ll see women sharing:

• Morning journaling rituals with coffee

• Leather-bound travel journals filled with handwritten reflections

• Charms, ribbons, and personalized details

• Journals used as emotional companions rather than planners

What makes Journal Tok so powerful is that it removes performance. There’s no “right way” to journal. No aesthetic you must copy. No amount of pages you have to fill.

Instead, journaling becomes:

• A form of nervous system regulation

• A way to witness your own life

• A place to feel without fixing

And that’s exactly why it’s resonating so deeply right now.

The Parisian Gold Standard: Louise Carmen Travel Journals

If you’ve spent any time exploring the travel journal trend, you’ve likely come across Louise Carmen — the Parisian journal house that has become the gold standard for luxury journaling.

Louise Carmen journals are handcrafted in France and designed to be completely customizable. You choose the leather color, the inserts, the charms, the cords — even how the journal evolves over time. These journals aren’t meant to be replaced; they’re meant to be lived with.

There’s something undeniably magnetic about them.

They feel less like stationery and more like heirlooms. Like objects you pass down. Like companions to your memories. And perhaps that’s why they’ve captured so much attention — they remind us that our inner lives are worthy of craftsmanship and care.

But at a price point that often ranges from $200 to $400, they also remain aspirational for many.

And here’s the beautiful truth:
You don’t need a Parisian price tag to embody the energy.

Want the Louise Carmen Look Without the Price Tag?

One of the most empowering aspects of the travel journal trend is that it’s not about buying a brand — it’s about creating a feeling.

The Louise Carmen aesthetic can absolutely be recreated with more accessible options, and often with even more personal meaning.

Affordable Ways to Join the Travel Journal Trend:

• Etsy leather travel journals (many handcrafted and customizable)

• Amazon refillable travel journals with wrap ties or rings

• Vintage or thrifted journals for an old-world feel

• Charm sets purchased separately to personalize your journal

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

By mixing and matching elements, you create something uniquely yours — which, in many ways, feels even more aligned with the spirit of Journal Talk.

Luxury, after all, is a feeling — not a price point.

How to Choose a Travel Journal That Feels Like You

Choosing a travel journal isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about identity. Your journal becomes a mirror of your inner world, your seasons, your emotional landscape.

Here are a few popular journaling aesthetics to inspire you:

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✧ Soft & Romantic

• Blush, cream, ivory, or linen tones

• Pearl, heart, or floral charms

• Lined or softly textured paper

This style feels gentle, nurturing, and emotionally expressive.

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✧ Earthy & Grounded

• Cognac, olive, espresso, or clay leather

• Coin charms, keys, moons, or talismans

• Recycled or kraft paper

Perfect for women craving grounding, stability, and depth.

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✧ Chic & Minimal

• Black, camel, taupe, or stone

• One intentional charm (less is more)

• Clean inserts and structured layouts

This aesthetic feels timeless, calming, and quietly powerful.

louise carmen travelers notebook

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✧ Feminine & Mystical

• Burgundy, plum, navy, or forest green

• Zodiac, moon, or symbolic charms

• Blank pages for free-flow writing

Ideal for journaling as ritual, reflection, and manifestation.

Let your journal reflect not just where you’ve been — but who you are becoming.

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Ozelle Atelier

Turning Your Travel Journal Into a Self-Care Ritual

The true magic of a travel journal isn’t how it looks — it’s how it feels when you use it.

When journaling becomes ritual, it supports your nervous system, your emotional regulation, and your sense of inner safety.

Here are a few ways women are using travel journals as self-care:

• Morning journaling with coffee, before the world rushes in

• Post-travel reflection, capturing not just what happened but how it felt

• Emotional check-ins, especially during transitions or uncertain seasons

• Presence journaling, writing to anchor yourself in the moment

Your journal becomes a place where nothing needs to be solved. A place where you can simply arrive as you are.

And in a world that constantly asks you to be more, do more, and move faster — that kind of space is healing.

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What to Actually Put Inside Your Travel Journal

One of the biggest misconceptions about journaling is that you need to know what to write. You don’t. But the cool thing about these leather covered books is that there is an expandable band that can hold 3-6 different journals. You can opt for lined, grid or dotted journals.

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

You can use each journal for seperate things. Your travel journal can hold anything that feels meaningful to you.

Here are a few ideas to gently guide you:

• Travel reflections and memories

• Gratitude lists and daily observations

• Manifestation intentions or affirmations

• Receipts, ticket stubs, notes, or ephemera

• Photos, Polaroids, or pressed flowers

• Emotional check-ins or stream-of-consciousness writing

• A weekly calendar

• Habit tracker/food tracker

Your journal doesn’t need to be neat. It doesn’t need to be consistent. It simply needs to be honest.

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Why Travel Journals Feel Especially Powerful Right Now

There’s something symbolic about travel journals specifically. They remind us that life is not just something to rush through — it’s something to witness.

Even when you’re not traveling far, your inner world is always moving. Always evolving. Always worthy of reflection.

Travel journals honor that movement. They give you a place to land emotionally, to integrate experiences, and to stay connected to yourself no matter where you are.

In many ways, this trend reflects a deeper collective desire:
To live slower. To remember more. To feel deeply.

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This Isn’t Just a Trend — It’s a Return to Yourself

Journal Tok isn’t about having the perfect journal or copying someone else’s aesthetic. It’s about choosing presence over pressure and beauty as a form of care.

Your travel journal doesn’t need to be expensive. It doesn’t need to be finished. It doesn’t need to make sense to anyone but you.

It simply needs to exist — as a place where your inner life is honored.

Start with one page. One moment. One ritual.

Let it become yours.

This Isn’t Just a Journal — It’s How You Come Home to Yourself

At some point, journaling stops being about documenting your life and starts becoming the place where you meet yourself again.

That’s what this travel journal trend is really about. Not aesthetics. Not Paris. Not charms or leather or how pretty the pages look when you flip through them. Those are just the doorway. The real magic is what happens when you sit down long enough to hear your own thoughts without interruption.

For me, journaling became the place where presence finally landed in my body.

I realized I couldn’t think my way into clarity anymore. I couldn’t scroll my way into peace. I couldn’t “figure it out” in my head. I needed somewhere to put everything down — the lists, the feelings, the fears, the dreams, the half-formed desires that were asking for my attention.

My journal became the space where I started getting my life back into my own hands. Not by forcing change, but by seeing clearly. Writing things out. Naming what mattered. Letting go of what didn’t. Choosing intention over reaction.

And that’s why this trend feels so powerful right now.

We’re all craving a way to slow time just enough to make sense of where we are — and where we’re going next.

So if you’re feeling called to start a travel journal, let it be imperfect. Let it be messy. Let it hold your lists, your plans, your prayers, your reflections, and your truth. Let it help you get your shit together gently — with presence instead of pressure.

This isn’t about becoming a better version of yourself.

It’s about becoming present with the version of you that’s already here — and letting that be enough.

You may also like:

🎀 How to start a gratitude journal and unlock your manifesting power

🎀 How to become emotionally intellegent

🎀 33 heart chakra affirmations to align with love

Please feel free to email me at ashlina@thedecorista.com if you have any questions!  I’m always happy to help with decorating, life advice or even picking out a specific perfume!  Have an amazing day!!

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As always, thank you so much for stopping by today, I truly appreciate all of you! xo, Ashlina

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