Hello and happy autumn! 👋 This page was on a summer hiatus but it’s back! Since I didn’t have many updates when this was a monthly Now page, I’m going to experiment with a seasonal Now page.

After a long, stretchy summer, I’m entering the fall season with a lot of creative energy. Here are some of the things I plan to work on in the coming months:

  • In 2013, I started answering this set of 50 questions every three years or so, and I’ve been wanting to create my own set of questions for a while now. I’ve got a draft going and I’m hoping to share my list of questions in November.

  • There’s been a wonderful rhythm to my moon planning check-ins. I’ve simplified things significantly — I’m only answering a few reflective questions now — so the process feels a lot lighter and fun. But some of the questions aren’t quite right so I’ll be making some tweaks before the new year.

  • Speaking of the new year, I’ll be running another authenblissity challenge to take us through the last month of 2025! 31 Days to 2026 will be announced very soon. ✨

For more about what’s on my mind right now, you can subscribe to my newsletter, or check out my 2025 goals and my 101 in 1001 list. I’ve also got a few bits on my about page.

MEDIA

LISTENING

I’ve been listening to a lot of music lately, specifically Lady Gaga, Tori Amos, Tate McRae, and Sabrina Carpenter.

READING

I’m still in my fiction era. I’ve been recording review videos as a way to pause and reflect on what I’ve read (rather than jumping directly into a new book), which has been such a fun routine for me. My current favourite author is Becky Chambers and I’m making my way through her Wayfarers series.

In terms of nonfiction, I just started reading How to Stand Up to a Dictator: The Fight For Our Future by Maria Ressa. A dear friend mentioned this book to me. I’m only a few chapters in but it’s been very inspiring.

WATCHING

Hubby and I have been re-watching Smallville, after attending a panel discussion at Fan Expo featuring some of the cast. I’m also SO excited for the NHL season to start.

APP-ing

Here are the apps I use every day:

  • Organization: TickTick, Google Calendar

  • Games: Pokémon Go, NYT Crossword, GPGP, Animal Restaurant

  • Social media: Reddit, BeReal

DAILY ROUTINE

My routine is my source of power. Each day is like a little puzzle, and everything always comes together. Read about my fluid time blocking practice.

Morning

The morning is the most structured part of my day. My alarm is currently set for 5:45am but I usually get out of bed between 6-6:30am. I spend the first few hours of my day feeding Lulu, getting ready, oil pulling, making myself a hot herbal infusion, reading on the exercise bike, watering our houseplants, and writing morning pages. I’ve started going to Morning Coffee Sessions again, which is such a joy! The rest of my morning depends on how busy I am with my paid and creative work. I’ll go for a walk at some point, which often includes a quick trip to the grocery store.

Afternoon

Since I practice intermittent fasting, I have my first meal of the day at around noon. The rest of my afternoon varies depending on how much energy and motivation I have. I’ll have an afternoon nap — usually a power nap, but longer if I had a shorter night of sleep. I spend some time on paid work and personal projects. I spend another hour cooking or doing chores, and then I do some more work. Some days, I have a sweet video call with a friend. I try to finish eating dinner by 6pm.

Evening

After dinner, I do a bit of this and that. Hubby and I usually start to wind down at around 7-8pm. We spend this time together — sometimes together-together, and sometimes together-while-also-doing-our-own-thing. Each night is different depending on how we feel. I’ve been trying to do some more offline activities as I experienced a lot of eye strain in the last couple months of 2024. I try to be in bed by 10-10:30pm on most nights.

SKINCARE ROUTINE

The general formula for my skincare products is toner + serum + facial oil + moisturizer. I’ll usually use up what I have before moving on to something else, but I also try to finish some of hubby’s products when he leaves them lying around. If you’re interested in which products are my favourites, you can find them listed here.

MORNING

  • Rinse my face with lukewarm water and towel dry.

  • Apply my skincare products in this order:

    • Divine Essence Damask Rose Organic Floral Water

    • The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10%

    • The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA

    • The Ordinary 100% Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil

    • The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA

    • The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum

  • I’ve been using The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Eye Serum when I remember. This is a very rich serum and can feel a bit sticky on the skin, so I try to apply it when I’m planning to spend a stretch of time at home.

  • I’ve been loving Atomy AC Spot Solution as a spot treatment when I have breakouts. I use this when I first notice a pimple and then whenever I remember to reapply, in the morning and/or evening.

EVENING

  • Wash my face with Atomy Deep Pure Cleansing Oil, rinse with lukewarm water, and towel dry.

  • Apply the same skincare products as my morning routine. I’ve been using The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA (instead of my morning solution/serum combo).

  • I’ve been using a sheet mask or peel-off mask every week as part of my self-care regimen (and also to use up my old products!).

Makeup Basket

I amassed a huge collection of makeup during my shopaholic days. Years later and I’m still in the process of downsizing my collection. One thing that’s helped me focus on using what I have is to keep a seasonal “makeup basket.” I use the products in this basket every day until I get bored, then I switch them out. For hygienic reasons, I only use mascara and lip gloss for 6–9 months before discarding any remaining product.

Here’s what I have in my current basket. My makeup is very old, so some of the products may be discontinued.

Eyes

  • Urban Decay Naked3 Eyeshadow Palette (old)*

  • Adelica Soft Brow Pencil in Brown

  • Miniso Gold Eyelash Curler*

  • Adelica Waterproof Mascara in Black*

Face*

  • Atomy BB Cream

  • Atomy Healthy Glow Base

  • Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Tremble

  • FENTY BEAUTY by Rihanna Sun Stalk'r Instant Warmth Bronzer in Private Island

  • Canmake Marshmallow Finish Foundation in MB**

*I use these products very rarely as I usually just wear brow powder.
**I use this as a powder concealer.

Lips

  • Jack Black Lip Balm

  • Carmex Classic Lip Balm

  • Hurraw Lip Balm

  • Atomy Lip Glow

That’s it for now! Let me know if I missed anything. I’ll update this page at the start of every season.

Date of last update: September 22, 2025