A life on the road is not for the weak.
That’s why Dulcé Sloan, a stand-up comedian who also preaches the perils of dating broke men, sticks to a routine that keeps her healthy and sane.
“I’ve been a full-time comic for 10 years,” she said in a phone interview. “I’ve been on the road for 10 years. So yeah, the physical of going from place to place every day, it’s one of the hardest parts.”
From Thursdays to Sundays, Sloan usually schleps around the country performing in comedy clubs. The grind continues this summer with tour dates in Connecticut, Kentucky, Missouri and Texas.
Sloan, who won an Emmy in 2024 as part of the team at “The Daily Show,” shared some of her favorite things, including coloring books, historical K-dramas and the freedom of walking around her Los Angeles home in her skivvies (“I pay the mortgage!”). These are edited excerpts from the conversation.
Key Chains and Phone Charms
I make all my own merch. I have a whole craft room in my house and I’ve always been a crafter. I can bring some of the beads with me and make stuff while I’m on the road. I make them out of pony beads and silicone beads.
Coloring Books
TikTok got me again. That’s how I got into adult coloring books. No, it’s not adult subject matter. It’s like bears going to get coffee or kitty cats washing a car. I bring the coloring books on the road to really relax. Coco Wyo is a very popular company — one of their books is called “Into Gardens.” I have another coloring book that I really like called “Cozy Foodie,” where vegetables go shopping.
Stuffed Animals on a Sconce
For decorating my house, I put up these sconces outside my bedroom. I had a little plushie on my couch in my bedroom. I sat it up there because I just need more content for my newsletter. Now every week, I put a different little stuffed animal or something on the sconce and call it the changing of the guard. It’s a section in my newsletter, it’s just a silly thing.
Talking on the Phone
There’s nothing better than talking to a boy on the phone! How do you make a genuine connection to someone? You can’t get tone through texting. So many arguments have started in a text thread because someone didn’t catch the other person’s tone correctly.
Cozy Murder Mysteries
When I say cozy murder mysteries, I mean “Father Brown,” “Murdoch Mysteries” and “Death in Paradise.” I don’t do the ones where it’s always nighttime and the detective has a drug problem. I like the ones that solve crimes during the day. I enjoy watching them just because it’s a nice way to have a little puzzle for yourself.
Historical Korean Dramas
I have a podcast called “Chasing K-Dramas.” I do it with Chrissy Choi. The best part of watching those historical dramas — it’s nice to see people in the past and there are no white folks. All of our context of the past is through white people. It’s nice to know people had a history that didn’t include white people.
Acupuncture
I got into acupuncture because I got very sick at the beginning of 2026. I go once a week. I only go to my person. I’m usually in Los Angeles Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I’m on the road Thursday through Sunday, so I always schedule my appointments on a Tuesday or Wednesday.
Mom
She’s a silly lady! She always says we grew up together, because she was 21 when I was born. We’ll sit in the living room and watch our favorite mystery shows together. I get my sense of how I should be treated and how people should be treated from my mom.
Walking Around in My Underwear
I pay the mortgage! Regardless of where I’ve ever lived, I’m going to walk around in my “drawls” because why would I be fully dressed at home? As soon as I get home, I’m changing my clothes. There’s no way I’m walking around in outside clothes in my home.
Daydreaming
When I think about daydreaming about my future; it’s like future children, but also continuing to do the work. I got a new therapist and doing acupuncture and all of these things. Being on the road and being by yourself so much is really hard.
Derrick Bryson Taylor is a Times reporter covering breaking news in culture and the arts.
The post Dulcé Sloan Thinks You Should Pick Up When the Phone Rings appeared first on New York Times.




