The Real Chic Life

Lately, I have been trying to create a new schedule that actually works for the life I am living now. Since moving back to our hometown, my days have filled up quickly. Being closer to family and friends has been a gift, but between work, writing another novel, and social commitments, I have found myself burning the candle at both ends more often than I would like.

I have always believed in the idea of filling our own cup. But recently, I have started to realize that filling it does not always mean adding something new.

A new routine, a new habit, another wellness practice. Sometimes the real shift happens when we remove what quietly drains us.

A small subtraction can create more relief than a big addition.

Here are seven small unexpected ways to refill your cup, along with one thing you might consider letting go.

1. Add Beauty to an Ordinary Moment

Put on music while you cook dinner. Light a candle at lunch. Use the nice glass for water. 

Remove: Saving beautiful things only for special occasions.

2. Leave the House Without a Purpose

Take a slow walk through a neighborhood, sit in a café with a warm drink, or wander through a bookstore with no list in mind.

Remove: The idea that every outing needs to be productive.

3. Rearrange One Small Corner of Your Home

Shift a lamp, stack a few favorite books, move a chair closer to the window. Even the smallest reset can make a room feel new.

Remove: The belief that you need a full makeover to enjoy your space.

4. Wear Something That Lifts Your Mood

A favorite lipstick. A silk scarf. The blazer you normally reserve for events. Small style choices can subtly change how you feel.

Remove: The habit of saving your best pieces for “later.”

5. Create a Quiet Pocket in Your Day

Ten minutes without noise, screens, or conversation. Just a moment to sit with your thoughts.

Remove: Constant background stimulation.

6. Revisit Something You Once Loved

A magazine you used to read, a hobby you abandoned, a playlist from another time in your life.

Remove: The pressure to always discover something new.

7. End the Day Earlier Than Usual

Close the laptop, dim the lights, and allow the evening to slow down.

Remove: The urge to squeeze productivity out of every last hour.

Filling your cup is rarely about dramatic change. More often, it is about small decisions that make life feel softer, calmer, and more intentional.

And sometimes the most nourishing thing you can do is simply stop carrying what was never meant to be yours.

We’d love to hear about something small you’ve added (or removed) to help you fill your cup. Let us know in the comments.

xo Tonya Parker