Hey everyone, happy new year! It’s January 2026 already! I feel like the older I get the quicker time flies. Lately, I’ve been leaning hard into the things that just make me feel cozy and grounded. Simple joys like curling up with a good book, bingeing a show that hits just right, or winding down with a tiny ritual that resets my brain after a long day. These are my current comforts, and I thought I’d share them because maybe you’ll find something new to love too.
The Books I’m Sinking Into
I’m deep in reread mode right now, and one that’s been living rent-free in my head is Beach Read by Emily Henry.
Yeah, I know everyone’s buzzing about the Netflix adaptation of People We Meet on Vacation (which drops later this month on January 9), and I absolutely adore that book. But honestly? Beach Read edges it out for me as my favorite of hers. It’s witty, heartfelt, and just the perfect mix of banter and emotional depth. It’s romantic without being fluffy, hopeful without being unrealistic.
As I’m picking up my Japanese studies again after a long break, diving back into manga has been part of me easing back into learning Japanese again and reconnecting with the media I loved so much when I was younger. If you’ve been feeling the same pull back to old interests, you might relate.
One standout is 1122: For a Happy Marriage by Peko Watanabe. This one is so refreshing because most popular romance manga are set in high school but this is about a married couple in their 30s navigating an open marriage. It’s quiet. Complicated. Uncomfortable in the best way. And deeply relatable if you’re a woman navigating adulthood, long-term relationships, and the realization that love doesn’t always look the way you were promised it would.
Pro tip: The first three volumes are free if you have a comiXology Unlimited membership!
Shows and Films That Have Me Hooked
Speaking of Japanese pop culture pulling me in again… oh my god, have you seen 10DANCE starring Ryoma Takeuchi and Keita Machida on Netflix? It’s this gorgeous film adaptation of the manga about two rival ballroom dancers (one Latin, one standard) who start training together for a big competition. 10Dance is stunning visually, emotionally, and romantically. The chemistry is slow-burn and intense, the dance sequences are beautiful, and the story feels mature in a way I’m craving more and more lately.
I know, I know, everyone’s raving about Heated Rivalry right now (that hockey MLM romance show that’s everywhere). But after reading way too many hockey MLM books over the past five years, I’m kinda fatigued on the sports rival trope in that specific flavor. It’s just not calling to me at the moment. Give me elegant ballroom rivals any day!
Small Rituals That Settle My Mind
Finally, my favorite wind-down ritual these days: popping on my Switch for about an hour after work and playing a cozy game. It helps my brain switch off from the day and just… breathe. Right now, I’m obsessed with Rune Factory (I’ve got Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma loaded up, but honestly any in the series works). Farming, fighting monsters, building relationships, it’s the perfect low-stakes escape.
What about you guys? What’s keeping you cozy this winter? Drop your current books, shows, or rituals in the comments. I love hearing recommendations!
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