There’s something about comfort rituals that feel like being wrapped in a soft blanket. For me, it’s always been the same: fast food and an episode (or five) of Gilmore Girls. I’d order a heavy (and often greasy) meal and sit in front of the television (or phone). The moment Rory and Lorelai launch into their rapid-fire banter, the warm tones of Stars Hollow fill the screen, and that familiar theme song drifts in—“If you’re out on the road, feeling lonely and so cold…”—I’m instantly washed over with a sense of calm. I even keep Gilmore Girls running in the background while I work, fold laundry, or drive—sometimes just letting the sound play like one of my girlfriends keeping me company.

It’s predictable. It’s cozy. It’s instant relief.

But recently I had to admit that what I’ve been calling “comfort” has quietly been holding me back. The thought of giving it up made me cry—like, actually cry—and left me feeling shaky. That’s when it clicked: I wasn’t just attached to a TV show, I was attached to an entire coping system I’d built around it. And while there’s nothing wrong with having ways to self-soothe, I’ve also promised myself I want to elevate. I want to fill my ears with more podcasts, stay informed about the world, and finally tackle the tasks piling up on my endless to-do list—things I’ve been avoiding in the name of “feeling safe.”

I realized that I wouldn’t just be giving up my favorite show. I’m giving up familiarity.

And that’s scary.

It’s grief. It’s resistance. And that’s okay. It only means those habits played a role in keeping me safe, even if they weren’t the healthiest.

My Approach: Replacing, Not Just Removing

Instead of telling myself “No more Gilmore Girls ever,” I’m thinking of it as: What else could make me feel safe and cared for?

Here’s what I’m practicing:

1. Swapping junk for rituals: instead of fast food, I’ll make a warm matcha.
2. Look good, feel good: put on a comfy, cute matching set that allows me to feel good in my own skin.
3. Background comfort: I love the sound of stories in the air, so I’ve started playing lighthearted interviews, podcasts, or audiobooks while I unwind.
4. Small doses: Instead of daily episodes, I save Gilmore Girls for once in a while—a treat, not a lifeline.

Building New Feel-Good Defaults

I’m slowly building soft life rituals that give me the same comfort vibe:

1. A short walk with music
2. Reading under a cozy blanket with just a few pages of a book.
3. Lighting a candle and journaling for ten minutes.

These don’t replace my old ritual instantly. I’m starting gradually, But with time, they’ll become habits that stick.

Glow-ups aren’t always glamorous. Sometimes they look like choosing to take one tiny step toward a healthier ritual.

It’s not about “losing” something—it’s about creating space for something new and beautiful.

Maybe that’s the real glow-up: learning to comfort yourself in ways that build you up instead of holding you back.