in episode 4 of our festive diaries series, we share our 2025 christmas bucket list: from baking cookies to movie marathons, ice skating and christmas markets. little moments, big intentions, and all the cosy things we want to make time for this season 🎄✨ please let us know what fun things you are planning to tick off over the next week?
to stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do Follow us on instagram, tiktok or subscribe to us on youtube here! ☕ Thinking of joining our BOOK CLUB? We’d love to have you! Check it out here! for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: thematchadiariespod@gmail.com
in this episode, we’re chatting about the festive season and why it can feel like a lot more than we expect it to (aka can be very overwhelming) we talk through the pressures of gift giving, drinking culture, losing routines, end of year work stress, and the idea that this is supposed to be the happiest time of the year. we share what’s been helping us feel more grounded lately.. from small rituals and romanticising everyday moments to saying no, drinking less, and logging off social media. this episode is all about finding pockets of calm where you can and letting go of the pressure to do the season “right.” 🤍
p.s we know this episode is coming a little late in the season, but honestly, this is often when the overwhelm, comparison, and emotional exhaustion really hit.. so we hope you still find this relevant <3
to stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do Follow us on instagram, tiktok or subscribe to us on youtube here! ☕ Thinking of joining our BOOK CLUB? We’d love to have you! Check it out here! for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: thematchadiariespod@gmail.com
we’re very excited to be sharing our festive book recommendations (aka the festive books we’ve genuinely loved that are cosy, Christmassy comfort reads). If you want real, tried and tested winter book recommendations, this episode is for you ❄️
Festive reads (past favourites)
P.S - we kept saying Bah Humbug without actually knowing what it means so please ignore us being silly xoxo
to stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do Follow us on instagram, tiktok or subscribe to us on youtube here! ☕ Thinking of joining our BOOK CLUB? We’d love to have you! Check it out here! for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: thematchadiariespod@gmail.com
welcome to the first episode of our festive diaries series hehe! 🎄and what better way to kick things off than with our festive tbr! this week, we share our most anticipated holiday romances and wintery reads to get you in the christmas spirit... expect enemies to lovers, snowed in mysteries, and small town festive games!
here is the list:
How My Neighbor Stole Christmas Meghan Quinn
Good Spirits B.K. Borison (new release)
Always, in December Emily Stone
Let It Snow John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle
Royal Holiday Jasmine Guillory
Bringing Down the Duke Evie Dunmore
A Winter in New York Josie Silver
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year Ally Carter
The Christmas Wager Holly Cassidy
The Plight Before Christmas Kate Stewart
12 Dates of Christmas Jenny Bayliss
The Holiday Swap Maggie Knox
to stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do Follow us on instagram, tiktok or subscribe to us on youtube here! ☕ Thinking of joining our BOOK CLUB? We’d love to have you! Check it out here! for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: thematchadiariespod@gmail.com
in this week’s episode, we sit down with leo’s mom (aka our favourite person EVER) and we answer YOUR advice questions. we talk love, confidence, burnout, navigating relationships and so much more. thank you for submitting so many wonderful questions and we will defo be recording a part 2!!
to stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do Follow us on instagram, tiktok or subscribe to us on youtube here! ☕ Thinking of joining our BOOK CLUB? We’d love to have you! Check it out here! for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: thematchadiariespod@gmail.com
in this week’s episode, we dive into burnout: how to spot the signs, and how to recharge!! think of this as your reminder to slow down, breathe, and come back to yourself.
substack article linked here.
to stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do Follow us on instagram, tiktok or subscribe to us on youtube here! ☕ Thinking of joining our BOOK CLUB? We’d love to have you! Check it out here! for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: thematchadiariespod@gmail.com
November Burnout Recovery Plan
Week 1: The Slow Reset
Clear space, clear mind. Start simple — create the environment for recovery.
Checklist:☐ Declutter one small area (a desk, nightstand, or shelf)☐ Wash your bedding and add a cozy blanket or flannel sheets☐ Create one calming corner (a reading nook, candle, or fairy lights)☐ Write down 3 things you’re letting go of this month☐ Go for one solo walk without headphones☐ End each night with a warm drink (tea, hot chocolate, matcha)☐ Read or journal before bed instead of scrolling
Week 2: The Sensory Reset
Reconnect with your senses to quiet your nervous system.
Checklist:☐ Light a candle each morning or evening — something seasonal like amber or vanilla☐ Try a cozy homemade meal (soup, pasta, or roasted veg night)☐ Listen to a “soft life” playlist while cooking or getting ready☐ Go on a short morning or evening walk — just for fresh air☐ Do one gentle yoga, stretching, or Pilates session☐ Write one journal entry answering: “What actually feels good right now?”☐ Have one social moment — call a friend, host a wine + cheese night, or cozy movie night
Week 3: The Mental Reset
Protect your energy and quiet your mind.
Checklist:☐ Turn off notifications for at least one app that drains you☐ Schedule one “no plans evening” — guilt-free rest night☐ Try a low-stimulation morning (no phone until breakfast)☐ Read something comforting (The Comfort Book, Wintering, or a cozy romance)☐ Write down 3 things that made you smile this week☐ Do one thing just for fun — bake, draw, rearrange your flat☐ Go outside for sunlight every day, even if just 5–10 mins
Week 4: The Grounding Reset
Reflect, restore, and prepare gently for the end of the year.
Checklist:☐ Write a short reflection: “What have I learned from slowing down this month?”☐ Have a self-care evening — bath, music, skincare, book☐ Do a mini digital detox for a day (no scrolling, just living)☐ Walk somewhere beautiful — a park, along the Thames, or through autumn leaves☐ Tidy your space while listening to an uplifting podcast☐ Choose one small goal for December (something that feels good, not ambitious)☐ Spend one day completely off-duty — no chores, no work, no guilt
first and foremost we apologise for the audio quality in this! We had no idea when recording that leo's audio would be so much louder than cara's and we know this is very much not ideal...
HOWEVER this was the most meaningful and reflective episode we have recorded as it is our 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!! in this episode we reflect on how we've changed, what we've learnt... the highlights and lowlights & we react to our 1st ever episode (very cringe....)
as always thank you so much for all the love! we really couldn't do this without you xx
to stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do Follow us on instagram, tiktok or subscribe to us on youtube here! ☕ Thinking of joining our BOOK CLUB? We’d love to have you! Check it out here! for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: thematchadiariespod@gmail.com
catch up with us as we share our recent highs and lows, our current recs (lots of book favourites, movie recs, and tv shows) & some reflections before our cabin weekend together! 🧸
stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do Follow us on instagram, tiktok or subscribe to us on youtube here! ☕ Thinking of joining our BOOK CLUB? We’d love to have you! Check it out here! for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: thematchadiariespod@gmail.com
eeeeep i actually can’t believe I’m typing this description at the moment but in this episode i (cara) get to share my engagement story!!! 💍💍 FULL DEBRIEF IN THIS EPISODE !
how did ed do it?, where where we? what i was thinking and feeling in the moment? did i know beforehand???did ed speak to my parents before??? listen and you’ll find out heheeh!
in all seriousness i feel very lucky to get to share this news with you lot and thank you so much for all the love ❤️❤️❤️
to stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do Follow us on instagram, tiktok or subscribe to us on youtube here! ☕ Thinking of joining our BOOK CLUB? We’d love to have you! Check it out here! for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: thematchadiariespod@gmail.com
welcome to a VERY special episode that is an interview with the incredible adam lind (@adam.floatinghome) - author, human connection advocate, content creator & all around incredibly inspiring person! we talk about his new book 'Floating Home: Lessons From A Life Less Ordinary' and some of the themes he touches upon within it, including (but not limited to):
where you can find adam:
to stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do follow us on instagram, tiktok or subscribe to us on youtube here or here (leo's booktube) ! ☕ also, if you want to join our BOOK CLUB... you can join us here - current book of the month is 'katabasis' by r.f.kuang).
if you don't have any social media and want to chat (or for advertising opportunities), please email us at: thematchadiariespod@gmail.com
welcome to another (video!!) instalment of the autumn diaries. in this episode we chat MORE books in the form of our ultimate tbr lists. this covers the genres fantasy, dark academia, gothic, mystery & above all lots of magic and witches...
books mentioned:
A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping — Sangu Mandanna
Blood Over Bright Haven — M.L.Wang
The Bewitching — Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Fangs — Sarah Andersen (graphic novel)
The Academy — Elin Hilderbrand
Assistant to the Villain — Hannah Nicole Maehrer
One Dark Window — Rachel Gillig
The Exorcism of Faeries — J.L. Vampa
Immortal Consequences — I.V. Marie
Arcana Academy — Elise Kova
A Natural History of Dragons — Marie Brennan
A Dark and Secret Magic — Wallis Kinney
If It Makes You Happy — Julie Olivia
In the Company of Witches — Auralee Wallace
Katabasis — R.F. Kuang
Cackle — Rachel Harrison
Rewitched — Lucy Jane Wood
Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match — Sally Thorne
The Girl in White — Lindsey Currie
Dracula — Bram Stoker
My Roommate is a Vampire — Jenna Levine
Not Quite Dead Yet — Holly Jackson
If We Were Villains — M.L. Rio
Practical Magic — Alice Hoffman
The Once and Future Witches — Alix E. Harrow
Frankenstein — Mary Shelley
The Unmaking of June Farrow — Adrienne Young
Checking Out Crime — Laurie Cass
A River Enchanted — Rebecca Ross
the time has come for our autumn book recommendations… aka BOOKS YOU MUST READ THIS SEASON 🍂📚 we are honestly so jealous of anyone picking these up for the first time because the vibes are perfecttt! think cosy fantasies that feel like a warm hug, witchy reads perfect for spooky nights, dark academia staples, plus some romance, & gothic classics!
basically, if you’ve been wondering what to add to your tbr this season, we’ve done the work for you. light a candle, grab a hot drink, and prepare your goodreads because the list is loooong!!
here’s everything we recommended in the episode:
Cosy Fantasy
Fantasy
Witchy Vibes
Dark Academia
Mystery
Romance
Classics/Gothic
Other
to stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do Follow us on instagram, tiktok or subscribe to us on youtube here! Thinking of joining our BOOK CLUB? We’d love to have you! Check it out here.
! for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: thematchadiariespod@gmail.com
THIS IS NOT A DRILL, IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN AKA OUR FAVOURITE TIME AKA AUTUMN! AKA AUTUMN DIARIES TIME!! (sorry not sorry for the dramatic capitalisation but it simply had to be done to transmit our excitement). in this first episode we do a cosy catch up of our lives, share some of our recent (bookish) recommendations, as well as answer some of your questions on how to romanticise your life and actually enjoy autumn even though you're a stressed out uni student or are scared of the days (& your mood) getting darker...
grab a hot drink, get cosy & enjoyyy this first instalment auf our autumnal podcast series. 🍂
link to autumn playlist mentioned here!
to stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do Follow us on instagram, tiktok or subscribe to us on youtube here! ☕ Thinking of joining our BOOK CLUB? We’d love to have you! Check it out here! for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: thematchadiariespod@gmail.com
this week’s episode feels like a love letter to girlhood! we chat about the collective bonding over The Summer I Turned Pretty, the nostalgic pull of The Vampire Diaries, Taylor Swift’s new podcast interview, and the way these moments make us lean into nostalgia and community!
to stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do Follow us on instagram, tiktok or subscribe to us on youtube here! ☕ Thinking of joining our BOOK CLUB? We’d love to have you! Check it out here! for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: thematchadiariespod@gmail.com
this episode does what it says in the tin (aka the title) because we both had MANY realisations this week - from realising our negative bias, wanting to be less self-centered, finding our purpose, setting unrealistic expectations to perfectionism - we chat about it all.
to stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do follow us on instagram, tiktok or subscribe to us on youtube here or here (leo's booktube) ! ☕ also, if you want to join our BOOK CLUB... you can join us here - current book of the month is 'wild dark shore' by charlotte mcconaghy).
if you don't have any social media and want to chat (or for advertising opportunities), please email us at: thematchadiariespod@gmail.com
this episode is genuinely a girly catch up call where we yap about how we are feeling, how we want to try make the most out of the rest of summer (but also find ways to live slowly - which is something we CAN'T WAIT to have in autumn). we also talk about our recent reads, morning habits & our recent thoughts on alcohol/being sober.
we also end this by giving advice to one of you lovely listeners <3
to stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do Follow us on instagram, tiktok or subscribe to us on youtube here! ☕ Thinking of joining our BOOK CLUB? We’d love to have you! Check it out here! for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: thematchadiariespod@gmail.com
in this episode (inspired by the amazing goes without saying episode) we break down our self criticism & self sabotage tendencies & HOW WE'RE GONNA TURN THAT SHIZZLE AROUND!!!
to stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do follow us on instagram, tiktok or subscribe to us on youtube here! ☕ also, if you want to join our BOOK CLUB... you can join us here.
if you don't have any social media and want to chat (or for advertising opportunities), please email us at: thematchadiariespod@gmail.com
welcome to the digital detox diary entry #3... 1 month without social media to test my brain & see what happens ... JOIN ME!
in this ep we do a lil check-in on how i've been feeling now that we're THREE weeks into this challenge - the highs AND the lows (coz trust me there've been some...). we're talking overthinking, what happens when you actually have time to sit with your feelings, new missions and some recs!
also... my first yt video is up eeeek. you can find it here.
daily journal prompts:
recs:
the crimson moth/heartless hunter duology by kristen ciccarelli
the book of azrael by amber v. nicole
@faithsreadingthings (cosy booktube channel)
if you want to join the challenge or just want to chat, please email us at: thematchadiariespod@gmail.com
to stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do follow us on instagram, tiktok or subscribe to us on youtube here! ☕ also, if you want to join our BOOK CLUB... you can join us here.
SPOILER ALERT FOR THE FIRST 2X EPS OF TSIP SEASON 3!! PROCEED WITH CAUTION AT YOUR OWN RISK!!! in this cosy catch up, ur basically on facetime with us as we break down the latest pop culture gossip, our thoughts & potentially controversial opinions...
let us know your thoughts on everything we discussed!!
to stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do follow us on instagram, tiktok or subscribe to us on youtube here! ☕ also, if you want to join our BOOK CLUB... you can join us here - current book of the month is 'atmosphere' by taylor jenkins reid).
if you don't have any social media and want to chat (or for advertising opportunities), please email us at: thematchadiariespod@gmail.com
logo credit: @french75studio
digital detox ep 2! in this episode we catch up on how the first days of this 'experiment' have gone & ponder whether us as human beings are missing friction in our lives? aka have our lives become TOO convenient and streamlined, and is that actually ruining things for us? alsoo we talk a walk down memory lane & read my (leo's) old journal entries from 2020 (!) and 2023 and discuss what i actually want to learn from these past versions of me...
if you're joining me so we can hold each other accountable, LET ME KNOW HOW IT'S GOING!! reply in the comments OR our email is: thematchadiariespod@gmail.com ☕
also, if you want to join our BOOK CLUB... you can join us here. our current book of the month is 'atmosphere' by taylor jenkins reid).