This past week has honestly been a rollercoaster of emotions, exhaustion, and little highlights that made all the stress worth it.

Most of my weekdays were completely swallowed by work. I had to be there from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and because something seemed to go wrong every single day, I ended up doing a lot of overtime. It felt like no matter how carefully I planned things, something unexpected would come up and throw me off. By the time I finally came home in the evenings, I was beyond tired. But then I’d see my family, and that feeling of heaviness would just fade away. Sitting down with them, talking, laughing, or simply being in the same room was the best way to recharge.

In between all of that, I made sure to carve out some “me time”. A bit of gaming – mostly Story of Seasons – helped me unwind and switch off from work mode. There’s just something so calming about it – taking care of your farm, watching the seasons change, and getting lost in that peaceful little world. It’s such a nice escape when real life feels chaotic.

I also treated myself to some new jewelry this week. To be honest, I didn’t really plan it – it just sort of happened. But I think that’s the best kind of shopping: when you stumble upon pieces that catch your eye and instantly make you smile. It felt good to indulge a little, to pick out something just for me, and to remind myself that it’s okay to celebrate small joys even in the middle of a stressful week.

Saturday was by far the highlight of the entire week. My fiancé and I had a day all to ourselves – no responsibilities, no work stress, and for once, no toddler in tow. We decided to spend it in Trier, where the Minna no Matsuri Festival was taking place.

The atmosphere there was amazing – colorful booths, people dressed in cosplay, the buzz of excitement everywhere. Walking through the festival hand in hand with my fiancé, I felt both carefree and excited, almost like we were teenagers again.

But the absolute best part? Meeting René Dawn-Claude, the German voice actor of Gojo (Jujutsu Kaisen) and Meruem (Hunter x Hunter). For me, anime has always been something special, and getting the chance to meet someone whose voice I’ve admired for so long felt surreal. I managed to get both an autograph and a photo with him, and I can’t even describe how happy it made me. Standing there in that moment, I felt like a total fangirl, and honestly, I loved every second of it.

After such an eventful Saturday, Sunday was the perfect contrast. Sundays in our house are always lazy days. My fiancé usually takes our little one swimming, which gives me a rare chance to have the house to myself. I love that quiet time – just lounging around, sipping coffee, scrolling through my phone, and doing absolutely nothing. It’s such a simple routine, but it’s one of those little things that really help me recharge.

Looking back on the week, I realize it was a mix of stress and joy – long hours at work, but also quality time with my family; exhaustion, but also little moments of peace and happiness. The highlight in Trier made all the overtime fade into the background, and the lazy Sunday gave me exactly the pause I needed. Sometimes weeks like this remind me that life doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful – it’s those small highs and quiet moments in between that make it special.

Read you soon!
Nia ♠