The Cozy Edit

End of Year Recap

January 1, 2026

The first half of the year was… fine. Typical. There was a small health scare with a family member, but everything turned out okay and life kept moving along as expected.

Then summer hit.

I got laid off.

Not devastating because I loved the job, I was already planning a transition but devastating because it was ripped out from under me in the most unexpected, childish, and frankly belittling way. But we’re not dwelling on that. Let’s call it a blessing in disguise.

Except the disguise didn’t stop there.

About a month later, my husband injured himself at the gym. He was out of work for months. No extra income. No backup plan. Suddenly, we went from two solid incomes, to one good income, to one very average income. Great.

What followed were months of fighting, first with unemployment, then with the IRS. We had to pull our toddler out of an incredibly expensive school program that probably would have saved my sanity. And we did all of this alone. No village. No support.

This lasted for months.

Our family was tested.
My marriage was tested.
My patience completely disappeared.

Why can’t anything just work out?

If I’m being honest, I haven’t been the best mom or wife since losing that job. Not because I loved it, but because I am a very structured person, and that job and routine had been part of my life for nearly ten years. Everything revolved around it. I got comfortable. Complacent, even. When it disappeared, I spiraled and I’m not entirely sure that spiral is over.

I stayed in school, but everything felt harder. We couldn’t afford childcare, so I tried to do all the things, keeping the house together, managing life, holding everything up but I was constantly stuck. I started substitute teaching, but without consistent childcare I had to turn down a ton of jobs. On top of that, I didn’t even get calls for the first two months because, apparently, it’s all about who you know and I didn’t know anyone.

We were sick for months after my toddler started on-campus childcare on the days I had class. I was miserable every single day living this life.

It’s still hard. I can’t say I’m happy yet but I’m working on it.

The holidays came and went, and they were so fucking depressing. We don’t have a village. No one made the effort. Everyone expected things from us when we were struggling the most.

I have been more depressed than I’ve ever been in my entire life. And I truly think it affected my marriage and my life over the past few months. Communication was nonexistent. Everything turned into a fight. Everyone in the house was irritable. It was hell.

I couldn’t let go of negativity. If something upset me, it ruined my entire day. I didn’t want to be around anyone.

Today is the first day of 2026, and those feelings are still here. I’m still depressed about our situation. I’m still angry that my routine was ripped from me. I still haven’t found my footing in a new one. I’m still angry that I have to handle even more now that I’m working again and I resent those responsibilities.

And I’m still angry that I haven’t been happy for months. Worse, I blame myself for not pulling myself out of it.

Looking Ahead

What I hope for in the new year isn’t a complete 180 or instant transformation. I hope to build routine anchors that don’t revolve around temporary things. I hope to prove to myself that I am more than an employee that I can live a happy, full life without letting others dictate what does and doesn’t make me happy.

Things will still be hard. Probably for a while.
But I can do hard things and still be happy.

I don’t have to let people or jobs drain me. A job isn’t a life it’s a source of income. Your life and happiness should come first, and everything else should fall in line around that.

The last half of 2025 completely broke me.

I expect the first half of 2026 to be about picking up the pieces—slowly—and building a happiness and a life that no one and nothing can take from me.
Oura Ring Review: My Honest Experience After One Month of Tracking Sleep, Readiness, and My Cycle

October 5, 2025

I got my Oura Ring a month ago, and I love it. I am not a gym girl or a wellness guru, but I do love tracking metrics. Lately, I have been trying to listen to my body more so I can be more in tune with what is going on and make sure I am prioritizing my health, because honestly, I have been doing a pretty bad job since summer and it has caught up with me.

My first mistake was wearing it when my toddler was away for a week. I got an amazing amount of sleep that I never get regularly, so my baseline definitely started off skewed.

One of my main reasons for getting the Oura Ring was my unpredictable periods. I wanted to track my temperature, but I knew I would never stay consistent with using an oral thermometer since I am forgetful. Of course, my usual 45–50 day cycles decided to calm down to 38 days during my first month wearing it. I did notice the temperature change, and it dropped right when my period started, which was really cool to see.

I am not working right now, which is rare for me, so I have been less active than usual. I am trying to enjoy my downtime while I can, but my ring definitely does not love when I am in couch potato mode. I also got sick about a week and a half ago, and the ring did not pick it up at all, which was one of the main reasons I bought it. I was not mad though, because it was still collecting data and establishing my baseline. I made sure to tag the days I was congested and had a fever to help it improve its accuracy next time.

Overall, I really like it. The app told me it needs about two months of data before cycle predictions become accurate, which makes sense. I am curious to see what it picks up over time, especially with my irregular cycles, and whether my body has patterns I should be paying more attention to.

I am still learning about all the metrics, but so far, I am impressed. The ring helps me listen to my body, pay attention to my energy, and prepare for my day based on my readiness and sleep scores.

I will admit that some days the scores feel a little off. There were a couple of mornings when my readiness score was in the 90s, but I was hungover or still extremely tired. I am not too concerned, because I know it takes time for the data to stabilize.

Overall, the Oura Ring has been a great investment. I am excited to keep learning from it and to continue staying more connected with my body every day.
Learning Patience Through Houseplants: A Beginner Mama’s Journey

October 1, 2025

I started getting into houseplants a little after my wedding because I wanted an earthy home filled with natural light and greenery. The funny part? I was living in a basement apartment with zero natural light. But me being me, I did it anyway.

I started with two Calathea plants because Google said they were manageable low-light plants. I thought they would be perfect. I was wrong. They lasted maybe three months before giving up on me.

When we bought our house in 2024, which was filled with natural light, I knew it was time to start fresh. I think my first real attempt was with another Calathea, and it wasn’t too bad. Then I got cocky and picked up a rubber fig from Trader Joe’s, which went south quickly. It started to droop and rot from overwatering, and on top of that, my toddler kept ripping off the leaves.

By April 2025, I began experimenting with a small balcony garden bed and focused on herbs. To my surprise, they were a lot easier than I expected, though I struggled with knowing when to cut, prune, and maintain them. Still, they were thriving by May, while my rubber fig was suffering.

In June, I repotted my Calathea and rehabbed my rubber fig back to life, which gave me some hope. That same month, I bought a Monstera from Home Depot because I always thought they were beautiful and brought so much life into a space. Within a week, I had a huge new leaf. It was rootbound and needed a bigger pot, but I was so nervous about shocking it that I put it off for longer than I should have.

By August, I picked up two more plants—a False Aralia and a Golden Pothos—and did a full repot and soil refresh for all my plants. To my relief, they’re thriving. The Pothos is ready to climb and hang, the Monstera and Calathea are happy in humidity and bright indirect light, and so far, even the notoriously tricky Aralia is doing okay.

Closing Reflection

In the right setting, houseplants are my jam. They’re slow and need lots of care, but so do people. I want to buy more plants, but for now, I need my toddler to be a little less destructive and to find proper spots for them that don’t interfere with our living space.

What’s surprised me most about this journey is how much it’s teaching me patience. I’ve always been someone who loves instant gratification, but plants are the opposite. They force me to slow down, wait, and trust the process. And honestly, I haven’t given up on them yet. Snaps to me, because sometimes I impress myself with the simplest nuances.
About TheCozyEdit

September 24, 2025

Welcome to The Cozy Edit ✨

This is my little corner of the internet where internal dialogue meets external self. In other words: the things I think about (venting, overthinking, mom life, marriage, ADHD hobbies) mixed with the things I love (plants, bread baking, cooking from scratch, and all the cozy finds that make life a little easier).

I’m not here to sell you a “perfect lifestyle.” I’m here to share real thoughts, honest reviews, and the products that actually make a difference in my everyday chaos. If you’ve ever said “ugh, same” while scrolling, then you’ll feel at home here.

Some posts will feel like you’re reading my diary. Some will be roundups of my favorite Amazon finds, kitchen tools, or self-care products. Either way you’re getting the cozy edit: a little messy, a little pretty, and always real.

So grab a cup of coffee (or tea, or wine, no judgment), scroll around, and maybe find something new to laugh at, relate to, or add to your cart.

Thanks for being here 💛

— TCamp

“Some links on this site are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. I only share what I love and use myself.”
Thoughtful Party Curation: Celebrations with Heart

September 24, 2025
When I got pregnant, I wanted it all but most of all I wanted to protect my peace. I am not the type to put my entire life on display. There were no pregnancy or birth announcements, no maternity photos, and I still do not put my child’s face on the internet.

In true Virgo fashion, I also like to be in control. That meant doing unusual things like planning my own bridal shower, bachelorette party, and wedding. I did the same for my baby shower and my child’s birthdays too.

This was never about putting on a show. For me, it has always been about the details. I wanted every celebration to feel thoughtful, personal, and meaningful. If something did not look exactly how I envisioned it, I would hesitate to share it with others even though the guests at these events were blown away. Over the years I have heard the same comment again and again: “You should do this as a business.” My response has always been the same: “It’s all about the details.”

For example, when I got married on Halloween, I curated every centerpiece and decoration throughout the venue. The result was magical and everything I could have dreamed of. Things really started to take off when I planned my child’s first birthday, a Finding Nemo themed party. That movie was a household staple during that first year, so I poured my heart into creating decor that reflected those memories. From the first year photo banner to the favors, table settings, and even the Happy Birthday sign, everything was thoughtfully designed to fit the theme.

Not going to lie, I impressed myself with that party. At the time, I was working full time, had just started back at college, and was still learning how to navigate motherhood. With a little help from my sister and best friend, I pulled off the kind of celebration that would warm any mother’s heart. That is when I realized creating these meaningful moments is not just something I can do, it is something I love to do.

My husband has been telling me for years that I should pursue this as a business, but for me it would need to be the right fit. I am not the aesthetic Pinterest mom and I am not doing this to impress other adults. I do it for the personalization, the thought that goes into creating something beautiful and memorable to celebrate life’s moments.

If I were to offer this as a service, it would not be about cookie cutter balloon arches or oversized decorations that look good in photos but say nothing about the person being celebrated. Instead, I imagine a curated process with an intake form to really get to know someone, their story, and their vision. That way the final result feels special, intentional, and deeply personal.

Because I truly believe celebrations should be more than big and expensive. They should be meaningful, customized, and filled with details that matter.

For now, I will continue to create these moments for my own family as long as I enjoy it. But I would love to bring this same joy and thoughtfulness to others as well.

A Look Back at My Work

I’d Love Your Input

Would you be interested in personalized event decor and thoughtful party planning services like this?
- Yes, I would hire someone for this.
- Yes, but only for very special occasions.
- No, I prefer to DIY my events.
- Not for me, but I know someone who would love this.
✨ Whether or not this grows into something more, I will always believe in celebrating with heart.
450 Degrees of Peace

September 23, 2025

Growing up, I had this long, beautiful, thick head of hair that I absolutely hated. As a tender-headed kid, hair days were my worst enemy. I never really learned how to take care of my hair, but I do remember starting to do it myself in middle school. Looking back, my mom definitely should have taught me a few things first.

By high school, I was dancing, hanging out with a lot of my white friends, and straightening or perming my hair constantly. In college, I experimented with different styles, but honestly, my hair was always a hassle, and I was never “into hair.”

It was not until my 20s that I started actually taking care of it. That is when I unintentionally started my natural hair journey. I did my first big chop around 2016, and my hair was the healthiest it had ever been. Keeping it short worked for me because it was easier to manage, and I was finally learning how to care for it properly.

I have been completely natural for about 13 years now, but I have kept shorter hair consistently for the past two. I would do big chops, then let it grow down my back within the year. I let it grow out for my wedding, then again during my pregnancy and into my child’s first year. My most recent chop was on my child’s first birthday, and since then my hair has basically stopped growing.

Part of that is definitely because I became a mom and started neglecting my hair. It felt like another full-time job I did not have the time or energy for. My natural hair is thick, curly, and beautiful, but it is also a lot.

Then about a year ago, my husband gifted me the Shark blow dryer for my birthday, and it was a total game changer. I realized it took me the same amount of time to wash and style my natural hair as it did to wash, blow dry, and straighten it. The difference was in the maintenance.

My natural hair lasted maybe a day or two before it needed to be refreshed or completely restyled, which no one has time for. Straightened hair lasted much longer, especially once I discovered anti-humidity products. That was a game changer.

Right now, I am working on heat training while still protecting my curls.

Products I Have Been Loving

Color Wow Dream Coat Spray

I was honestly nervous to try this at first because I saw a girl talking about how it damaged her hair. She was very vague about how she used it, so I said, forget it, I will try it myself.

The first time, I did not love how it felt, but that was on me because I applied it to hair that was not thoroughly washed. Even then, it still worked. The second time, I used it on properly washed hair and it was a dream. It kept my hair straight, even though I have a sweaty scalp, hairline, and face in general. Two weeks later, my hair was still holding up.

At first, it did take a minute for my curls to bounce back when I washed, but they came back with no problem. I also make sure to deep condition every single time I blow dry, and that helps a lot.

Amika Products

No complaints here. I love Amika products. They work perfectly for my hair, give me a smooth finish, and do not weigh it down. They have quickly become staples for me.

✨ I will link my curated Amazon list https://amzn.to/4gFpTBl so you can check out everything I use. If you are struggling to find peace with your hair like I was, these products might just make life a little easier. And since this is still a journey, I will definitely share updates as I go.
Tired All the Time and No Routine to Blame

September 22, 2025
Why Am I Always So Tired?

No matter how much I sleep, how much I eat, or how much I “recover,” I have no energy. It feels like I can never perk up. I want to couch-rot, but I don’t, because it makes me feel worse. Everything I do now is begrudgingly; I never have the energy for anything.

I think part of it might be the lack of structure and routine I have had these past three months, but holy shit… I just wish someone could zap some energy into me that lasts longer than 30 minutes. I feel depleted all the time and I don’t even know why. The only thing I do know is that doing nothing only makes it worse.

With the end of the month approaching, I want to make it a habit to get back into some kind of routine. Small, manageable steps. Easier said than done for someone like me. Not only do I struggle with getting started, but I also struggle with being consistent. I have zero discipline to stick with things, and something has to give.

A few things I want to work on, and honestly some of these I have been struggling with longer than I would like to admit:
1. Getting dressed in the morning. I was a work-from-home employee for five years and I was the girl who got shit done in a robe.
2. Waking up at the same time every day. This was never an issue when I was employed, but now I cannot seem to wake up without snoozing every single morning, especially because I know I do not technically have anywhere to be.
3. Fueling my body. I want to work on eating more consistently. I make a million excuses for why I do not eat throughout the day, even though I spend most of the day starving.
I will stick with these for now.

So tell me: what small routines or habits help you feel more energized? And if you have ever struggled with discipline and consistency, how did you push through?
Venting: Internal Dialogue

September 19, 2025
Several things crossed my mind when I lost my job back in June:
- FUCK YES (because that place was toxic as fuck).
- OH FUCK (because I made really good money and, let’s be real, I don’t have the best financial habits).
- FINALLY (because I had been craving something new, a better career path, and it is never too late to start over).
As someone who has worked literally half my life, I felt so lost and stuck, even though this was exactly what I wanted. I was already on the path to a career change, and while that was exciting, it was also scary and unpredictable. THANK THE UNIVERSE for my husband holding it down during that time.

The unfortunate part about losing my job was the timing. I was almost a year into this shift that should take about two and a half years in total. I was definitely not in a position to lose my income. That has been the hardest part: going from growing up with little money, to becoming financially independent, to now being financially dependent again. Honestly, that is where a lot of my identity crisis has been spiraling from 😅🫠.

On top of that, I never dreamed of being a mom. I was always kind of indifferent, and then it happened, and I found myself asking… did I just make a huge mistake? That is not to say I do not love my kid, because obviously I do. But let me tell you, it is a DAILY STRUGGLE, and it is not talked about enough.

For me personally, I am not emotional, social, or outgoing. I love peace, quiet, and time with myself, which is basically the opposite of motherhood. But at the end of the day, I do love it (not every day, and that is okay). I live and breathe for my child, but I also know I need to start living and breathing for myself too.

Right now, I am just navigating life one internal conversation at a time.
Hello World!

September 19, 2025

A brain dump for the beautiful chaos of adulting.

I started this blog because I wanted to divorce my husband… and then I remembered Michelle Obama once said she didn’t like Barack for 10 years. So I told myself, girl, sit your ass down.

This site is basically going to act as a functional brain dump. I live in my head all day long about anything and everything, so now it’s time to put it out into the universe. Hopefully, some good will come from it, or at the very least, maybe I’ll make someone laugh or spark a conversation about something relatable.

Because let me tell you, there is a fuck ton of shit I wish more people talked about when it comes to this thing we call “adulting.”
What Self-Care Really Looks Like for Moms with Toddlers (Because It’s Not What You Think)

September 19, 2025
Self-care looks different for everyone and that’s OKAY.

For me, self-care as a mom feels pretty nonexistent most days. Honestly, it usually just looks like sitting in silence, which I absolutely love. But navigating the trenches of toddlerhood means my days start before 7 a.m., naps are short, and bedtime doesn’t happen until close to 8 p.m.

In “mom world,” that gives me about one nap window as “me time” and maybe two hours in the evening.

Here’s what that actually looks like:
- As soon as my toddler goes down, I do a quick “10-minute tidy.” That basically means running around picking up toys, tossing trash, putting things back where they belong, and making sure tomorrow-me won’t wake up to a chaotic house.
- Then I grab whatever scraps and leftovers are around from the day (because who has time for a fresh meal at 9 p.m.?).
- After that, I shower and do my skincare routine, my little nightly ritual.
By the time I finish all that, I’m completely depleted and ready for bed. Boom. The whole day is gone, and I’ve maybe had a grand total of 1.5 hours of peace.

And here’s the thing: house maintenance is NOT self-care for me. Self-care is going to the movies, enjoying brunch, going out to dinner, or doing something that feels like an adventure. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good couch-rotting session, but now that I technically can do it whenever, it’s lost its charm. Instead, it leaves me feeling worse, not better, and I hate that.

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Looking Ahead

Why Am I Always So Tired?