A journal entry on pain, anxiety, and the small comforts that bring calm.

Ohh, the anxiety today… so much racing through my mind. My heart has barely settled all morning. I finally received a response regarding my ongoing case — and once again, it danced around all the important questions, only addressing what’s convenient. It’s frustrating. It feels like being pulled into a game I never wanted to play.

I’m currently recovering from ankle surgery — resting, healing, and doing my best to stay grounded.
And while I’m surrounded by love and supported by my partner, the weight of this journey is still incredibly heavy.

There are days, like today, where I feel stuck. Physically limited. Exhausted by the mental load. And grieving parts of my life that feel so far away now.

Like my bakery.
Something I built entirely on my own — all the research, the branding, the passion. I brought it to life with everything I had. And then, I had to let it go. Another thing interrupted before it could reach where it was meant to go. I’ve seen that pattern too many times.

Maybe that’s where my resilience was born.
But this injury — this fight — has been the hardest chapter yet.

I’m advocating for myself in a system that doesn’t make it easy. I’m navigating pain, paperwork, and pressure all at once. And while it shouldn’t be this way, I know I’m not alone in that.

There’s still so much I’m not ready to share. But writing this down has helped.
And maybe reading it helps you, too.

☕ A Cup of Calm

One thing that grounded me today was a quiet cup of tea by the window.
Simple, but soothing.
Sometimes the smallest comforts are the most powerful.

✨ A Quote I’m Holding Onto

“Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up.”
– Brené Brown

📥 Free Printable Journal Set

If you’re in a season of uncertainty, overwhelm, or just trying to breathe — this one’s for you.

I’ve created a gentle printable journal pack, completely free.

💛 Download it here:
👉 Get the Free Journal Pack on Gumroad
(Free to download. No sign-up needed — just take what you need.)

🌼 Final Thoughts

Today wasn’t easy.
But I showed up. I journaled. I took a breath. I poured a cup of tea. I tried. And that’s something.

If you’re reading this and carrying your own heavy day — I hope this space feels like a soft landing.

You are not weak.
You are not failing.
You are doing your best. And that’s brave.

With warmth,
Turtledove 🕊️

💌 Follow Along

For cozy printables, reflections, and gentle encouragement:

• 📌 Pinterest – @HBPRINTS_UK
• 📸 Instagram – @turtledoveluv
• 🛒 Gumroad – hbprintsuk.gumroad.com
• 🌐 www.turtledoveluv.co.uk

Start your 2025 with these free cozy January phone wallpapers featuring elegant designs and warm aesthetics.

Happy New Year! 🎉

As we step into 2025, I’m thrilled to share a collection of free January-themed phone wallpapers to bring a touch of cozy elegance and inspiration to your daily routine.

This year, my goal is to offer even more free resources, creative ideas, and cozy inspiration. From phone wallpapers to planners, scrapbook papers, and stickers, there’s so much I’m excited to create and share with you!

A Fresh Start for January

January always feels like a fresh start—a time to reset and embrace new beginnings. I’ve designed these wallpapers to reflect that sense of renewal and inspiration.

Every time you glance at your phone, I hope it reminds you to savour the little moments (or just helps you remember the date, depending on the design you choose!).

We see our lock and home screens every day, so why not make them reflect your style, mood, and aesthetic? These wallpapers are designed to bring a sense of calm, joy, and inspiration to your daily routine. I had so much fun creating them—from selecting the colour palettes to refining the details. Each design reflects a cozy, slow-living vibe, and I’m excited to keep improving as the year goes on.

A sneak peek at the creative process behind TurtledoveLuv’s cozy January wallpapers.

Featured Wallpapers

A gentle reminder to slow down and enjoy the moment.

Here are a few of my favourites to get you started:

1. Cosy Sips

Minimal and beautiful, this wallpaper features a thoughtful quote to remind you to slow down, enjoy a cup of tea, and take a moment for yourself. Tea has always been my go-to for relaxation and clearing my mind. Whether it’s a good blend or a peaceful moment, this wallpaper captures that perfectly.

2. Pink Bow Wallpaper

Add a touch of timeless elegance to your phone with this pink bow wallpaper.

I have a thing for bows! They’re elegant, timeless, and a personal favourite of mine. This design brings a classy and stylish touch to your phone. Bows have always been special to me—I still remember crafting my first bow headband as a child! It’s great to see them making a comeback as statement pieces in outfits and accessories.

3. Neutral Tie-Dye January Wallpaper

Perfect for the organised mind, this lock screen wallpaper features January dates for quick reference. It’s both functional and aesthetically pleasing, making it easy to stay on top of your schedule.

4. Cosy Cafe January Wallpaper

For my cozy café lovers, this design adds a touch of personality and warmth to your phone. Featuring a charming January calendar, it’s perfect for lock screens and can be downloaded directly from Pinterest. Give my Pinterest page a follow for more inspiration and useful freebies!

How to Download

To get your chosen wallpaper:

1. Click on the link provided under each design.

1. Download the image.

1. Go to your phone’s settings and set the image as your wallpaper.

1. Enjoy your fresh new look!

Click here to download your favourite cozy January phone wallpapers for free!

Exciting Plans Ahead

A sneak peek of what’s coming in February—stay tuned for more cozy freebies!

I’m also working on:

• Digital scrapbook papers.

• Cozy recipe cards.

• Planner and Goodnotes stickers.

I can’t wait to share these with you soon—February is going to be full of surprises!

Join the Cozy Community

Feedback: I’d love to see how these wallpapers look on your devices! Share a snapshot in the comments or tag me on social media. Your feedback and creativity inspire me.

Share the love: If you enjoy these designs, share them with a friend! Let’s spread the cozy vibes together.

More freebies: Don’t forget to check out my free January planners and cozy printable stickers—perfect for starting the new year in style.

Tag @hbprint_uk to show off your cozy phone screens and join the community!

Stay Connected

Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Threads, and X(Twitter) for more cozy inspiration and updates.

Want exclusive freebies and first looks? Subscribe to my newsletter!

Here’s to a cozy, creative 2025!

Thanks for reading, 

TurtledoveLuv

I really underestimate myself sometimes. Since my injury, I’ve definitely slowed down on my baking. I was put off by the pain I have to deal with afterward. Using something that doesn’t work properly can do that.

Recently, my family and I went on a weekend getaway to Scotland to celebrate my mom’s 50th birthday. I decided I’d make all the bread we’d need for the trip. My family has always loved fresh bread, especially my dad and brothers, who would devour it as soon as my mom baked it when we were younger. So, knowing that there would be 9 of us on this trip, I knew I’d need to make a lot of bread to keep everyone happy!

I started by researching and narrowing it down to two recipes from one of my favorite bread-making instructors on YouTube, John Kirkwood. He always shares great baking tips, and his tutorials are so thorough—no fluff, just honest instructions! You can find him on YouTube under "John Kirkwood" or visit his website: www.profoodhomemade.com.

I chose his Soft Sandwich Rolls, which are perfect for everyday baking. They can also be easily modified into his decadent soft cheese rolls (I’ve added Red Leicester and cheddar before, and they were heavenly, though maybe a bit too rich for what we needed for the trip). But since I wanted something a little fancier for our getaway, I went with his

These crusty bread rolls were definitely a hit during our weekend away. My favorite way to enjoy them was during lunch on our second day. We sat down family-style and ate stewed oxtails, white basmati rice, and this crusty bread. My mom, the true chef in our family—the lady with the apron and the spoon!—made the oxtails, and they were divine. My bread was the perfect complement. One of my brothers didn’t even bother with the rice, which, now that I think about it, makes me smile!

I was thrilled that everyone enjoyed the baked goods I bought. My suitcase was literally packed with treats! I made 40 crusty rolls, 10 sourdough rolls, one large sourdough loaf (which we had with lasagna on our second night), a large banana and chocolate chip cake, and a white chocolate and strawberry jam vanilla cake.

It was fun to see how everyone ate their bread—some with jam, some with melted cheese, and others just with butter. My personal favorite? Toasted with butter, cream cheese, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Delicious!

Recipe Card BACK (click to download!)

If you decide to make this recipe, please share your thoughts, outcomes, or any modifications you make—I’d really love to hear from you! Let’s swap baking tips, favorite ways to enjoy homemade bread, or anything else you’d like to chat about. Don’t hesitate to leave a comment or reach out through the blog!

Turtledove 

Crusty Bread Rolls Recipe (Inspired by John Kirkwood)

Ingredients:

• 500g strong white bread flour

• 6g dried yeast (I like to use 6g instead of John’s 4g for a little extra flavor)

• 10g salt

• 320ml lukewarm water

Instructions:

1. First, I activate the yeast by mixing it with a bit of the lukewarm water (about 50ml). Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it's bubbly—this ensures it’s active and ready to go.

2. In the meantime, combine the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl.

3. Once the yeast is ready, pour it into the flour mixture along with the remaining lukewarm water. I use my stand mixer with a dough hook for this—it makes life so much easier! Start mixing on speed 2 for a minute to bring everything together, then lower to speed 1 and let it knead for about 10 minutes. During this time, I usually scrape down the dough from the hook at least twice to make sure it’s all getting worked properly.

4. When the dough is smooth and elastic, scrape it out of the bowl using a dough scraper and transfer it to a lightly oiled bowl. To help it rise, I like to pop it in my oven with just the light on. It creates a perfect warm environment! Let the dough rise for about 1 hour, or until it’s doubled in size.

5. Once the dough has risen, punch it down (don’t worry, it’ll rise again!) and divide it into 8 equal tight balls. Dust the pieces lightly with flour and let them rest for 5 minutes.

6. After the dough has rested, shape each ball into longer rolls. The shape I go for is a little like a small baguette—long and slightly oval-shaped. Place them on a buttered baking tray, dust them with flour again, and cover with a breathable kitchen towel or cloth.

7. I like to use a baker’s scoring tool (or a sharp knife) to gently score the tops of the rolls, giving them that rustic, bakery-style baguette look.

8. Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F). While the oven is preheating, I boil a kettle and place a tray of boiling water on the bottom rack of the oven to create steam. This helps give the rolls a beautiful crust while baking.

9. Once the rolls have risen, place them in the oven (carefully!) and bake for about 16 minutes, or until they’re as golden brown as you like.

10. When done, remove them from the oven and transfer the rolls to a wire rack to cool.

And there you go! Beautiful, crusty bread rolls with a soft, chewy interior. They’re perfect for sandwiches, or just slathered with butter. Enjoy!