Hi Friend,
This week has me thinking about the things we loved when we were younger—and how much of that joy is still available to us now.
Sometimes it’s walking around an old college campus. Sometimes it’s putting together a slumber party and realizing you’re having just as much fun with the details as your daughter is with the party. 😂
I’m also sharing a little purchase that’s making my everyday routines cozier, plus my creative wish list for autumn.
Here’s what I’ve been making, noticing, and looking forward to lately…
This past weekend, I walked around my old college campus. There’s something about returning to a place where you spent such a formative part of your life.
I was 18 when I first arrived. I spent four years there becoming more independent, making friends, learning, laughing, figuring things out, and slowly becoming more of who I was.
Coming back all these years later brought up SO many memories. And it inspired a thought I shared in an Instagram reel.
I’m starting to think nostalgia isn’t about wanting to go backward. Maybe it’s about remembering parts of ourselves we forgot to bring forward.
I’ve been thinking about that ever since.
Sometimes, maybe what we miss is something about ourselves from that time. The things that made us happy. The way we played. The things we dreamed about before life got quite so full.
And maybe we don’t have to leave all of that behind just because we grew up.
A journal filled with possibilities. Making things just for fun. More time with friends. Picking up something we loved before we started wondering whether we were any good at it.
There might be a little piece of our younger selves that deserves some room in our lives today.
My campus was right along the Hudson River. I have distinct memories of going down there to walk the first month of my Freshman year. Being by water is so calming to me. More of this now please. 😊
This is me in front of my favorite building on campus- The Library. Just ask any of my college friends, I spent A LOT of time here. Let’s just say I was not a typical college kid. I still love libraries and book stores, but I don’t hang out in them often enough. Looks like I need to make some solo dates to the library soon.
Let me tell you something I learned this past year from having an 11-year-old daughter: slumber parties have come a LONG way since the ’80s and ’90s.
Tents, twinkle lights, air mattresses, matching blankets, cozy pillows, personalized trays of goodies… Gone are the days of tossing a sleeping bag on the living room floor. 😂
I’m the first to admit it’s gotten a little over the top. But… I’m here for it.
After going to a few slumber parties that looked like walking into a Pinterest picture, my daughter asked for one of her own. So I put my Pinterest hat on and made the magic happen.
And I’m not going to lie… I loved the creative boost it gave me. Dreaming up the details and putting everything together was its own kind of play.
Plus, I had a very happy and grateful 11-year-old. That was the best part. ❤️
PS… Here is the link to the tents I bought. The price was pretty reasonable- it came with 4 tents, mattresses, blankets, trays, sleeping masks, and twinkle lights.
I recently ordered a lap desk, and it’s one of those purchases that has quickly found its way into my everyday life.
I use it for journaling, getting work done on my laptop, and planning out my day—all from the couch or my bed. It pairs perfectly with a comfy blanket. 😊
Sometimes, after a long day at work, I just don’t feel like sitting at a desk. But balancing a notebook or laptop on my lap isn’t quite cutting it either. This gives me the surface I need while letting me settle into a comfortable spot.
I’ve even been bringing it onto the porch so I can sit and work outside.
A small thing, but one that makes the things I’m already doing a little more enjoyable. And you know I’m always here for that.
Inspired by Elise Blaha Cripe, I’m making a little list of creative goals for this autumn. A few projects I want to finish, some corners of my home I want to give attention to, and something new I want to try.
Here’s my list:
Finish four cross-stitched Santa ornaments—one for each of my kids.
Complete the 100 drawings project I started in the spring.
Decorate the shelving in my living room and dining room.
Learn to work with air-dry clay.
Frame my completed cross-stitch projects.
Create and send out three happy mail giveaways.
I like having a mix of finishing, making, decorating, learning, and sharing a little happiness. These are things I’m excited to spend time on, even if it happens in little pockets between everything else.
But I’m giving myself some room here. This list is a guide to help me focus and give me something to work toward. I don’t need to check every box by the end of autumn.
And if something else sparks my interest along the way? I’m letting myself follow it. Just because it isn’t on the list doesn’t mean I can’t dive in. There’s room for a little unexpected creative adventure, too. 😊
What did you love doing before you started wondering whether you were good at it?
Drawing? Making friendship bracelets? Rearranging your room? Writing stories?
This weekend, give yourself a little time with one of those things. Use what you have, keep it simple, and see how it feels.
Thank you for being here, reading along, and supporting Creative Calm Studio. It means so much to me that you choose to make The Joy Edit a little part of your week. 🩷
If you enjoyed this issue, one of the best ways you can support my work is by sharing it with someone you think might enjoy it, too.
Just copy + paste this link: https://creativecalmstudio.com/p/the-joy-edit-vol-8
P.S. What’s one thing you’d love to make, finish, or try this autumn? 🍁 Hit reply and tell me—I’d love to hear.