Tag: walks

Categories
Currently

Currently #22

Hey guys! We are almost to my favorite time of year; all the holidays…from Halloween to Thanksgiving and rounding things off with Christmas! I love this time of year. I have been embracing the fall with all the leaves and the cooler temps. Here’s a look into what I’m currently into. 

What I’m up to:  I’ve been enjoying all the fall activities, I’ve been trying to go on long walks every week. Whether it’s near or far, I love a good walk. To read about some of my favorite walks, check out my latest post. I’ve also been spending lots of time with family. I’m also slowly getting ready for the holidays by decorating for Halloween and fall! 

A rainy day and a nice walk was the perfect combination for a Friday

What I’m wearing: I hate to say it, but my wardrobe hasn’t been too exciting. I’ve been wearing hoodies and sweaters and jeans on days off. For work days, It’s been a mix of long sleeve dresses and pants with blazers too. Layers has been key when it feels like winter in the morning but summer by the afternoon. 

Jacket in the morning…
Not needed by the afternoon…hello fall weather!
Long sleeves and straight hair for cooler mornings on the desk

What I’m reading: Reading every morning has been the best way to start my days. I really enjoyed The Silent Patient, it was the perfect mix of a mystery and a psychological thriller.

Here’s what I started my month with.

For romantic mystery, What if You and Me was a great pick. There’s also a spooky twist to it, which makes it perfect for Halloween.

Another cute one story with a cute twist

I just finished reading The Last Mona Lisa, it was one of the best books I read in a long time. I loved the historical mystery and the two different time period parallels.

One of the best books I’ve read in a long time.

I’m currently reading, Nantucket Threads, which is a summer beach read, it’s definitely lighter compared to my past few reads. 

What I’m Watching: Besides my weekly shows like Grey’s Anatomy and A Million Little Things, I’ve been watching Community, which is perfect to watch in the mornings when I’m getting ready or at night if I want to watch something to unwind. The all-star cast makes it so fun to watch! I’m also on the to watch season 3 of You on Netflix. I’m hooked on it. 

What I’m Loving: I’ve been loving fall walks, seeing the leaves falling, doing lots of  reading and warm mornings and nights. I have been starting my mornings between the gym and work by lighting a candle and sipping some hot cider while I get ready for the day. I do some reading and meditating before I head out the door. It’s the best way to start the day. 

Another fall walk in the books.

What Inspires Me: I’ve been inspired by the slow and steady of daily life mind you, not every day is slow and calm, I have plenty of busy days but I savor the calm ones. I’ve also been doing lots of baking to which satisfies a sweet tooth and it gives my family a sweet treat to enjoy.

A fall trail mix on a day off

What I accomplished: I’ve been getting things done on my fall bucket list, from walks to fall treats, cider, and cozy nights in. I’ll be sharing my full bucket list recap in the coming weeks. 

Fall pumpkins for some pretty decorations.

Goals Accomplished from Last Month I’ve done a good job at slowing down. After a busy summer of travel, it’s been nice to have more lowkey days off. Last week, I spent the day reading, watching some shows, baking, meal prepping and running a few fun errands. It was the perfect mix of balance on a day off.  

First Time making s’mores cookies,

Goals for the New Month: Did someone say holidays?! I can’t wait to start getting ready for the holidays, between gift giving, seeing family, treats and decorating….I can’t wait

That’s a look into the past month. What have you accomplished in the past few weeks?

Categories
Fitness Travel

Fall Hiking Spots

I need to start today’s post by putting it out there that I’ve never been much of an outdoors or sporty person. I played soccer in the summer when I was in grade school, and I did tennis for one year in middle school. But other than that, I didn’t do too many other sports. I have always enjoyed working out, whether it’s lifting or cardio, but I won’t be competing in the Olympics anytime soon. But walking? That’s up to my speed.

One thing I have always loved is walks. There’s nothing like taking in nature and fresh air while getting in a workout. I took advantage of walks even more during the pandemic. It was a safe way to see people at a distance, get out the house, and have things be semi-normal. I have continued to fall in love with walks and hiking in the past few months and I love traveling to different places to see new things and get in a good walk too. Plus, you can go for a walk in every season-just make sure you dress appropriately.

Here’s a roundup of some of my favorite spots so far this fall.

-Presque Isle

The beautiful Lake Erie

This may seem like a no brainer, but I love going for walks at Presque Isle. People come from all over the region and I’m lucky enough to have it in my backyard. Whether it’s on the paths by the water or deep in the trails, it’s a beautiful spot to walk in any season.

-The Bayfront

Another view from the Bayfront

Another beautiful spot to go for a walk in the city is on the Bayfront. There’s sidewalks and parks to enjoy time outside and with a beautiful backdrop. I love watching the sunset after taking an evening stroll.

-Erie Bluffs

A hidden gem outside of Erie.

Not the greatest picture, but it was beautiful spot about 20 minutes outside of Erie. Erie Bluffs has a number of trails and walking areas. I stumbled upon a beach and access to water and it was a great place to take in the scenery especially after a long walk.

-Geneva State Park

Another view of Lake Erie, this time from Ohio.

If you are looking to head out of Erie County, then heading over to Ohio for a quick drive is always a good idea. At Geneva State Park, there’s a number of trails, both paved and not paved to enjoy. There’s also the beaches, the camp sites and the vegetation to enjoy. I love getting to see Lake Erie from all different angles.

-Cuyahoga Valley National Park

The creeks and the trees were picture perfect
Another view

If you are up for a bit of an adventure, heading into Ohio, there’s plenty to find. A few weeks back, I ventured to Cuyahoga Valley National Park for a train ride and a walk. Even though it was cold and rainy it was the perfect fall backdrop. I loved all the trails and paths.

-Kinzua Bridge State Park

The broken railroad tracks.
All bundled up for a walk

Another perfect place for a walk with some gorgeous views especially in the fall is the Kinzua State Park. There’s a number of trails and places to explore but the highlight is seeing the broken railroad tracks after a tornado came though a number of years ago. You can go down into the valley which is a pretty cool part too.

-Letchworth State Park

My second favorite waterfall in New York.
Gorgeous views

I spent my first time in Letchworth State Park just a few weeks ago. It is in the middle of nowhere in New York, but after going through twists and turns, you hear the rushing water and then you are greeted by the waterfalls. You can view them from all different levels. I loved the fact that there was these beautiful waterfalls in the middle of a forest. Simply stunning and so serene.

There’s are just a few places that I have travelled to recently. Where are your favorite places to hike, walk or run.

Categories
Currently

Currently #21

Hey hey guys! Happy final week of September! Anyone else feel like we just celebrated Labor Day??

This month feels like a whirlwind, from wrapping up summer fun to starting the fall season. This month was packed full with lots of fun and memories. Here’s a look back on September with Currently.

What I’m up to:  Lots of fall walks! I am trying to soak up as much time outside as possible. From walks at the Peninsula, to walks in the woods or just in my backyard.

Finishing summer with summer walks.

I finished summer with a traditional baseball game.

Ending summer at a baseball game.

I’ve also made headway in my fall bucket list! l already went to a pumpkin patch and I’m making headway in some scary stories and fall walks too. Besides work and family time, my hobbies have been keeping me busy.

I already went to a pumpkin patch this year.

What I’m wearing: The weather has made it hard to find outfits this season. Sometimes I can get away with short sleeves, other times, its long sleeves and pants. I have a fall roundup of work clothes coming soon! I am starting to break out my leggings when I’m at home on days off or when I come home from work. I found a great pair from Gap, they are super long lasting and are thick too. I also like that they are high-waisted too!

What I’m reading: I finished reading “The People You Meet on Vacation” and I absolutely loved it! From the characters, the plot and the way it was told. If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend it!

My little buddy reading with me.

I’m also currently reading “The Silent Patient”. My friend Maddie recommended it to me and I have loved it! I’ve never been a fan of thrillers or dark mysteries but I’m hooked on it. What are some books you are loving?!

What I’m Watching: I finished watching season 2 of Modern Love. I really loved the first season and I thought the second one was good, but I really loved the first one. Based on popularity I started to watch Community. I really love the characters and how its only 30 minute episodes. I also can’t wait for my shows to return on tv!! Shows returning in the fall is a big favorite for me!

What I’m Loving: As we are making our way through fall, I’m all about staying in more, less time traveling and more quality time unwinding after work or spending time with family. I’m loving cozy nights in and building time in my schedule for the things I love including reading or shows or even going for walks or coffee with friends. 

I’ve been spending a lot of time baking.
And cooking too!

What Inspires Me: For the longest time I was putting off the start of fall. I wanted to hold onto summer for as long as I could. I enjoyed a boat ride with co-workers and I enjoyed a flower festival with my mom too!

But now that fall is here, I’m embracing it!! From seeing the leaves fall to lighting warm scents and candles to seeing pumpkins and hay and apples in displays in stores and at different farmer’s markets. 

Boat rides with co-workers!
And summer flower festivals too!

What I accomplished: As far as accomplishments go, I’ve been keeping busy at work between some projects and just the daily work. I’ve been making time for meaningful time with family too. I got busy in the summer visiting friends, but now that things have quieted down a but I’m liking a quieter lifestyle. I even started finding old hobbies fun again, like word searches. I loved them as a child and I’m found my love for them again!

I feel like a kid again with a word search!

Goals Accomplished from Last Month I really soaked up the end of summer and the warm weather by going on walks and enjoying some tasty ice cream, say it with me, ice cream makes everything better. Now, that summer is officially behind us, it’s full on fall mode. 

Big pumpkins are getting me ready for fall!

Goals for the New Month: Besides working, my goal for the next month is to accomplish as many things as possible on my fall bucket list! I love my lists and I look forward to crossing more things off and making memories.

My Fall Bucket List

That’s a look into my life this past month, all about the changing of seasons and getting ready for a new season. What are you looking forward this next month? What was a highlight from your past month?

Categories
Fabulous living

Fall Bucket List

Hey ya’ll, it’s fall!!! I rarely say ya’ll except to have it rhyme with fall hehe! If you have been following along for a while, you know I love my bucket lists and to do lists.

Every season I make a list of activities or things I want to do in that season. I’ve made them for the past few summers and I love seeing how much I accomplish and all the memories I make along the way. They can be as simple as getting a favorite drink or going for a walk or something bigger like heading to a fall festival. It’s all about taking advantage of opportunities and making memories.

I always like to create a list of season must-do’s. Here’s my fall 2021 bucket list:

My Fall Bucket List
  • Apple Picking
  • Niagara Falls
  • Kinzua Hike
  • Hockey Game
  • Cider Press
  • Decorate Pumpkins
  • Collect Leaves
  • Scary Book and Movie
  • Celebrate Halloween 
  • Fall Walk
  • Enjoy Hot Apple Cider
  • Make A Fall Treat
  • Mason Farms
  • Fall Festival

This is just a little to-do list of plans I have for the next few months. If I get them all done, great! If I don’t then it’s not the end of the world. Sometimes, I do things that aren’t on my list and that’s part of the fun. Also, having a list helps come up with ideas to do when you are looking for fun inspiration.

What’s something on your fall bucket list!?

Categories
Fabulous living

Summer Bucket List Recap

Well, here we are in September. This weekend is Labor Day and therefore the end of summer. Although, I plan on still soaking up as much sunshine and warm weather when days permit it. Now, that summer is almost over, it was time for a summer bucket list check in. Did I accomplish all my goals, did I add somethings to the list?! Let’s take a look.

Summer Bucket List Recap
  • Seawolves Baseball Game

Didn’t happen but there’s still a few more weeks left of home games, so I’m hoping to make it to one before the season is up.

  • Start a new show

I finished Offspring this summer, I also watched the second season of Outer Banks, watched the second season of Modern Love and I watched the Pursuit of Love. I watched a lot over the summer. The Pursuit of Love was good, it followed the lives of two women through their lives in the 1930s and 1940s. It’s only three seasons, so it’s not too long of a commitment.

One of the series I watched
  • Summer reading

I read lots of books this summer, from fiction to non-fiction, beach reads and autobiographies. To see everything I read you can check out my past Currentlys or my Instagram stories. I’ve really enjoyed getting lost in books this summer. 

  • Travel someplace new

I didn’t travel any place new but I did have new experiences, such as travelling alone and seeing new things with family and friends.

  • Best friend’s wedding shower and Best friend’s wedding

One of the highlights of my summer was celebrating one of my best friend’s bridal shower, girl’s weekend and wedding. It was incredible to see college friends and celebrate love this summer.

A look at my dress
  • See college friends

I was able to see college friends through visits to Pittsburgh, wedding festivities, shopping trips, and lunches. 

  • See high school friends 

I saw my close high school friends this summer. I kept up with my book club this summer, I also went to my 5 Year Class Reunion, and dinners and holidays! I’m so glad I stayed close with my friends. 

Time with high school friends
  • Ice cream nights

My answer to everything this summer was ice cream. Good or bad day, ice cream was the answer. I went to many of my favorite ice creams spots all through the summer. 

Lots of ice cream this summer
  • Dinner by water

I didn’t get dinner by the water but I got lunch which was perfect! Especially in Pittsburgh and seafood too, It was perfect!

Summer by the water
  • Play putt putt

I played putt putt both here in Erie and on vacation, so fun!

  • Beach day

I was able to head to the beach one morning before work and on a day off too. Plus lots of walks at the peninsula.

  • Zoo 

I went to many zoos this summer. I went to our local zoo a few times. I also went to the Pittsburgh Zoo and Keystone Safari too which was so much fun! Ya girl loves the zoo and animals. 

Keystone Safari for the day
  • Family trip

My family and I went away for a few days at the start of the summer and thank goodness we did, because the summer got busy once we got back.

Family time in Hershey!
  • Pittsburgh Trip

I went to Pittsburgh with friends and family this summer. I also went to different places surrounding Pittsburgh to visit friends.

A view of the city from above.
  • See family

I got to see lots of family this summer between picnics and celebrations and just relaxing. It was great to see so many people especially after a year without seeing people. 

The Fourth spent with family

– White Turkey and Sara’s

Both classic summer spots. I’m so glad I was able to enjoy them with family and friends. 

Hot dog and ice cream on the beach after a walk.
  • Niagara Falls

I didn’t make this happen this summer but there’s still time in the fall to make it happen.

  • Grill nights

I enjoyed lots of grilling. From barbecues with friends, family nights at home, and just enjoying time outside. 

  • Entertain friends

I didn’t get to do a lot of entertaining this summer, but I did get a lot of visits in.

  • Winery or Brewery

I didn’t make this happen this fall, but I’m hoping to make it happen this fall!

  • Celebrate 23

I celebrated 23 with lunch at work, followed by cake and presents on my birthday and the day after. I also went out to dinner after work the day after too. It was great to celebrate a new year full of new adevntures.

My birthday dress.
  • Summer festivals

I enjoyed some local festivals as a part of my job and after work. It’s always great to support community events and change things up on weekends or after work.

  • Pool days

I spent lots of days out by the pool, between reading outside, floating in the water or playing in the water. I had time to soak up the water on hot summer days!

Even my dog Reese got in on the pool action.

That’s just a look at what I did this past summer. What did you accomplish this summer?!

Categories
Fabulous living

Summer Date Ideas

Guys!!!!! Can you believe summer is winding down?! I can’t believe we are in the middle of August! I’ve been checking lots of things off my summer bucket list, I can’t wait to share it with you! Before summer is up, I still have some fun summer date ideas for you and your significant other or your girlfriends or family. Here’s a roundup of my favorite summer date ideas! 

-Ice Cream Date 

I always say that ice cream makes everything better! Bad day? Eat ice cream! Need something to celebrate? Enjoy ice cream! Hungry? Ice cream is right around the corner! After work or a walk, there’s nothing quite like enjoying some cold ice cream on a summer day or night. The only thing better is getting ice cream from a local shop. I’ve been trying to enjoy ice cream from every local stand, we will see how it goes in a few weeks. But nothing speaks summer like ice cream!

Hot dog and ice cream on the beach after a walk.

-Going for walks 

I love taking walks in the summer. Whether it’s by the water, on a trail in the woods or on a trail. Taking a walk allows you to have good conversations while getting fresh air and some exercise in. Plus, how can you beat these views by the water?!

Walking my way through summer days.

-Head to a Sporting Event

Whether you are a sports gal or not, heading to a baseball game or soccer game in the summer is relaxing but also a great activity that’s not too expensive. You can watch a game, enjoy a hot dog, and taking in a sunset too if it’s a night game. 

-Zoos

They’re perfect for couples or families; they’re sunny and offer exercise and they’re active and exciting. Plus, it takes you back to your childhood seeing the animals up close and personal. I love to head to a zoo no matter what city I’m in!

Zoos are a favorite date ideas of mine!

-State parks

 I’ve been to a couple around the area and there’s so much they all offer. You can tailor the experience! Wanna swim? Done! Hike? Done! BBQ? Why not!

Summer times at State Parks

These are just a few of my favorite summer date ideas! But, I love to take advantage of the outdoors and adventures in the summer. What are some of your favorite date ideas for the summer?

Categories
Fabulous living

Managing Stress

Hello everyone! I hope your week is off to a great start as your summers get underway. Although the summer months are filled with fun, adventures, and lots of time outside but it also means a change of routine which can cause lots of stress. Whether you have a high stress job or pockets of stress in your life, there’s always things to do to manage or lower your stress. 

Here are some of my top tips for managing stress. 

  • When life gets to be a lot, write it down.

I always feel better when I write my to do list or what’s on my mind down, I always feel a lot better, plus when I see it all written down, it makes everything a lot more manageable. I also journal every day and that helps me reflect on the good every day and puts things in perspective too. I always start my day off with journaling and my daily prayers. When I start my day off with my routine

  • Get outside

Whenever a situation gets overwhelming or stressful, I find it helpful to take a walk or get outside and just get some fresh air. Even if it’s just for 10 minutes, it makes a big difference. The sunshine makes it even better to get outside and just process things.

Going on walks is a favorite of mine
  • Talk it Out

I always feel better after I talk about my stressors or pain points with someone, whether it’s my mom or best friend. It always makes me feel better just to talk out what’s going on instead of bottling it up inside. 

  • Create a relaxing atmosphere 

Especially at the end of a stressful day, I like to create a soothing and relaxing atmosphere. Whether it’s burning some candles or using some essential oils, I like to cultivate a space that I can truly unwind and relax.

I saw this on Instagram and I couldn’t agree more. We all need time to just rest.
  • Breathing exercises 

I started to use the Mindfulness feature on my fitbit, it allows me to practice deep breathing whenever I need time to just pause and reset.

My mindfulness app

These are a few tricks that have worked for me. What things do you do to relax or manage your stress?

Categories
Fabulous living

Summer Bucket List 2021

Hey guys! Happy Wednesday! We are officially in June! I had the best time celebrating my birthday last weekend. In between work, I was able to go out for dinner, see family, open presents and celebrate with friends too! It was the best way to celebrate 23! 

I always view Memorial Day as the official start to summer, now that we are passed that I can share my official summer bucket list! I have shared them every summer since I started my blog and I love to use my list as a way to hold me accountable and be intentional with my summer plans. Here’s my summer bucket list for 2021. I’ve already started to do somethings this summer which I was super excited about. 

My summer bucket list that hangs on my wall

-Seawolves Baseball Game

-Start a new show

-Summer reading

-Travel someplace new

-Best friend’s wedding shower

-Best friend’s wedding

-See college friends

I already saw my bestie Danielle!

-See high school friends 

-Ice cream nights

-Dinner by water

-Play putt putt

-Beach day

Grilling on the beach was a favorite of mine!

-Zoo 

-Family trip

-Pittsburgh Trip

-See family

-White Turkey

A summer must-have

-Sara’s

After a walk at Presque Isle, ice cream was a must!

-Niagara Falls

-Grill nights

-Entertain friends

-Winery or Brewery

-Celebrate 23

-Summer festivals

-Pool days

-Summer Hikes

Hiking at the Peninsula
Hikes at Geneva State Park

I know more things will come up this summer but here are my top things that I want to accomplish this summer. What are some things that are on your summer bucket list?!

Categories
Currently

Currently #16

Hey guys! Another month is coming to an end, I can’t believe May will be here next week…I am very excited for next month because it means we are getting closer and closer to summer. I’m looking forward to spending more time out in the sun.

This month I have been spending as much time as I can outside both in and out of work.

Here’s a look into my life over the past month. 

What I’m up to: This month was all about welcoming spring! The month started out with Easter preps! We dyed eggs and went to Easter mass and saw family. It was a much more normal celebration compared to last year when we were all in a stay at home order. I’ve also wrapped up a few work projects which was a great sigh of relief and the I’ve been spending a lot of time outside! Going on walks before or after work has been a favorite of mine!

Easter morning…one of my favorite traditions
And you can’t celebrate Easter without an Easter basket.

What I’m wearing: The weather has been funky, some days it’s been in the 70s, other days its been in the 40s, so that makes dressing for work tricky. Luckily, I know the power of layers! But my latest favorite is this trench coat from J. Crew! I got it for Christmas, and I couldn’t wait for spring weather to start wearing it. It is the perfect spring jacket that can be dressed up or down. I have worn it over my work dresses but also with leggings and jeans. Here’s a few of the looks. 

One of my favorite trench coats from J.Crew! Here it is all dressed up! And my little pup jumped in the photo!
Here it is dressed down a bit with leggings.

What I’m reading: Reading has been my go-to to start or end the day. In the past month, I finished The Tenth of December, I listened to it on audible and you can read about my experience with audiobooks here. It’s a collection of short stories with different moral lessons. It was a good read, but it wasn’t my favorite.

I also read Growing Boldly by Emily Ley. You  can read my full review in last week’s post.

One of my favorites of the month!

And then I read And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. This was my favorite book I have read recently. I loved the concept, the mystery, the intrigue and the characters. It was soooo good and definitely one of my favorites of the year so far. 

I couldn’t put this one down!
My weekly book club dates are a highlight of my week!

What I’m Watching:  My weekly shows are starting to wind down.  This is Us wraps up in May, this season has been so good and I have enjoyed seeing how the show and cast has adapted to Covid. Grey’s Anatomy has been my favorite this year, from seeing how first responders and hospital staff and doctors deal with Covid, to lots of stand alone episodes and Meredith on the beach with TONS of INCREDIBLE guest stars, wow, this season has been fantastic!  A Million Little Things has been good and fun to keep up with. Those have been keeping me busy. Besides those shows, I just started watching Offspring, its about a family and their dynamics as adults. It’s very funny and light hearted on Netflix. 

What I’m Loving: Even though we had some chilly weather last week, I am loving the warmer weather and taking advantage of the sunshine. Last weekend I picked flowers when I was out for my walk. It was beautiful! On another note, I have been obsessed with Taylor Swift’s (new?) album. It’s bringing me back to my middle school days. 

What Inspires Me: I am inspired by spring colors and the changing seasons. I have so much hope for a much more normal summer and I can’t wait to start making my summer bucket list. I am also inspired by Pinterest lately, from quotes, to seasonal things, cooking, and home décor. It’s been so fun to browse a bit every night. 

Going for walks has me craving spring.

What I accomplished: I’ve been really happy with my new hobbies, from reading and cooking. It’s been such a fun and creative outlet. Plus, I’m really happy with some of my recent pieces at work and some fun opportunities. Also, by far my favorite accomplishment was getting my Covid-19 vaccine, I’ve been following the story and covering dozens of vaccine clinics for months and I was thrilled to finally get my vaccine (or the first dose at least). 

A behind the scenes look on the job.

Goals Accomplished from Last Month Last month, I definitely accomplished my goals of being outside more. I have been trying for walks several times a week. I don’t make it a to-do, but enjoy them as they come. The past few months have been super hectic, so I was happy I got the chance to slow down more. I also got some bonus time in there with my extended family which was such a surprise and much needed since we haven’t seen each other much due to the pandemic.

I was out in Pittsburgh for a family commitment and went to Pizza place, best pizza I’ve had in a long time! Yum!

Goals for the New Month: May is my birthday month! I’m so excited to celebrate 23!!! I also can’t wait for the official kickoff for summer with Memorial Day weekend. Most importantly, I’m looking forward to getting my second covid shot next month. One more step to normalcy!!!

That’s a recap of my life. Nothing too exciting, but some of the best things in life happen during the simple days. What are you loving nowadays?

Categories
Fabulous living

Where I’m At…

Hi all!

Happy Wednesday!

It’s warm and sunny out, we are officially in the spring season! There’s a sense of hope every day as we get closer and closer to summer and brighter days ahead. 

One of my goals for 2021 was to have more balance in my life and even though it’s only March, I’m so proud for how far I have come this year.

Last year, between starting a new job (one that I love but that can be unpredictable) and the pandemic. I felt rundown by the end of the year and I was looking for new outlets for creativity and hobbies and I have found that these past few months.

I am so happy where I am in terms of my work life and personal life especially when it comes to hobbies and activities outside of work. 

I have added a few hobbies to the mix and it has made my life much more fulfilling. 

A fun and productive activity that I have gotten into is cooking! I love to bake and cook, but I don’t always have the opportunity to bake or cook. This year, one of my goals was to cook one new meal a week. It’s a way for me to practice my cooking skills and I get to see my hard work payoff with a meal. I love cooking for my family, it’s a small way for me to give back to my family as a thank you for all the things they do for me. I have made soups, and sandwiches, pastas, and many more different dishes. Not every dish is a winner but I love being able to try new things and learn as I go. Cooking has been a great creative outlet for me this year and I know the things I’m learning now will help me greatly down the line. 

My latest dish…spicy shrimp and pasta

One of my other goals was to be more consistent with friends. Thanks to my book club, I am talking to some of my best friends from high school every week over facetime since we all live in different places. We talk about the books we are reading, we talk about how our work is going and what’s new. It so fun to consistently talk and catch up. Also, this helps so much with my goal to read every day. Whether it’s a chapter of a book or 30 mins of reading, I am accomplishing my goal of reading every single day and I absolutely love it. There is nothing better than books and good friends. 

Book Club!

Speaking of friends, I have started to go on weekly coffee dates and walks with one of my childhood friends. Every week for about a month now, we have been getting coffee from local shops and then going for a walk or browsing little shops or stores. We haven’t seen each other consistently for 5 years! It’s been soooo fun to catch up consistently. 

These three outlets have brought me so much joy! From learning new cooking skills and saving them for future use, or reading a lot more and being able to share that love of reading with friends or just getting outside and supporting local places with childhood friends. It’s amazing how much these little or mundane things bring so much joy and purpose into my life!

What are some things you do or have done to make your life more fulfilling this past year?