Bliss. It’s one of those words that sounds indulgent — like a spa day or a tropical escape — but lately, I’ve been learning that true bliss is something much quieter. It’s not about grand moments or fleeting highs. It’s about presence, intention, and building habits that support a more peaceful, aligned life.
For me, this journey isn’t about perfection. It’s about tuning in to myself and really listening to what feels good, what grounds me, and what genuinely lifts my energy and elevates my mood. It’s not about becoming someone completely new, but rather, growing and reconnecting with myself in small, meaningful ways. Here are five habits I’ve been embedding into my everyday routine that are helping me move closer to that feeling of daily bliss.
1. Going for a Walk 4–5 Times a Week
Movement has always been important to me, but I used to think it needed to be intense to be effective — something sweaty, scheduled, and performance-driven. But these days, walking has become my go-to. No pressure, no performance goals—just me, my thoughts, and the outdoors (and a little Strava to track my journey).
There’s something incredibly calming about moving your body while letting your mind wander. It’s often during these walks that I feel the most creative or the most at peace. Sometimes I listen to a podcast or music, sometimes I don’t. But either way, it’s a moment in my day that’s just for me. To pause. To reflect. To breathe. And that, in itself, feels luxurious.
What’s changed, too, is my relationship with the weather. I used to struggle to get outside during the cold, dark months, often waiting for the perfect conditions or enough motivation. But now, I embrace it in all seasons (you kind of have to in England!). Even if it’s just ten minutes wrapped up in layers, stepping outside into the crisp air after a day at the laptop brings a real sense of reset. It’s less about the duration or the pace, and more about reconnecting with myself and the world around me. The fresh air, the movement, the light (or lack of it) — it all counts. It all helps.
2. Drinking Lemon Water Every Morning
While this one may seem simple, to me, that’s part of the beauty. I’ll be going into more detail about this in my next post, but starting my day with warm lemon water has become a gentle ritual — one that sets a tone of care and mindfulness before the chaos of the day begins.
Beyond the physical benefits (hydration, digestion, vitamin C boost), there’s something grounding about this small act. It’s a reminder that wellness doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Sometimes, the most nurturing thing you can do is show up for yourself in the smallest ways, consistently.
Over time, this morning ritual has become more than just a wellness practice — it’s helped me become more mindful of what I’m putting into my body from the very start of the day. It’s a gentle cue to check in with myself: What do I need? What will nourish me today? In a world full of quick fixes and mindless choices, this small act reminds me to slow down and choose with care.
3. Reducing My Alcohol Intake
I never had an overly complicated relationship with alcohol, but I’ve come to realize that I don’t enjoy it in the same ways I used to. Whether it was for social comfort, winding down, or just out of habit, drinking had become a bit too automatic. Nowadays, as I progress through my 30’s, my body is seemingly less tolerant, and I’m far more conscious of the time lost to hangovers. (Should I also mention the ‘hangxiety’?) I’ve realised that alcohol is no longer serving me in a way it once did.
While I haven’t given it up completely (though I’m never saying never), I’ve decided to choose more consciously. I’ll still have a glass of wine or a vodka soda if I truly want one, but I’m no longer drinking just because it’s Friday or because everyone else is. I know all too well how easy it is to get carried away and keep the drinks flowing, especially when you’re at home with an open bottle of wine. But I’m paying closer attention to my mind and my body as I drink. I’m taking note of when I want to stop, mindful of how I’d like to wake up feeling the next morning.
Cutting back has brought deeper sleep, clearer skin, and a greater sense of emotional balance. I’m no longer spending my mornings recovering — I wake up feeling well, not worn out. It’s one of those changes that has created more room for bliss — because I wake up feeling well, not depleted.
4. Taking Note of My 3 P’s Each Day
Having recently started hypnotherapy, this is a habit I’ve been introduced to by my hypnotherapist and fallen in love with. Every evening, I reflect on my “3 P’s”: my Positive thoughts, Positive actions, and Positive interactions of the day.
It’s a simple journaling practice, but it helps me check in with myself emotionally and mentally. The ‘positive thoughts’ encourage me to take note of the way I speak to myself — quietly shifting the inner dialogue to something softer and more supportive. The ‘positive actions’ help me to celebrate even the small steps I take each day. And the ‘positive interactions’ remind me of the beautiful connections that exist all around me when I stay open and present.
This little reflection has not only added so much mindfulness to my evenings, but it is also helping me calm my nervous system, meaning I’m feeling less anxious overall, and seeing things in a much more positive way. It’s like a pause button for the soul.
5. Romanticising My Evening Skincare Routine
I used to rush through my skincare routines like it was just another task to check off. But now? I see it as an opportunity. An opportunity to pause. To reconnect with myself. To move slowly, with intention. Each step is a reminder that I’m worthy of care, not just for my skin, but for my mind. It’s a ritual that signals the day is done and I can relax. And in that quiet, I find a little peace. A little presence. A little bliss.
It’s not about vanity — it’s about devotion. Romanticising my skincare routine has become symbolic of a larger shift: treating myself as someone deserving of softness and beauty, no matter what kind of day I’ve had.
There’s something sacred in the consistency of it — the gentle cleansing, the feel of warm water against my face, the sense of nourishment as I smooth my night cream into my skin. It’s a moment where I’m doing something purely for me. I’m not trying to fix or perfect. I’m simply showing up for myself in the most tender way I know how. And that quiet, loving attention? It carries into everything else. It reminds me that care doesn’t need to be earned. It can be daily. It can be ordinary. And it can still be magic.
These five habits aren’t about control or rigidity. They’re about creating pockets of peace in the everyday. They remind me that I don’t need to overhaul my life to feel more grounded — I just need to show up, consistently, in small ways that feel aligned with who I’m becoming.
Bliss isn’t reserved for special occasions or far-off destinations. It’s available to us in the morning light, in the quiet of a walk, or in a moment of stillness before bed. We just have to slow down enough to notice it.
So, if you’re feeling called to reconnect with yourself, maybe don’t start with a massive to-do list. Start with one gentle habit. One new ritual. One soft intention. Your version of bliss is waiting — it might already be here.
With love,
Malissa x
She lives in Bliss 
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