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Tried another thoughtful birthday gift today. Shoutout to my mom for giving me a calming, cozy coloring book unlike any I've used before.

As a teacher and a single lady, the decision fatigue runs deep. I love the relaxation and fun of coloring with the burden of decision-making removed. While the dot format isn't an aesthetic I would normally gravitate toward, it's surprisingly forgiving when you're less than precise—low-key permission to stop worrying about coloring outside the lines.

Trying out a few watercolor techniques turned into a page of doodles, and while it’s giving first-grade results, it’s the trying that counts. *nervous chuckle*

A little box of cards for prompting self-care suggested that I declutter a space. I’ve been meaning to organize my earrings for a while, so I bought a spinning stand and made it happen. The reflection that followed was a moment of gratitude for the growth of my little collection. I really love beautiful and fun earrings, so I had gathered many over the years. A couple of years ago my home was broken into and the culprits made off with the majority of my jewelry among other things. Shortly after, my friends surprised me with a lovely gift comprised of a few earrings selected by each of them to jumpstart my collection. It was a moment that I felt very seen and cared for. I’ve continued adding to it since then, and I’m grateful for every little pair.

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My sister always finds me fun new things to try with colors and art. This hidden patterns coloring book from Lifelines reveals the sort of shading that makes me feel like the expert artist that I am not. I loved watching the patterns emerge and seeing the final product.

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Bob Ross’n with my sister and my cousin at Painting with a Twist. I am not a natural, but I am trying to embrace all of my happy little accidents.

First time hosting my Pages & Poetry Book Club meeting at Bibliobar. We had a small but mighty crew for our first meeting. We read lots of sad poems and a few happy ones, and connected in that special way that book clubs and poetry allow—looking forward to the next time.