Catch Up Time

It’s been awhile since I’ve done a "catch-up" post where I share cool links and ideas with you that might not take up a full blog entry. Are you ready for some fun little tidbits?

First of all, let’s catch up. It’s been a while since I’ve posted, and honestly, I didn’t mean for it to go this long. It just kind of happened. This year has been a tough one for my health, and I’ve had to be really careful with how I spend my time and energy. I’m making progress, but pain is still a part of my daily life, so it’s been about figuring out balance.

Even with all that, I’ve had a really great summer. I’ll share some of my favorite memories soon, but for now I just want to say how grateful I am for family time, being outdoors, and soaking in the good moments when they come.

These days I’m focusing on physical therapy, pain management, and learning more about how to take care of myself. It feels good to be moving forward. And I can’t go without mentioning my awesome hubby. We’ve been married for over 34 years and I love hanging out with him more than ever. He’s been my biggest support through everything, and I feel so lucky to have him by my side.

Here are a few other things that I’ve been thinking about lately:

Calming crafts = mental reset. Feeling overwhelmed by the news cycle? Me too! Here’s a thoughtful article on how “anti‑doomscrolling hobbies” like scrapbooking, journaling, knitting, or needlework can actually help ease our anxieties by anchoring us in the tactile, the creative, and the present moment. It’s a good reminder to spend time and mental energy on activities that bring joy into our lives.

I ended up going down a rabbit hole when revisiting some old bookmarked blogs, and this post —“Ten Things You Don’t Need to Be an Artist” by Tara Leaver—really resonated with me today. It’s such a lovely reminder that we get to create without permission from anyone but ourselves. No degree, no fancy studio, no polished “style,” no social media presence required—for us to make, play, and call it art.

Reading it felt like a much-needed exhale in a world that bombards us with expectations. It made me pause and think: maybe what I thought I needed in order to be creative was really just noise. And maybe creativity thrives better when we shed those expectations and just embrace what’s simple. That release—of letting go of the “should-haves”—is exactly the kind of gentle encouragement I love sharing here.

Finally, it turns out, hobbies your grandmother loved—like journaling, knitting, and yes, scrapbooking—are trending again among younger creatives who are craving low-tech, tactile joy. Dubbed “grannycore,” this trend is less about nostalgia and more about mindful-making, community, and unplugged connection Experts say these “grandma hobbies” aren’t just charming; their repetitive motions and tangible results can actually calm our minds and bring a dose of joy and mindfulness to the day I’m now a grandma myself, so I guess it’s understandable that I love this trend? It feels so comforting to know that slowing down and embracing creativity is in style! Check out this article from Real Simple for more details.

Thanks for stopping by for a little “catch-up time” - I’m so glad you are here!