Kayla's Blog

As a proud romanticizer-of-life, I’ve realized the key to contentedness comes from small habits and moments- let’s face it, we’re all busy and not quite in the place to make major changes in our daily lives. Looking back, a majority of my blogs have focused on this concept: my favorite fall-inspired products from Trader Joe’s, ways to embrace the Winter months, even my favorite books of 2023. In Summer, Fall, and Winter, this process was almost automatic, however, I’ve always struggled with finding peace and presence during Springtime- some of this is likely due to the tiresome Illinois-spring we get, but also to the mindset that many of us unintentionally carry around, the “we’re almost there!” mindset, counting down the days to summer vacation. 

So, following my main resolution for 2024, to find small hobbies that allow me to be more present, I’ve compiled some of my current favorites that are allowing me to enjoy Springtime! 

 

1. Whipped Coffee

A Quarantine favorite, whipped coffee combines instant coffee, sugar, and water to create a fluffy, caffeinated 

drink. I’m a big coffee drinker, if you haven’t noticed, and while I usually opt for hot coffee, something changed the last few weeks: whether it was the cold I caught that made warm drinks unpleasant, or more likely, the fresh, breezy air that brings me straight back to quarantine. I am incredibly privileged to have fond memories of the pandemic- sleeping in every day, watching Outer Banks, it was truly a time I don’t mind reminiscing on. So, I’ve been making whipped coffee every morning on the weekends, enjoying it while I read in my living room: every sip brings me back to March 2020.  

 

2. The Great British Baking Show

While I’m not a big TV-show watcher, these past few weeks I was craving an entertaining show that I could sit back and sort of half-watch. Ever since Netflix removed Friends, Parks and Rec, and The Office, simultaneously, TV shows just weren’t hitting the same anymore. Until, that is, I discovered The Great British Baking Show. I had had my fair share with baking shows from Food Network, though there was something so refreshing about the non-competitive, feel-good British version. The familiarity of the three different challenges in each episode (the signature, technical, and showstopper), fun and eccentric bakers on the show, myriad of desserts I hadn’t seen before, as well as the beautiful, sunny English countryside often pictured, created the perfect show to watch in my downtime. 

I recently discovered that one of my teammate’s watches The Great British Baking Show during our weekly treadmill workout to stay entertained- while I definitely could not pay attention to it during such a hard workout, it is definitely still a favorite of mine and one I gravitate towards this time of year! 

 

3. Sunset Walks with Friends 

Though it is so tempting to ‘chill’ at someone’s house or go out for a fast-casual dinner, I am always looking for new, fun activities to try with my friends: this one was so simple, and also so enjoyable! One of my closest fri

ends is always begging to go on walks during hang-outs, and while most of us usually dismiss that idea (we’re good friends, I promise!) I began to take her up on it. I know I do so much better when I spend time outside everyday, and certainly everyone can benefit from a little sunlight-serotonin. While the views weren’t anything close to

 those I reminisce from Washington, Montana, or Maine, they are refreshing in their own, Midwestern way. There is something so therapeutic about simply taking a walk and chatting during sunset when it’s a brisk 50 degrees out. So, we’ve made it a part of our weekly hangout regime! 

 

4. Still Woozy 

Music is a big part of my life, so this blog wouldn’t be complete without mentioning one of my current favorite artists! I’ve been listening to Still Woozy since Spring 2021- when I actually got covid, but I was lucky to have it minorly enough that my quarantined days mainly consisted of biking around and listening to music. Again, something about the warm breeze brings me back to the covid times, and I was inspired to listen to my favorite, upbeat artist, whose Indie-pop

 songs truly remind me of Springtime. His single Anyone But You, which was featured in the Romcom by the same title, as well as Lucy and Maybe She are some of my current favorites! I find the music I listen to has a major influence on my overall mood, which can be challenging as a lot of popular music revolves around more negative ideas. So, if you have any recommendations for more upbeat artists, please let me know! 

 

5. Drawing/painting 

Before I got into track and cross country, art was my ‘thing’: I spent my after-school hours attending art lessons, practicing cello, and then going home to draw some more. Over the years, I’ve been able to find time for my artistic side, picking up guitar and learning to crochet, but returning to pen-and-paper art was way too intimidating. I was, once again, inspired by my friend, who has a collection of drawings on her wall that I always find myself admiring. So, over the past long weekend, I picked up my abandoned watercolors and colored pencils, and started drawing some of my favorite things: flowers, sunsets, mountains, and animals. I’m still relearning the process, so I won’t be including any of my drawings yet, but maybe in a future blog 🙂 Overall, I’ve really enjoyed the challenge of learning something new, and also the relaxing side to it!

 

I think that’s all for now! I hope you enjoyed reading and were inspired, either to implement some of these favorites or to focus more on the power of small things 🙂