October always feels like a reset button for me. The air is cooler, the candles are cozier, and suddenly Iām aware that there are only three months left in the year. Itās the perfect time to pause, reflect, and ask: how do I want to finish this year?
For me, that looks like a few big focuses. Writing-wise, Iām diving into my draft of Project Ember and pushing myself to make meaningful progress before the new year. Personally, Iām focusing on fitness, rebuilding my evening routine, and creating more balance in my days as a stay-at-home mom and author. For my online creative work, Iām setting a goal to grow my YouTube channelānot just in numbers, but in quality. I want my videos to feel cozy, inspiring, and like little pockets of encouragement for anyone watching.
Of course, itās not all work and goals. Iām also looking forward to the fun of this season: pumpkin patches, hayrides, cozy reading nights, and plenty of time spent coloring or journaling in my planner. These little rituals are just as important as the big milestones because they fill the days with joy.
At the heart of it, thatās why I share my journey here. I want to document the path toward my publishing dreams, yes, but I also want to remind you (and myself) that weāre not alone. Growth can feel messy, comparison can creep in, and routines can slipābut thereās always a chance to reset, refocus, and create something beautiful with the time we have left.
Hereās to finishing the year with intention, creativity, and maybe a little bit of magic.
Lately, my evenings havenāt looked the way I want them to. Iāve been slipping into a cycle of doomscrollingāscrolling past bedtime, convincing myself Iām just āwinding downā when really, Iām robbing myself of true rest. This habit even has a name: revenge bedtime procrastination. Itās when you stay up late doing things that arenāt restorative simply because you want to reclaim some sense of personal time.
But hereās the thingāI donāt want my āme timeā to be endless scrolling. I want it to feel intentional, cozy, and nourishing.
My ideal evening looks more like this: a bubble bath with a seasonal candle burning nearby, a lighthearted book or soft music playing in the background, and a few easy chores like folding laundry or tidying my desk. After that, Iād curl up with a coloring book or journal to let my creativity flow, and then finish with skincare and a good nightās sleep. Simple, but so much more rewarding than losing an hour to my phone.
If youāve been feeling the same way, maybe itās time to reclaim your evenings, too. Ask yourself: what little rituals would actually make me feel cared for at the end of the day? Whether itās tea and a novel, stretching before bed, or pampering yourself with skincare, choose habits that restore you.
Because at the end of the day, you deserve an evening routine that feels like a gift, not an afterthought.
Hello, dear readers, my name is Elizabeth Yuen, and welcome back to my cozy corner of the internet. As always, my focus is on writing worlds, dreaming big, and making every day magical. Today, Iām diving into something I look forward to every fallāsetting up my full October and Halloween planners.
If youāre someone who loves planning, seasonal setups, or just peeking inside other peopleās creative routines, youāre in for a treat. This month, Iām working with several gorgeous planners from The Daily Grind, and their Halloween collection has truly captured the magic of the season. September was all about cozy autumn vibes, but now weāre officially stepping into spooky season.
My Halloween Planner Collection
I went a little wild (okay, a lot wild!) with the new covers this year. I picked up:
Twisted Thorn Manorā A gothic dream inspired by Morticia Addamsā garden.
Phantom Estate ā Their Haunted Mansion-inspired design, complete with a hotel key motif.
Mystic Castle Commons ā A Harry Potter-inspired cover that has an inside that looks just like the Gryffindor common room.
Plus some others from previous collections that I still adore, like the cozy autumn pumpkin pancake cover.
Each one has its own vibe, so Iāve been assigning different uses: my Glow Up Challenge, my reading tracker, my self-improvement notes, and even coloring pages (because why not keep things whimsical?).
The 121 Glow Up Challenge
One of the ways I keep myself grounded and focused is through the 121 Glow Up Challenge. Itās a 121-day journey that originally ran from September through December, but you can start anytime. I began a few years ago, right after having my kid, and it helped me feel like myself again. Now, itās become a daily ritual.
This October marks the third month of my current challenge, and Iāll be updating my planner with reflections, progress, and intentions. Itās such a good reminder that no matter how chaotic life feels, I need to make space for my own well-being and growth.
Self-Improvement & Spooky Vibes
This year, Iām also participating in The Daily Grindās October series, Get Your Ish Together, a 31-day program for self-growth. It felt fitting to dedicate my Twisted Thorn Manor cover to this journey. Thereās something about pairing shadowy gothic aesthetics with self-reflection that feels perfectly Halloween-y.
Octoberās first prompt was about finding your starting pointāasking yourself, Do you feel lost? Honestly, I do right now. Between writing, motherhood, and balancing everything in between, Iāve felt a little scattered. But having this ritual of sitting down with a planner, a candle, and even something as simple as pouring an Ollipop into a wine glass makes me feel grounded again. Itās these small, intentional touches that make planning feel like self-care instead of a chore.
Reading & Seasonal TBR
And of course, no month is complete without a reading plan! My Mystic Castle Commons cover is housing my bookish spreads this year, including cozy coloring pages. I didnāt get through all my September TBR (life happens), so Iāll be rolling a few titles over into October alongside some spooky reads to match the season. A full October TBR post is coming soon!
Wrapping It Up
So, thatās my October planner lineupāequal parts cozy and spooky, functional and magical. Each planner has its own personality, just like each area of my life, and switching covers for the season brings me so much joy.
If youāre also deep into spooky setups or just love fresh stationery, Iād love to hear: whatās your favorite planner cover or theme for October?
Until next time, happy planning and Happy Halloween! š
The end of the year always sneaks up faster than I expect. One minute itās summer, and the next weāre staring down the holiday season, wondering where the time went. This year, instead of waiting until January to make resolutions, I decided to start early with something called the 121-Day Glow Up Challenge.
September 1st marked the countdown: 121 days until the new year. Rather than letting those days slip by, Iām treating them as an opportunity to realign with my goals and finish the year strong.
Here are the areas Iām focusing on:
Fitness: Iām blending lifting, yoga, and running into my weekly routine, with the goal of hitting my healthiest, strongest self. Reaching my ideal weight is part of it, but more importantly, I want to feel energized and capable.
Writing: My big creative goal is finishing and refining Project Amber. This book has been living in my heart for months, and I want to carry its momentum into the new year.
Mindset: Staying consistent with my Daily Grind Planner, routines, and journaling has been life-changing. This challenge is also about maintaining that structure so I donāt lose myself in the chaos of the holiday season.
What I love about this challenge is that itās a reminder that transformation doesnāt have to wait for January 1st. Every single day counts. Small, consistent actionsāwhether itās writing 500 words, choosing a nourishing meal, or taking 20 minutes to move my bodyācompound into big results over time.
If youāre craving a reset, I invite you to join me in your own version of a glow up challenge. Pick one thing you want to carry across the finish line this year. Imagine how much progress you can make in 121 days.
So tell meāwhatās one thing youād like to accomplish before the year ends?
Hello, dear reader! My name is Elizabeth Yuen, and welcome back to my cozy corner of the internet, where my focus is all about writing worlds, chasing dreams, and making every day magical. āØ
This week, Iām sharing something that feels like a true seasonal resetāthe arrival of my new Daily Grind Planner covers, which were part of their fall launch.
I ended up choosing two covers that perfectly capture my current vibe:
š» Haunted Hollow Cover ā moody, bat-filled, and dripping with Haunted Mansion vibes.
What I love most about these covers: the return of a pen holder (yay!), pumpkin accents on the discs, and inserts that feel magical and motivating.
This season, Iām using Pumpkin Pancake as my main planner and Haunted Hollow as my little fall escape. With these, I feel more inspired than ever to map out the rest of the year.
Take a look at my full fall planner setup and how Iām mapping my top 10 goals for the rest of 2025. š
Confession time: when I hit a reading slump, I always go back to my comfort books. For me, that means revisiting Twilight, Jennifer Estepās Crown of Shards series, or Sarah J. Maasās ACOTAR. Thereās something about familiar characters and worlds that feels like wrapping yourself in a blanket on a cool autumn night.
Why Comfort Reads Work
Comfort reads remind us why we fell in love with reading in the first place. Theyāre familiar, cozy, and reliable when our reading rhythm falters. They help ease us back into stories without pressure.
Balancing Comfort With New Discoveries
This fall, Iāve been challenging myself to balance comfort reads with new-to-me books using the Autumn Reading List insert. On one hand, my favorites recharge me. On the other, new seasonal picks (like The Society of Irregular Witches or Hour of the Pumpkin Queen) add excitement and discovery.
How It Helps My Writing
As a writer, comfort reads give me reassurance while new reads spark inspiration. Together, they keep my creative well full.
āØ Takeaway: Donāt feel guilty about re-reading your favorites. Theyāre not a āwaste of timeāātheyāre fuel for your imagination and soul.
š Whatās your ultimate comfort read when youāre in a slump?
Fall is the perfect season for reading. The nights get cooler, candles come out, and suddenly my to-be-read list grows tenfold. But lately, I realized I wasnāt reading as much as I wanted, so I gave myself a reset: setting up my fall TBR using my Daily Grind reading planner and their Autumn Reading List insert.
Why Reading Fuels My Writing
As a writer, reading is part of my creative process. It sparks new ideas, expands my imagination, and makes me a stronger storyteller. Thatās why Iām treating my fall TBR like an intentional ritual, not just a random stack of books.
How Iām Setting It Up
Instead of writing directly onto the Autumn Reading List insert, Iām using sticky notes to draft my TBR. That way, I can shuffle books around, swap titles in and out, and adjust for my reading mood. Right now, my September lineup includes:
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches (witchy, cozy)
Hour of the Pumpkin Queen (perfect for Halloween vibes)
Comfort + New Reads
Iām balancing comfort re-reads (like Twilight or ACOTAR) with new-to-me seasonal reads. This way, I get the cozy familiarity of old favorites but also the excitement of discovering something fresh.
āØ Takeaway: If youāre building your fall TBR, try mixing old comfort reads with one or two new seasonal picks. Itās the perfect way to keep reading regularly.
One thing that has always bugged me in fantasy books is the overused trope of the heroine suddenly discovering hidden powers and instantly mastering them. You know the ones: she picks up a sword for the first time and somehow defeats the kingdomās strongest warrior, or she unlocks a magical ability and immediately controls it with ease.
In my WIP, Project Ember, I wanted something different. My heroine struggles.
Sheās not naturally gifted in combat or magic. She failsāsometimes spectacularly. She doubts herself. And yes, there are real consequences for her mistakes. Her growth doesnāt come from hidden talent or destiny, but from resilience, persistence, and the willingness to get back up after falling.
This choice was inspired by my own life. Take yoga, for example. Iāve been practicing for years, and progress hasnāt been instant. Flying poses didnāt come naturally to meāI had to build strength, improve my balance, and learn through trial and error. My journey wasnāt glamorous, but it was authentic.
Thatās exactly the kind of reality I wanted for my heroine. Because letās be honestāmost of us donāt master things on the first try. Most of us have to work for our skills, whether itās in sports, academics, or creative pursuits. Seeing a character reflect that same truth feels more inspiring to me than watching someone succeed without effort.
My hope is that readers will connect with her journey because it mirrors their own. After all, isnāt it more powerful when a character earns their strength instead of having it handed to them by fate?
So tell meādo you prefer characters who are naturally gifted, or ones who grind, fail, and grow along the way?
I just finished Hour of the Pumpkin Queen, and I loved every page of it! If you havenāt heard of this series, itās essentially fanfiction in published formāfollowing Sally Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas as she steps into her role as Pumpkin Queen. Itās whimsical, heartfelt, and full of cozy Halloween charm.
Hereās a quick breakdown:
Book 1: Long Live the Pumpkin Queen Sally is navigating her new life alongside Jack. While he thrives on being the extroverted, larger-than-life Pumpkin King, Sally is deeply introverted and unsure of herself. The story follows her as she balances his big personality with her own need for quiet, while also stepping into a position of leadership she never asked for.
Book 2: Hour of the Pumpkin Queen Set a year later, Sally is trying to do it allākeeping traditions alive, carrying the weight of expectations, and shouldering responsibilities she doesnāt want to burden Jack with. Of course, it all becomes too much. This story beautifully explores how she learns that she doesnāt have to handle everything on her own, and that asking for help isnāt weaknessāitās strength.
As an introvert myself, I found Sallyās journey so relatable. Her inner conflict of wanting to do things well while simultaneously longing for peace and quiet felt very true-to-life. Plus, the tender romance between Jack and Sally is woven throughout with such care. Thereās no spice hereājust pure, comforting love.
And can we talk about the atmosphere? These books ooze cozy Halloween vibes. From pumpkin patches to magical mishaps, theyāre the kind of reads you curl up with under a blanket, candle flickering nearby.
If youāre into character-driven stories, gentle romance, or books that feel like seasonal fanfiction in the best way, I canāt recommend this series enough. Now the real question isāwill there be a third book? I, for one, am crossing my fingers that Sallyās story continues.
Thereās something magical about starting with a clean slate before diving into a new chapter of writing. For me, the ritual of tidying is just as important as the act of sitting down at my desk with my laptop.
After my husband and I returned from a weekend trip, the house was in that classic post-trip chaos stateābags dumped by the front door, the playroom scattered with forgotten toys, and my office looking like a Halloween storage unit had exploded. Not exactly the most inspiring environment to return to.
Before I could even think about writing Chapter 34 of my WIP Project Ember, I knew I needed to reset. So I rolled up my sleeves and got to work. The dishes went into the dishwasher, countertops got a quick wipe-down, toys were tucked back into their bins, and my office was restored to a place where creativity could breathe again.
Hereās the thingāit wasnāt about achieving perfection. My home didnāt suddenly look like a magazine spread, but the act of clearing clutter gave me mental space to breathe. With a fresh environment, my brain could shift from āugh, I need to cleanā to āyes, Iām ready to create.ā
For me, cleaning is a form of creative preparation. Just as some writers light a candle, brew a cup of tea, or put on a specific playlist, my ritual is restoring order so my imagination has room to roam.
Iāve learned that clearing physical clutter often clears mental clutter too. When my environment feels chaotic, my writing usually does too. But when I reset my space, I approach the page with more focus, more calm, and more openness to inspiration.
What about you? Do you find that tidying up helps your creativity flow, or are you the kind of writer who thrives in organized chaos?
Elizabeth Yuen 