• 07 Dec, 2025 *

Heya! Im back! So, one of my favorite things about winter and, and christmas specifically, are the sort of slow, deliberate vibes that come with it. Its a season to drink hot chocolate, cuddle up with blankets and generally just take things a bit slower. Well, ideally it at least. Reality can often be a bit more stressfull.

Anyways, Im gonna be talking about some things that make me feel more comfortable. Or, cozier if you will.

First of all: Ive always really liked small, enclosed spaces. They make me feel safe, I guess im sort of like a cat in that way. Ive always really enjoyed stories where the characters just sorta... exist in a confined space for a while and talk. The gravity falls bottomless pit episode is one example, but the thing I mainly want to talk about here is actually a manga.

Its called "The vertical world. Basically, its about this guy, ruska, who lives on a seemingly infinitely tall tower. And, one day... he falls down by accident. That might not seem like the most exciting explanation, but thats kind of why I like it. Its very relaxed, at least in the first couple chapters. Its just about Ruska falling and meeting some fun characters along the way. Theres not really any huge stakes, but it still makes you curious about what might happen next. Its just kind of fun.

It, unusually for a manga, is also a story told in a vertical scroll format. I just kind of thought that was a really neat detail, and definitely helps with the immersion of just falling down this huge tower.

Its just a good time, honestly.

Now, this is mostly unrelated, but Ive also always felt a bit more comfortable in the dark. I suppose this is sort of related to my liking of enclosed spaces. Ive always kind of enjoyed sitting in my room, only having the light of my monitor or phone illuminating my immediate surroundings. I guess its because thats a convenient way to drown out the world. Thats really what all of these come down to, now that I think about it. Its a way to, even if briefly, feel a bit isolated from the world outside.

I still remember walking home at night, the soft crunch of snow under my feet, the way illuminated by a few scarce streetlights. Its nice. I like the dark. Just how Ive always been fond of winter. Both gives you excuses to stay inside, so theyve got that in common I guess.