Here’s the thing: I love big projects. A crochet blanket that takes months? Yes, please. A 100+ hour RPG where I get completely lost in the story? Sign me up. But if I’m being honest… most days I don’t have the energy for “epic.”
That’s where the little things come in. Small projects. The ones I can finish in an afternoon, or even just squeeze into a spare half hour. They don’t look like much on paper, but they bring me ridiculous amounts of joy. And honestly? They keep me sane.
Here are a few of my favorites.
Crochet in Mini Doses
Blankets are great, but they’re a long game. Sometimes I just want that instant hit of “look, I made a thing!”
Enter: small crochet. Granny squares I can make while watching a show. Tiny amigurumi animals that end up living on my bookshelf. Bookmarks that are cute and useful (because if I don’t have one, I’ll 100% use a receipt and forget which page I was on).
There’s something magical about weaving a few rows, tying it off, and actually being done. No months-long commitment. Just a little pocket of joy.
Gaming Mini Goals
Not every gaming session has to be a five-hour adventure. Some of my favorite gaming memories come from the short, snack-sized moments.
Take Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. It’s perfect for this. Each case is broken into bite-sized chunks—so I can dip in, investigate a bit, maybe play through part of a trial, and then step away. And wow, is it satisfying to slam down the right piece of evidence!
It scratches that same itch as finishing a granny square—it’s small, it’s clever, and it feels like a win. Plus, the cast is so delightfully over-the-top that even ten minutes of playtime makes me laugh.
Little Lifestyle Joys
Some days, my “projects” aren’t really projects at all—they’re just small ways of making life cozier.
Like rearranging a shelf so it feels fresh again. Or scribbling one page in my journal (sometimes it’s deep, sometimes it’s just snack lists). Or adding fairy lights to a corner that needed some love.
It doesn’t sound like much, but it shifts my whole mood. It’s proof that even tiny changes can make a space feel like home.
Self-Care, But Tiny
I used to think self-care had to be a whole spa-day production. But honestly? My favorite rituals are the tiniest ones.
Making a cup of tea and drinking it slowly. Stretching for ten minutes so my body stops yelling at me. Lighting a candle, opening a book, and reading exactly five pages before I inevitably get distracted.
They’re all small. But they’re grounding, and they remind me to just… pause.
The Cozy Takeaway
Here’s what I’ve learned: joy doesn’t always come from big milestones. Sometimes it’s hiding in the smallest things—a granny square, a quick game chapter, a cozy corner of the room.
I’m still chasing big projects, of course. But I’ve stopped underestimating the little ones. They may not be “impressive,” but they’re what make my days softer, lighter, and happier.
So here’s to small projects, and the big joy they bring.
Chapters of Millie 
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