Here are a few things that have caught my attention recently and a bit of what I’ve been up to! Lots of games and some scattered practices of creativity. We’re feeling the summer vibes and trying to soak up lots of sunshine!
Don’t be shy- feel free to chime in below with things you’ve been up to and appreciating these days as well!
Please note that some links below are affiliate links which means if you order something I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I try hard not to be spammy. If you have questions, check out my site policy or send me a note.
A Few Favorite Things <3
1. Is there anything better than sitting outside in the sunshine drinking lemonade? It’s one of my favorite simple pleasures right now. It’s pretty much as classic as it gets! I’d recommend carrying your current book outside (or grab a crossword puzzle book!) and giving it a try.
2. Looking for some reading recommendations? I’m currently reading Mister Impossible by Maggie Stiefvater, one of the sequels to the Raven Boys series (which I also loved). It is filled with Stiefvater’s trademark excellent use of language and creative imagery along with some imaginative worldbuilding. If you’re looking for some nonfiction, I’m also rereading Austin Kleon’s Steal Like An Artist which is always good for a little creative jumpstart!
3. We recently got this Cranium Zooreka game without knowing much about it and have been very pleasantly surprised! It’s a game our whole family can enjoy- there are lots of pictures so the youngest can follow along without needing to know how to read and there is enough strategy and excitement so that no one gets bored. Now we just have to decide whether our zoo should have sharks or naked mole rats… decisions, decisions…
As an added bonus, the game has been getting our kids excited about reading National Geographic to learn more about different animals! A visit to a local zoo may be in our future.
4. Soundtrack for the summer: I was recently recommended the band Khruangbin and it makes for some excellent background music. What’s your go-to music these days?
5. Summer wouldn’t be complete in our household without a camping trip so we’re gearing up and making plans! The classic favorite that never goes out of style is s’mores… give it a try with resees or some york peppermint patties for some added fun flavor! You can’t go wrong.
6. Here I am talking about lemonade and reading and sunshine and not so much about writing. And that’s intentional, actually. Summer is a chaotic time for my household and so it’s the perfect time for an intentional step-back from my usual work routines.
Taking a purposeful break from writing can actually be a really healthy thing. And often a period of rest can both prevent burnout but it can also provide inspiration and new openings for creative brainstorming.
In the fall I’ll be transitioning back into more structured writing routines but for now it’s a more play-based creativity season where I can fill my creative well, brainstorm future goals, and just enjoy the moment. That all sounds frivolous in a way but it’s actually vital and definitely deserves to be a favorite thing.
7. Writing Prompt: Write a few sentences (or more!) about one of these pictures below.
8. Creativity Play Prompt! Grab a pencil, pen, or whatever is nearby and draw something you can see around you. It doesn’t need to be any good at all- in fact there is a lot of value in bad art. So just mess around and have fun!
9. Self-Care Prompt: Name five things you’re thankful for today.
10. Writing Prompt: What one creative thing (big or small!) do you want to do this week?
Best of luck to you in your creative endeavors! And may you have chances to rest and play along the way 🙂
