Related Recs

🌆

Oddly specific vibes (might make another part, because i have even more that won't be mentioned here)

Day - Being in the Sahara Desert (specifically the part with soft sand), watching the sunrise. - Painting something while the sun comes up and listening to the Mamma Mia! soundtrack (though the Grease soundtrack or any other musical works just as well). - Summer morning: you’ve just woken up and the birds are chirping (bonus points if you’re in the countryside), or waking up to the sound of the ocean and the rustling palm trees in the mild breeze. - Staying at the Sunwing Waterworld Makadi hotel (I told you it’s oddly specific) and going out on the balcony to draw—especially magical as a kid. - On a train, listening to music with some colorful headphones you own (even better if they have stickers on them), gazing out the windows (extra points if the windows are huge). Evening - You're at home, watching your favorite childhood shows (trust me, it’s crucial to the vibe), preferably in spring or summer, while the sun slowly sets. - You're somewhere in the countryside, the woods, or near the mountains, just chilling or walking around (bonus points if there's a lake, a pool, or animals nearby—even if you're more of a city or beach person, just like me, it's a cool experience). - You're at a festival, playing with a yo-yo or just chilling and having fun with face paint on. Again, better experienced as a kid—but honestly, most of these probably are. Night - You're on a road trip, sitting in the passenger seat or backseat while someone else drives. It’s a late winter night, you’re listening to summer hits, and it’s snowing af outside (bonus points if you stop somewhere with tons of snow, a few parked cars and the only light comes from one or two orange-lit streetlamps). - You’re staying at a hotel or Airbnb in the desert (somewhere remote, with no other buildings around), swimming in a pool under a sky full of stars. - Picnic by the beach somewhere in Greece (even better if it’s Mykonos or a fancy island) and you’re eating bread with some kind of spread, maybe a few veggies, and drinking chocolate milk—plant-based or regular, your choice. - Inside a hotel, near the reception or bar, or any lounge space where people are sitting on their phones, laptops, playing cards, or chatting. Everyone’s in their own little worlds, but still together—and I don’t know, that’s just cute to me. (But it has to be at night. It doesn’t hit the same during the day.) Or: walking near your hotel, ideally somewhere with a beach. You can hear the waves, the wind in the palm trees, and crickets. - Walking around München/Munich as a kid, teen, or student in the 2010s. (It’s probably still cool now, but there was just something in the 2010s air that made it special.) - Going to a big concert in a fancy, big black car (you're in the backseat).

@il0v3h

May 13, 2025

🚙

long weekend visit to see friends 500+ miles away

so there were lots of nice moments!! among my favorites: • saw a great movie at my friend’s favorite and very cool theater • enjoyed the presence of other writers during an hour of work on our projects • explored a quirky used bookstore • had several late night, falling-asleep-as-you’re-speaking chats with my friend of 26 years, just as we’ve always done • laughed hard • friend beat me to saying “i love you” and i realized how often i’m the first to say it in relationships/interactions and hearing it offered (instead of automatically returned) helped balm something i didn’t know was wounded • proved to myself that even though i can never outrun my OCD, i can do more alongside it than i thought i could

@thickrimmedgirl

Mar 21, 2025

🌲

being outdoors

going camping with my friends, sleeping so poorly but waking up and opening my tent to see the beautiful mountains or the forest. dancing. falling down and scraping my hands and my knees. driving with the windows down and scream-singing along to songs. crying alone at night

@paperpendragon

Jan 9, 2025

Top Recs from @_bilal_

😁

OFFICIALLY BECOMING A PUBLISHED WRITER

One of my short stories from a collection I recently wrote just got accepted to a really cool journal at Illinois State University! First time seeing that green “Accepted” label on Submittable :) I’m ecstatic 😁😁 linked the story to this recc if anyone wants to read it before it comes out!!

@_bilal_

Apr 24, 2025

❤️

Open an art gallery

Been off this app lately cuz ive been busy opening an art gallery in my hometown (San Diego) called Deixis Gallery! Been such a wonderful experience so far. It’s so beautiful to see how community comes together to help with every step along the way. Friends came by and helped paint, do construction, a friend of mine built us some benches from scratch, and a bunch of amazing artists participated in the inaugural exhibition. So hyped, truly recommend. And shout out to allstnyc for the encouragement back when I first posted an ask about opening a gallery! 🤞🏿🤞🏿🤞🏿also if you find yourself in San Diego, make sure to stop by! @deixisgallery

@_bilal_

Jan 6, 2025

🧑

Rural living

Spent a month in a cabin in a rural town in Washington state and fell in love. Spent my days gardening, writing, cooking, working out with logs and trees, just living the most simple life. Being back in a city makes me sick to my stomach now and capitalistic 🤮. It sucks.

@_bilal_

Nov 14, 2024