Some days, my mental health is low in a way that’s hard to ignore.

I feel drained, unmotivated, and easily overwhelmed, even when nothing obvious has gone wrong. Little things take more energy than they should, and my brain feels stuck on a low setting.

When I’m in that headspace, I don’t want advice or productivity tips. I don’t need to fix myself or push through it. What actually helps are small, familiar comforts—things that don’t ask anything from me but make the day feel more manageable.

These are a few of the things that bring me comfort when my mental health is low. They’re not solutions or cures—just simple comforts that help me get through harder days without making things feel worse.

1. Breaking a sweat

I try to move my body in some way every day. My work is very sedentary, and I really don’t feel good if I’m sitting for 12+ hours a day – and I don’t think anyone does. Breaking a sweat always makes me feel better both physically and mentally. If something is weighing on my mind, getting my body moving makes those thoughts feel less heavy, or at least helps me think more clearly. Remembering how I’ll feel after even a short workout is usually enough to get me started, even when I don’t really feel like it.

Bonus points if I’m getting my exercise outside, because nature is another big comfort for me.

2. Watching comfort shows

Everybody has their comfort shows, right? As a neurodivergent person, comfort shows are a big thing for me. I rarely ever watch new shows . There’s something so reassuring about rewatching a show I already love for the 27,379th time. Most of the time I’m not even fully focused on the TV, so having something familiar on in the background feels comforting instead of overwhelming. When I’m feeling low, letting my tired brain watch something predictable honestly just feels like a hug.

Some of my favorites:

• Bob’s Burgers
• Seinfeld
• Gilmore Girls
• Regular Show
• New Girl

3. Spending time on my hobbies

When my mental health is low, leaning into my hobbies helps me feel more like myself again. Reading, going for walks and taking photos, working on my blog, or crocheting something gives my mind something to focus on without pressure. These are the kinds of activities that let me be present without overthinking or forcing productivity. Even doing them for a short amount of time helps break the feeling of being stuck in my head.

4. Planning, brain dumping, and journaling

When my mind feels all over the place, finding ways to slow it down has been key – not just for feeling better, but for getting anything done. Writing down a to-do list or what I want to accomplish helps me look at things more logically and stops me from panicking. Things can feel incredibly overwhelming when they’re only in my head, but once I write them down, they lose a lot of their power. Brain dumping worries, working through solutions, or just journaling things out in general is surprisingly calming for me. Definitely a big comfort when my mental health is low.

5. Spending time with my pets

Spending time with my pets brings me a kind of comfort that’s hard to explain. Whether I’m petting my cat, sitting with my dog, or just watching them exist in their own little world, it almost always lifts my mood. They move through life without carrying the same worries we do, and being around that kind of calm, uncomplicated joy feels grounding in the best way.

Their presence reminds me to slow down and stay in the moment. When my mental health is low, the love they give so freely makes everything feel a little lighter, even if nothing else has changed.

Final Thoughts

These are some things that bring me comfort when my mental health is low. None of these things fix everything—and they don’t need to. They just make hard days a little more manageable, which is sometimes enough. If you’re going through something similar, I hope you’re able to find one small thing today that brings you a bit of comfort too.

What’s one small thing that brings you comfort on hard days?

The post 5 Things That Comfort Me When My Mental Health Is Low appeared first on coffee with alice.

While I absolutely love sharing pieces of my life here and connecting with you across my blog and social media, I’m always aware that what you see is only a small slice of the full picture.

Most of the time, that feels totally okay (because truly, no one needs front-row seats to me rotting on the couch in my pajamas). But every now and then, I find myself wishing I could share a little more of the quieter, everyday moments too — the ones that don’t always make it online but still make up so much of my life.

Not the highlight-reel stuff. Not the perfectly productive days or carefully curated routines. Just the simple things I reach for when I have a bit of free time — the hobbies, habits, and little comforts that help me unwind and feel like myself again.

So today, I wanted to do exactly that. I’m sharing some of my favorite things to do in my free time. Nothing impressive. Nothing life-changing. Just the things that genuinely bring me joy lately. Think cozy, creative, and very real.

10 Favorite Things to Do in My Free Time:

1. Blogging

Blogging has been something I’ve loved for years now, even if it’s looked a little different at every stage. I think it really started back when I was posting on Tumblr — writing little thoughts into the void without really thinking of it as “blogging” at all.

Now, this feels like my first real blog. A place I’m intentionally building, but still writing in the same honest, reflective way. It’s comforting, creative, and one of the few spaces where I feel like I can fully think out loud.

2. Reading

Reading has always been part of my life, but it’s especially become a nighttime ritual. Most evenings, I read before bed — even if it’s just a chapter or two.

It helps my brain slow down after a long day and gives me something calm to focus on before sleep. There’s something so comforting about ending the day inside a story.

3. Taking Photos

I love taking photos — not in a polished or professional way, but in a quiet, noticing-little-moments kind of way. I’m drawn to cozy corners, soft light, books, coffee, and everyday scenes that feel comforting.

Taking photos helps me slow down and appreciate things I might otherwise rush past, and I love looking back on them as little reminders of how moments felt.

4. Watching YouTube

I almost always need background noise to focus, and YouTube fills that role perfectly. Whether I’m cleaning, crocheting, writing, or just sitting around, it’s usually playing in the background.

And yes — I’ll admit it — YouTube drama commentators bring me an unreasonable amount of comfort. Slightly embarrassing? Maybe. But it makes everything feel less quiet, and I’ve fully accepted that about myself.

5. Walking / Hiking

Going for walks or easy hikes is one of the ways I reset when my thoughts feel loud. I don’t track steps or try to make it productive — I just walk.

Sometimes I listen to something, sometimes I don’t. Either way, being outside and moving my body helps me work through things in my head without forcing myself to figure anything out.

6. Crocheting

Crocheting feels especially comforting because it reminds me of my childhood. My mom was always crocheting when I was growing up, so it’s something I naturally gravitated toward over time.

Now, working on projects little by little feels cozy and familiar. It’s slow, imperfect, and calming — which honestly makes it even better.

7. Baking

I’m definitely not the most experienced baker, but that’s part of what makes it fun. I enjoy trying new recipes, experimenting a little, and seeing how things turn out — even when they’re not perfect.

Baking feels creative in a slower, more hands-on way, and the process itself is just as enjoyable as the end result.

8. Watching Movies with My Bestie

Ordering takeout and watching movies together is one of my favorite traditions. We try to make it a regular thing when we can, and it’s genuinely one of the highlights of my week.

It’s never fancy — just comfort food, familiar movies, and time spent with someone I love. Simple nights like that are the ones I cherish most.

9. Journaling

Journaling is something I come back to whenever my thoughts feel tangled or overwhelming. I don’t use prompts or follow any structure — I just write whatever needs to come out.

Some entries are thoughtful, some are repetitive, and some are complete chaos. But letting it all exist on the page helps me check in with myself in a way nothing else really does.

10. Making Playlists

Making playlists is one of my favorite quiet hobbies. I love curating songs based on moods, seasons, or phases of life.

I tend to listen to the same few songs on repeat until they start to feel like a chapter of my life, and I love how music can set the tone for an entire day.

What are a few things you naturally reach for when you have a little free time?

The post 10 Favorite Things to Do in My Free Time appeared first on coffee with alice.

Inspiration shows up in the smallest places.

Sometimes it’s a quiet morning routine, a song that hits just right, or something cozy that makes everyday life feel a little more intentional. I’ve learned that staying inspired doesn’t always come from big moments — it usually comes from noticing the little things that make me feel grounded, creative, and motivated.

In this post, I’m sharing ten things that inspire me lately. Some are simple, some are personal, and all of them play a role in how I think, create, and move through my days. If you’re feeling stuck, unmotivated, or just craving a reset, I hope this list sparks something for you too.

Here are 10 things that inspire me!

1. Nature

There’s something deeply calming about being surrounded by trees, fresh air, and open sky. Nature reminds me to slow down, to breathe deeper, and to remember that not everything needs to be rushed. It brings me outside of myself, in a good way. Even a short walk outside can completely reset my mindset when I’m feeling overwhelmed.

2. Music

Music has always been a huge source of inspiration for me. I’m especially drawn to retro alternative rock — bands like Brand New and Taking Back Sunday feel nostalgic, emotional, and honest in a way that really resonates with me. Music helps me process feelings I don’t always have words for, and sometimes it feels like it understands me better than I understand myself.

3. Completing small tasks

There’s something incredibly satisfying about crossing even the smallest things off my to-do list. Whether it’s making my bed, answering an email, or tidying up one small area, those little wins add up. They remind me that progress doesn’t have to be huge to matter.

4. Getting lost in a good book

Few things inspire me like disappearing into a book. Reading allows me to step into another world, see life through someone else’s perspective, and momentarily escape my own thoughts. It’s both comforting and motivating — and sometimes exactly what my brain needs.

5. Helping others

Helping someone, even in a small way, gives me a sense of purpose and connection. It reminds me that of course, kindness matters and that we’re not meant to move through life completely on our own. Being there for others often inspires me to be gentler with myself, too.

6. Other bloggers & content creators

I find so much inspiration in other bloggers and creators who share their thoughts, experiences, and creativity online. Seeing people show up authentically — imperfect, honest, and human — encourages me to do the same. It reminds me that there’s space for all of us to share our voices.

7. Writing lists & journaling

Brain dumps, lists, and journaling are some of my favorite ways to process my thoughts. Writing things down helps me organize the chaos in my head and makes everything feel a little more manageable. It’s not about being poetic or polished — it’s about getting it out.

8. My loved ones

The people in my life inspire me more than anything. They inspire me to be a better person every day. Their support, love, and presence remind me to show up with more patience, kindness, and gratitude. They ground me, encourage me, and remind me that I don’t have to do everything alone

9. Prayer

Prayer gives me a sense of peace and perspective, especially during times when I feel lost or uncertain. It reminds me that I can pause, reflect, and place my worries somewhere outside of myself. Even quiet moments of prayer help me feel centered again.

10. Fashion

Finally, fashion inspires me as a form of self-expression. The way clothes can reflect mood, personality, or creativity fascinates me. Getting dressed can feel like a small but meaningful way to show up for myself and express who I am that day.

Inspiration doesn’t have to be loud or extraordinary.

If you’re ever feeling stuck or uninspired, it might help to take a moment and notice the small things that quietly keep you going. Sometimes we find it in the most familiar places — the things that gently remind us who we are and what truly matters.

What inspires you lately?

The post 10 Things That Inspire Me appeared first on coffee with alice.