Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links and links to my store.
Life can sometimes feel like a relentless whirlwind of tasks and obligations, leaving little room for moments of joy and cosiness.
For those of us with hectic schedules, the idea of romanticizing life might seem like an unattainable dream reserved for Pinterest boards. But I believe that by embracing little moments of beauty and calm within our daily routines, we can achieve a more balanced and fulfilling life, at least, as a first step.
First steps towards balance
Cosy moments are at the heart of my channel and community. Embracing mindfulness, finding joy in simple things, and living harmoniously with nature are core values for me. However, my life is normally the opposite—hectic, stressful, in front of a computer and filled with deadlines. Over the years, I’ve faced anxiety and burnout numerous times. Ironically, my friends and family admire my organizational skills, however, I often felt overwhelmed by my endless to-do lists and the pressure to do everything perfectly.
Even though I am naturally an active, ambitious and perfectionist person, I don’t romanticize toxic productivity or busy lives—many productivity gurus out there simply give me anxiety. I want to embrace productivity in a way that allows me to use my time the way I want and achieve my dreams.
Although I do crave quiet moments and being present, my mind races with pending tasks, new ideas and curiosity. Everything feels like a priority or an opportunity that can't be missed. Being an INFJ with some kind of neurodivergence makes things a bit more complicated. Slow living feels almost impossible at the moment, so finding ways to enjoy little moments, create cosiness and declutter my mind has been essential.
Enjoying & Creating Cosy Moments in the Everyday
One of the simplest ways to romanticize your life is by transforming your workspace—or the place where you spend most of your time—and engaging all your senses.
Start by making your table, desk or working area beautiful.
Place a few lovely and cosy items that make you feel good.
Add a few more touches to engage other senses and emotions: light a scented candle, play soothing music or ambient sounds, wear clothes that make you feel yourself, prepare a healthy snack and make sure to take a break to enjoy a cup of tea in a vintage cup.
Decluttering your Mind
With a busy schedule and financial pressure, our minds can become as cluttered as a messy wardrobe. Just as Marie Kondo suggests putting everything out of the wardrobe to get a clear view of everything you have, decluttering your mind starts by laying out all your tasks, deadlines, resources, and systems. This way, you can gain clarity and avoid the anxiety of wondering if you're missing something or when to start the next task.
Find a system that works for you
In my quest to find ways to romanticize my life, declutter my mind, and be more efficient, I took some time to rethink my workload and daily schedule. This helped me to set boundaries and design a more balanced —and efficient— weekly plan.
Being an organised and “list person” by nature, my notes and project plans were meticulous but scattered across different notebooks and apps. Initially, I used Google Docs and the Notes app, but their limitations became apparent. Then, I discovered Notion through an Instagram post. The aesthetics drew me in, and the functionality kept me hooked.
Again, make it pretty.
Since I spend most of my time on the computer, I also wanted to make my digital tools beautiful and inviting. Having a nice desktop wallpaper wasn't enough :) That was when I created my first Notion template.
Before delving into templates... Take 5 minutes off!
Something I’ve learned the hard way is that working non-stop doesn’t make you more productive; in fact, it does the opposite! Constantly pushing yourself can lead to burnout and diminished creativity. It’s crucial to take breaks, recharge, and allow your mind to refresh. This balance ultimately boosts your productivity and overall well-being.
So, what is Notion?
Notion is an all-in-one tool that helps you organise your life, work, projects and hobbies, all in one digital space.
You can write, plan, track, make lists, store data, create mood boards, and much more.
It's versatile and highly customizable.
It is free to download and use (unless you decide to upgrade to a premium plan, not really necessary)
My Notion setup includes a main dashboard where all my planning takes place. But there are also sections for personal goals, cosy playlists, reflection, inspiration, quotes, recipes and more.
If you don’t have Notion yet, you can sign up FOR FREE using my affiliate link. This won’t give me any commissions unless you pay for a premium plan—which you don't need—so feel free to visit the official website directly.
Shouldn’t Vintage Lovers Stick to Paper?
While I love the charm and tactile experience of writing on paper, I’ve found that a digital planner is essential for managing the majority of my life and work. With so many tasks—like writing scripts, captions, blog posts, Patreon posts, YouTube descriptions, subtitles, emails and more—I simply don’t have the time to transfer everything from paper to computer. Notion allows me to keep everything organised and easily accessible to edit, copy and paste, which is crucial for my busy schedule.
On top of that, since English is not my mother tongue, I am constantly checking words and rely on tools like translators and spelling guidance :)
However, I still cherish those cosy moments of connecting with myself through journaling on paper, especially at the end or beginning of the year.
For those who prefer to plan on paper, I recommend the gorgeous planners and journals from DreamyMoons, a small business that offers a variety of products designed to help you explore your inner world and manifest your dreams. From art and card decks to bookmarks and stickers, each item is thoughtfully crafted to inspire and empower your journey of self-discovery. Be sure to check out their stunning collection using my affiliate link and the code INDOORAWORLD to get 10% off the entire order.
✧ Introducing my Aesthetic Notion Templates ✧
These templates are a great starting point, saving you the time and effort of creating a complex setup from scratch, but they are highly customizable. Make all the changes you want so that they resonate with you :)
Does Notion sound intimidating? Don't worry! The Cozzy Planner comes with a tutorial that will guide you through each page and section of your planner, ensuring you get the most out of this template.
STYLES:
Cozy
Dark Academia (free)
Studio Ghibli (free)
I invite you to try my new Aesthetic Notion Templates. They’re not just for content creators—they can be tailored to any lifestyle, project, career, or work. I offer some for free, with an option to donate if you find them helpful, and a more elaborate one for less than USD 3.
🤎 It is also a wonderful way to support my work as a creator and my dream of making a living from Indoora World one day.
I hope you find these tips and the template helpful, and that they inspire you to find your own moments of beauty and cosiness amidst a busy life.
With love,
Indoora
The Cozy Planner - Life Planner Notion Template
Get it for only $2.20 + taxes if applicable
FREE Studio Ghibli Notion Planner - The Secret World of Arrietty
FREE Dark Academia Notion Planner
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