1. write. paint. knit. create. busy your hands, away from the scroll.

2. experiment with a new way of making coffee, or lemonade, or tea, or your new signature drink.

3. walk the streets of downtown, buy yourself a notebook. sketch and write.

4. learn the names of the plants and trees and birds in your backyard.

5. make lists — of everything. of things you want, things you need, people you love, memories you hold onto.

6. text your friends. tell them about a memory, send photos, tell them how much they mean to you.

7. compile a new music playlist based on your mood.

8. go on a long walk. listen to the birds and the trees. or music or a podcast or a book (whatever your thing is).

9. book local concert tickets.

10. go out with the sole purpose of finding a book for someone special in your life. send it to them.

11. make an album of photos you want to print.

12. compile those printed photos in a scrapbook.

13. find a lake. lay there for a bit. go for a dip. watch the birds. relax and let time pass.

    Subscribe now

14. plan a trip you would love to go on. do it, or don’t. have fun planning and dreaming about it.

15. make a pinterest board to inspire this season of your life.

16. start a substack. write and share your first post.

17. go down research rabbit holes and learn something new.

18. gather flowers and press them between the pages of an old book.

19. go to the library with no plan. browse the cookbooks, local history, and arts sections.

20. buy a disposable camera and take it everywhere for a week.

21. sit somewhere beautiful and just people-watch. make up stories about the people walking by.

22. write a letter to someone you love. put it in an envelope with other things that make you think of them. mail it.

23. learn to identify a new constellation.

24. make a low-energy seasonal bucket list of things to experience.

25. rearrange your room. make your space feel like a new chapter.

26. make a collage from old magazine cutouts.

27. find the oldest building in your town and learn its history.

28. have a picnic in your backyard. include a yummy snack, a refreshing drink, and a book.

29. read the pages of your old journals.

30. go on a colour walk. pick one colour and see how many things you can spot in that colour. compare with a friend.

31. make some magnets out of air dry clay.

32. make a list of places within an hour of you that you’ve never been. starting visiting them all.

33. write a letter to yourself about this season of your life.

34. start a tiny notebook of noticings: words you overhear, questions you wonder about, moments you want to remember.

it doesn’t have to be hard, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. pick one or two things from this list and start there.

live the life you want to be living. make it easy. make it simple. make it fun.

go slowly, get a little bored. find something new and see what finds you.

if you liked this, you might like…

life, continuing on, in its beautiful and hilarious and sometimes terrifying way.

one day at a time, one hour at a time, one minute at a time

i try to take it all in.

there’s so much i have to write abo…

Read more

there’s nothing better than a weekend off-grid:

- waking to the crisp and peaceful stillness of a morning
- the crickets that sing you to sleep at night
- and the birdsongs to wake you in the morning
- the way time seems to linger on longer than in everyday life
- how coffee and meals seem to taste better when enjoyed outside
- the infinite greens you’re surrounded by

whether you’ve been camping before, or you’re completely new to it, let this be a simple guide to encourage you get back out there and enjoy nature this summer <3

PS this is a guide for front-country tent camping in managed parks. backpacking guide to come soon?

✜ ✜ in this post ✜ ✜

section one: questions to ask and answer before you go

section two: safety tips

section three: packing (the essentials)

before you go: ask yourself

✿ where would you like to go?

how far are you willing to drive? do you want to camp surrounded by trees? by a lake? a river? answering these questions first makes the rest of the planning easier. if you don’t already have a place in mind, a quick google search or tik tok scroll can help you discover the beautiful camping spots in your area.

beginner tips: deciding where to camp
- stick to campsites that have cell service and/or free wifi connection
- stick somewhere close to home so if the weather isn’t great or you’re feeling uncomfortable, it won’t be a long drive to get back home
- provincial parks are great beginner friendly places to camp because of their top tier amenities and services — the extra park fees are worth the peace of mind knowing someone is always around to help you with your questions (esp. if you’re camping solo)

what amenities are available?
Are there washrooms? Is there potable drinking water? Are there showers? Are there picnic tables? Is there a food storage locker? choose what’s important to you and make a decision based on that.

Does the campground require reservations?
Popular campsites can book up months in advance, especially on long weekends. Check reservation systems early and have a few backup options in mind.

✿ how long would you like the trip to last?

a weekend? a week? a long weekend?
I find 2-3 nights is a great length of time to scratch that camping itch. sometimes, if I just want to spend an evening and morning surrounded by nature, and one night is all i have available, I’ll go camp for one night!

beginner tips: deciding how long to camp
- if you’re a beginner — stick to 1-2 nights.
- long weekends tend to be busier. this can be nice to feel safer/less alone, but can sometimes take away from the quietness of camping.
- camping is a low cost hobby. that being said, different campsites have different nightly fees and camp services. keep that in mind!

✿ are there any restrictions to be aware of?

the key to a great camping trip is proper prep. make sure you’ve properly prepared for any surprises that may arise. check things like:
- what’s the weather like?
- are there any fire bans on?
- what kind of wildlife is nearby?

✿ staying safe: things to know ✿

- download maps or directions before leaving cell service.
- always tell someone where you’re camping and when you expect to return.
- bring a flashlight or headlamp (not just your phone).
- be bear aware! understand if there's active wildlife in the area and prepare accordingly. in some regions, especially in the Canadian backcountry, bear spray may be recommended or essential.

✿ packing: the essentials ✿

next, use your answers to the previous questions to guide your packing <3 here’s a list of what I generally pack, and the things I think about when packing:

Subscribe now

shelter:

option one: tent!! plus everything you need for a good night’s sleep. think: something to sleep on, something to keep warm, and any other essentials you can’t sleep without.

• tent (whatever you’ve got! I loved our north face wawona tent, but we’ve used cheaper tents as well as they get the job done!)

• sleeping bag (pay attention to the temperature rating, weather depending)

• pillow

• sleeping mat (or foam, or extra fluffy blanket to sleep on)

option two: your vehicle!! I have a small hatchback vehicle that I love to travel and camp in when I can’t be bothered to pack and set up a tent. If you’re going solo, this is perfect! it’s also great to feel safe and secure in a locked car.

ps: try to arrive with at least 1–2 hours of daylight remaining. setting up a tent for the first time in the dark is not fun.

food:

this will depend on what cooking tools you have to work with: a fire, a bbq, or a campstove. my favourite method is a fire but there are often fire bans which restricts this! in that case, I love premade sandwiches and meals that I can make in my MSR pocket rocket.

important note: understand how to safely store food and toiletries if camping in bear country. (not in your tent! use bear proof bear storage — often provided at popular parks)

water:

always pack more water than you expect to use: drinking water, water to boil for meals/tea/coffee, water for minimal cleaning tasks (ps, many parks offer clean drinking water — take note if this is an important necessity or if you can just pack what you need)

clothing:

pack for your desired activities! hiking, swimming, or just lounging about. pack one warmer layer than you think you’ll need. evenings and mornings are often much colder than expected.

also make sure to pack dedicated pair of clothes you can change into after the day’s activities — it’s the best to feel clean and cozy before crawling into bed for the night.

other must haves:

• water bottle

• headlamp or flashlight

• first aid kit

• phone charger/power bank

• toiletries

• camp chair

• garbage bag

• cooking gear

• bug spray

• sunscreen

✿ always remember to leave no trace! ✿

✿ leave your campsite better than you found it

pack out all garbage, respect wildlife, and leave natural spaces for the next camper to enjoy.

Share

your first camping trip doesn’t have to be perfect. maybe it rains, maybe you forget something, maybe you don’t sleep particularly well. Every camper has those stories.

but remember!! the goal isn’t perfection — it’s getting outside and learning what works for you.

for more tips and tricks, check out this comment section on a recent note:

is there anything I missed? let me know in the comments!

Leave a comment

in this post, I’m exploring what creativity really means to me, the anxiety I feel when I’m not creating, the blocks that get in the way, and the ideas, books, and podcasts that help me find my way back.

for as long as I can remember, creativity has been a valued part of my life. it’s what brings me the most energy, excitement and joy.

creating — in so many different forms — is what I want to be doing in my free time. I dream of projects to get started on once I get home from work, small ideas that grow and expand into bright creative bursts that light me up from the inside out.

but I’m also a creative who doesn’t create enough — my creativity is all-too-often accompanied by self-doubt, impatience, and restlessness.

too many of my best ideas were never brought to life because I didn’t do the work it took to create them. and I want to change that.

Subscribe now

read on for a listen of common creative blocks I’ve encountered, and the medicine I use to move through them.

✿ problem: you’re putting too much pressure on your creative work

sometimes, when I sit down to create I’m full of ideas and they seem effortless to bring to life. other times, I’m at a loss and anything I put on the page feels ugly and like a waste of time. more often not, I’m too focused on the outcome of my creativity. I want every page in my sketchbook to be a perfect, polished work of art. My heart knows that’s not possible — and is so far from the fully expressed creativity I’m after. Being too careful with my creations robs me of my best work.

✿ solution: change the goal post and prioritize play

instead of striving for a polished work of art every single time, create new goals for yourself. these goals could be:

create a scene using different shades of the same colour, limit yourself to 10 minutes per page, fill the page with words and sketches by documenting the world around you, make only swatches of colours and see if that inspires anything further.

prioritize play, not perfection. create with an open mind, so much care and kind thoughts. See how your creativity forms the path without you having to force every step of the way.

key takeaway: pressure takes the fun out of creating. the remedy is to let yourself have fun again and give yourself permission to make bad art.

✿ problem: creativity isn’t a habit in your life

sometimes, too much time passes before we realize we haven’t been creating anything. for me, it’s usually when life starts to gray and my days feel insignificant that I realize I’ve packed my watercolours away

✿ solution: make creative play part of your routine

some people think that creativity can’t be constrained or consistent. but I’d argue that sitting down at a consistent time everyday — to make and play and experiment and try new things — is a gorgeous way to grow our creative practice. when we practice, we get better. if we relied only on inspiration to get us to sit down at our desk and make our art, we’d be waiting instead of creating.

key takeaway: creativity doesn’t have to be reserved for the great moments of inspiration. build trust, consistency, and confidence by showing up to create something small everyday.

consider establishing a consistent framework around your creative process. it is often the case that the more set in your personal regimen, the more freedom you have within that structure to express yourself.

discipline and freedom seem like opposites. in reality, they are partners. discipline is not a lack of freedom, it is a harmonious relationship with time. managing your schedule and daily habits well is a necessary component to free up the practical and creative capacity to make great art.

- rick rubin, in the creative act

✿ problem: you’re distracting yourself from the creative work you need to put in

there’s always a million other things to get done before we allow ourselves the time to be creative. cleaning, shopping, scrolling social media — we let distractions take up all our time until there’s not enough left for creativity.

✿ solution: redirect your attention

step one: notice your distractions. notice your rising screen time levels, how you’ll do anything to avoid boredom, how something other than art always seems to sit at the top of your priority list.

step two: ease the tension and open the invitation. make screen time limits, do nothing when you’re bored, leave the paints out on the table. make your barrier to entry for creative play more open and inviting.

key takeaway: if we’re not careful, distractions can eat away at our creative time. notice when this happens and do what you can to redirect your attention

✿ problem: you feel silly for taking your creativity seriously

sometimes I feel like I’m the only person in my life who values creativity. too many people brush off their creativity, not believing they have any sort of creative skill within them at all. It’s vulnerable to call yourself a creative person — usually that comes along with expectations of proof to validate that label.

✿ solution: surround yourself with artists and creatives of all kind

once you start looking for creative people — you begin to notice them everywhere. and once you start noticing them, you can talk to them, share with them and learn from them.

and eventually, sharing can become part of the art-making process. other people notice patterns you can’t see, ask questions you wouldn’t have asked, or reflect back what’s strongest in the work. Even criticism can be useful once your relationship to the work is sturdy enough that it doesn’t shake your confidence.

but maybe we’re all be creatives in our own way and we can learn and grow alongside eachother.

key takeaway: surrounding yourself with artists enriches your creative life with inspiration, new perspectives, and tools for growth. seek out creative people and don’t be afraid to talk about art.

that’s all for this ‘down to earth’ post. thanks for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts and insights on this topic, so please share your comments below.

Leave a comment

if you liked this, you might like…

Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? — Mary Oliver

Every now and then, I get the urge to go completely offline. To spend time outside, read, walk, notice birds and trees. To let time move slower instead of wasting it on the scroll.

I’m still figuring out the balance between being on and offline. I don’t always get it right—but when I’m conscious of how much of my time I’m spending on the scroll, and I actively work at lowering those screen time hours, my days feel a little slower, a little fuller, a little more present and a lot more my own.

here are a few things I do that make me forget I own a phone:

✿ put my phone on do not disturb every weekend. and tucking it away out of sight for a bit. this simple switch helps break up the time between phone pick-ups and helps me avoid the notification trap. when I text people, it’s intentional — not habitual.

✿ delete all social media apps and other screen time temptations for a whole month! I did this in August of last year (read: my offline august), and I’m currently doing it again for April. not going to lie, sometimes I get fomo when people talk about the things they saw on tik-tok, but it passes so quickly and if it’s especially noteworthy I can just go learn more about it myself

✿ notice when I’m reaching for my phone in the in-between moments everyday. This happens mostly when I’m procrastinating or waiting for something. Then I ask myself — is there something else I could be doing instead?

• for a study break, colour for 5 minutes instead of scroll

• while waiting in line at the grocery, maybe people watch and look for inspiration around me

• spending lunch breaks at work knitting while listening to an audio book

✿ plan a couple weekend (or longer) camping trips every year. put away the phone while you’re on these trips. go off-grid. be present with the trees and the river and the sun. bring a book to read, or a puzzle book to work at. use your phone to take photos if you have to — but that’s it.

✿ prioritize my creativity again. leave the watercolours out for easy access, print photos for new scrapbook pages, do something (anything) to play in flow state for a time. make it easy and fun again.

✿ block my time. put away your phone for 3-4 hours (or longer). see what you get up to.

✿ letting myself feel bored again. I often forget that boredom leads to my best idea and most productive flow states. don’t run from boredom. allow it to meet you where you are, and see where it leads you.

Share

if you like this, you might like these:

That’s all for this one! A short and sweet little cutie postcard.

How are you spending your time offline? Let me know in the comments <3

Leave a comment

Share Down to Earth

Yeah, I know. The term almost feels made up — what even is a journal ecosystem?

When I first heard the term, I was skeptical, thinking it was just a new phrase for the chronically online over-consumers. Until I realized I actually have my own journal ecosystem, and I’ve been tweaking and perfecting it for years.

However, I think the term captures the everyday mess and lifecycle of planning and note taking and learning and creating and living through writing and documentation.

Subscribe now

Journaling as a process that’s alive. As a practice that’s living and breathing and evolving alongside you.

(I feel like this could be it’s own section in my post: how to become your version of cool girl)

I think we all have our own version of a journal ecosystem. And they kind of become what they need to be for us. Sometimes messy, always changing, somewhat organized, and hopefully cute too?

What’s your journal/notebook setup like? I’m so curious!

Leave a comment

I’ve been journaling since before I turned 10, and as I’ve grown my journaling process has too. Here’s a glimpse into my journal evolution:

2010 ✿ At the very beginning and for the first 10 or so years, I was just using whatever journals I had been gifted or maybe purchased from the dollar store. Mostly ruled for even writing but at about twelve I was gifted a blank paged A4 sketchbook and I cherished it.

2020 ✿ I stumbled into a Stationery store and picked up a blank page Midori notebook and realized what I’d been missing in terms of paper quality. I loved this one! But it only came in white and I was missing some colour.

2021 ✿ I found and fell in love with Leuchtturm’s classic notebook and their colours. I proceeded to buy these for the next 5 years, always gravitating towards the blank pages for my preferred use <3 They make for a cool notebook stack.

2024 ✿ I found and fell in love with the system of Traveler’s Notebook and soon purchased from my fave local stationery store, Soul Paper.

I think I’ve finally found a consistent system that works for me — using both Leuchtturm and TN notebooks.

Why Leuchtturm?

• I love their blank pages

• The coloured covers are so cute

• Getting them consistently over the years makes for a cute journal collection

• Back cover folders for loose paper clippings and souvenirs

Why Traveler’s Notebook?

• I love the customizable setup

• Adding charms makes your journal look cute as hell

• Cheap repurchasing of inserts

• One notebook for one subject (can mix and match in the leather cover)

• it’s so quick and satisfying to complete a notebook insert!

my current setup:

It’s taken me a while to figure out the notebook/journaling system that works for me, and I trust it will evolve and change even more as time goes on.

But I LOVE my current setup, so I’m going to share it with you for inspiration. I’d absolutely love to see / hear about yours, too.

Here’s my stack:

✿ traveler’s notebook: rotation of four inserts: weekly/monthly planner, miscellaneous notes, knitting journal, and recipe book

✿ Leuchtturm personal journal: more diary-like, documenting daily life, long journaling sessions, travels, epiphanies, brain-dump rants, etc

✿ Hilroy A5 ruled notebook for school and related notes

✿ mini 4x4 sketchbook for creative scribbles and sketches

Here’s my extras:

✿ Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen. The way this writes is a dream. Perfect for scribbling notes and brainstorm doodling.

✿ Sharpie Brand S-Gel pen. My favourite pen to have lying around.

That’s it! It’s simple and adaptable, and ensures I don’t have too many notebooks lying around.

my traveler’s notebook setup:

I have an insert for miscellaneous notes, one for my monthly/weekly calendar, one for recipes, and one for knitting project notes. I like to interchange which ones I’m carrying around in the leather cover — I love that flexibility of TN!

the recipe book:

the miscellaneous notebook:

the weekly/monthly planner:

past setups:

If you liked this, you might like:

I hope you enjoyed this week’s cozy post about my current notebook ecosystem.

Catch ya in the next one!

Subscribe now

Share

51 low-energy things to do after work when you work a 9-5

1. bring a book to a cafe and read

2. write a letter and the next day send it to a loved one

3. gather a few flowers and press them

4. make music playlists based on moods/seasons

5. build a terrarium

6. paint by number

7. adult colouring book

8. start a quote and/or poetry notebook

9. create a pinterest mood board for the next season of your life

10. make a zine

11. collage with old magazines

12. sit in a park and people watch

13. start dog walking

14. learn to identify a few local plants

15. learn to identify a few local birds

16. document and identify the birds you see in the MerlinID app

17. make a simple self-care ritual that brings your peace every night

18. see how many sunsets/sunrises you can catch in a month

19. start a gratitude journal

20. write a letter to yourself and open it in a year

21. do puzzles

22. watch old films. blog about them

23. kayak

24. paddleboard

25. go fishing (catch & release!)

26. write in your journal

27. illustrate/doodle

28. start a collection

29. walk/hike

30. jog/run

31. thrift store shop for unique home decor

32. beachcomb and keep the cool things you find

33. go to a new cafe

34. browse the cook book section of the library

35. go to a used book store and pick up something interesting

36. learn a solo card game

37. start attending weekly pilates/hot yoga/cycling

38. try being a beginner at something new

39. knit while watching a movie or listening to an audiobook

40. get to know your favourite recipe so well it becomes a mindless go to

41. experiment with mixing new cocktails or mocktails

42. make a ‘life lately’ scrapbook page

43. rewatch a favourite film and take notes about why you love it

44. create your own creative retreat and choose a weekend to bring it to life

45. pick a random topic and go down a research rabbit hole

46. print out your favourite substack articles and save them in a decorated binder

47. organize a small part of your space

48. take a different route to work and notice what’s new

49. jot a few lines about your day, every day

50. explore a new part of your neighbourhood

51. check out the free libraries in your area. pick up new books and drop some off.

“I have always been caught by the pull of the unremarkable, by the easily missed, infinitely nourishing beauty of the mundane.” - Tana French, Broken Harbour

If you liked this, you might like:

That’s all for this one, thanks for being here <3

I’ve read 9 so far. And that’s a lot for me! — based on my past average of like maybe 1 a month?

I’m mostly listening to audiobooks on my commutes and evening walks, but sometimes I reach for the paperbacks too, often pairing them with long reading sessions on lazy afternoons. I’m also in school, work at a library, and somehow have made myself a part of 3 book clubs!

At the moment, my life consists of words and writing and reading and books and more books. I’m at a very bookish point of my life.

What have you been reading?

Leave a comment

Subscribe now

If you like bookish content, you might like these other posts by me:

Okay if you’re still here, and without further ado —

Here’s what I’ve been reading recently:

(plus some ratings and thoughts)

Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy

★★★★☆

Reading this in the dead of winter was honestly great timing on my part. That’s the mood of this novel. Something is always looming behind the scenes; something always off, never just right. Kind of similar to how wolves lurk and stalk their prey? Maybe? Needless to say, I enjoyed this one!

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

★★★★★

My first 5 star read in a while! This book reminded me why I read. I read to get sucked into another life, to experience characters in places I could have never imagined on my own. To feel things, to remember love and loss and grief. And this book brought up all of that for me. Though it was dark in subject and in style, it actually left me with a newfound gratitude and appreciation for my life — and we love when books do that <3

The People We Keep by Allison Larkin

★★★★☆

This one was just cute the whole way through. I enjoyed the overall message of the idea that “maybe the real gift was the friends we made along the way”, but some parts left me confused and a little bored. Sorry! Still cute though.

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

★★☆☆☆

I’m trying to be more honest with my ratings but this one really bore the brunt of that and I’m not sure I agree with my past self anymore! Maybe I would have appreciated it more 5 years ago, but at this point the idea of a robot companion seems just a bit overdone. That being said, I was just thinking about this book the other day. So it’s got some appeal! New rating: ★★★☆☆

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

★★★☆☆

Okay this one I read for a library book club, so it was not top on my tbr list, and honestly not that memorable so I’m just going to leave it here. The most interesting part about this one is that it was published in 2008 so it was weird to read almost 20 years later! New rating: ★★☆☆☆

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

No rating because I think it’s a memoir of sorts and I don’t like to rate those!

Just awe. Reading this at the same time as watching Heated Rivalry was a strange dichotomy but also kind of worked??

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry

★★★★☆

Read for another book club and was overall a delight to read :) made me think about the experience of reading and choosing which books to read and why we make the choices we do. Loved it!

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

★★★★☆

I just finished this one so my thoughts are still forming but overall I liked it and found myself relating to the characters in different ways. Picked it because of the author and the cover because look at it <3 The portrait of Maeve.

Currently reading:

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

My boyfriend just finished this, and some library patrons have recommended it to me as well. Hope to finish and then see the movie in theatres. Love a book to movie experience!

The History of Information by Chris Haughton

This is actually a young adult textbook so it’s a great basic to read alongside my coursework which covers similar topics. Plus the illustrations are lovely to look at.

What the book clubs are reading:

Have you read any of these? What books have you been into or wanting to read lately?

The coolest version of myself always seems to exist about two or three years before who I am right now.

Time softens everything. It freshens my perspective and helps me forget the insecurities I carried back then. I don’t see my soft tummy, my crying eyes, my limited bank account, or my lost sense of direction.

Instead, I see a girl who lives in the momen…

Read more

this is another post from our ongoing series, notes from offline. my intention for this post is to bring a little bit of inspiration and excitement for your offline life.

this post is split into three parts

1. why create an offline curriculum

2. creating your course schedule

3. outlining your course syllabus(es)

grab a notebook, something hot to sip on, and scroll slowly. let’s get into it!

why create an offline curriculum?

Everyone loves to say that taking time offline is important — but why?

Is it just a trendy thing to say right now? Do we all feel doomed and overwhelmed with the endless scroll? Do we want to regain our sense of identity after losing it to constant exposure and influence from others online?

For me, The biggest reason for taking time offline is to go inward and remember what actually lights me up. Not the latest trending outfit, home decor, or painting style that I see online everywhere, but what feels most like me. I go offline every now and then so that my own authentic taste can develop without outside influence.

The constant scroll dilutes our best creative impulses. It turns inspiration into overwhelm. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want that.

I know I’ve spent too much time online lately when I have a million ideas and no real direction or motivation to begin. Time offline brings clarity into my life about how I want to go forward creatively. It forces me to put time into my creative hobbies and not the scroll.

Read more

read on to enjoy some photos of a gorgeous place, and the places we went. It’s an easy, enjoyable read.

grab a hot cup of something you love, scroll slowly, and enjoy <3

in september I went on my first ever backpacking trip — the Rockwall Trail in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia. myself, along with two good friends Payton and Rheagan, spent five days hiking and exploring the beautiful backcountry.

Subscribe now

we hiked kilometers and kilometers everyday, through golden larch forests and past icy blue glaciers. after making it to camp and setting up our spot for the night, we played Dutch Blitz, made supper, gathered water from the glacier fed rivers, and sipped hot chocolate to warm our aching muscles.

the abundance of berries was so lovely! handfuls of huckleberries, blueberries, strawberries, and saskatoon berries kept us full and fueled as we trudged up and over the mountains.

if you’re embarking on a backpacking trip and you need some cozy gear recommendations, let me know. I mostly fell in love with my sleeping bag — I almost just want to book another backpacking trip just to be able to use it again! I stayed so cozy on the chilly autumn nights. also loved my backpack and the water system I used.

Leave a comment

from the scrapbook: “when I look back on this trip (now one month later), my heart fills with lovely, slow, and sweet memories. Each step, some with friends and some alone, was something to work for — and something to work towards?”

My favourite moments were the ones at camp. Slowly making supper or a hot cup of something to sip on while we chatted about the next day’s events.

One of the coolest things about this hike was noticing how the trees changed as we reached higher altitudes. The larches were abundant and flowers resembling The Lorax’s truffula trees could be seen at every step (called pasqueflower seedheads, but I nicknamed them ‘fluffulas’).

Subscribe now

our last campsite rewarding us with incredible glacier lake views (which we swam in while the sun was still up after the day’s hike). we spent our last few off grid hours journaling, sketching, drinking hot chocolate and playing cards. our bodies were sore but our hearts were full.

that’s all for this one, thanks for being here <3 have you been on any backcountry trips recently? do you have any planned for 2026? let me know in the comments :) I’m so keen to hear.

Leave a comment

Share

If you liked this, you might like:

my knitting vlog

a recent favourite

some analogue favourites <3

my offline august

I love an opportunity to reinvent myself. A new years resolution, a thorough deep dive into “the artist’s way” or a move across the country — I crave new beginnings.

Each new beginning starts a new chapter in my life. I define these chapters by completely immersing myself in whatever I’m interested in at that moment. I’m 25 now, and I spent the first 5 …

Read more

When did it pick up? Around 2020? We saw it on our screens constantly (ironically), the desire to slow down in this crazy fast-paced world. Promises that to live a happier, more content and present life — you must slow down and be more intentional.

I bought it.

Maybe you did, too.

And I’m still living it, as often as I can.

I’ll admit, though, I have to remind myself to slow down again and again. For me, it’s not always the aesthetic afternoons baking sourdough by candlelight, or the evening baths spent reading an old romantic classic. Often, it’s catching myself in a racing heartbeat or shallow breaths. It’s putting my hand on my heart and taking three deep, present breaths. It’s reminding myself that these insignificant moments I’m trying to rush through are actually more significant than I’m giving them credit for.

What slow living actually looks like:

Read more

I’ll be sharing my current favourites — products and practices I’ve been reaching for when I want a boost of creativity, presence, and joy.

Grab a cup of something to sip on, scroll slowly, and enjoy <3

Read more

from my reading journal

I’m really enjoying this book so far. I’ve been reading it slowly, listening to it as I knit in my mornings. It makes me want to wander. To get outside. To put my bare feet on the earth, and to say hello to the deer that occasionally wander past my house. It’s a gentle read and I like that.

✿ Favourite quote: Our hands imbibe like…

Read more

✿ Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working. — Pablo Picasso

Read more

maybe that’s because so much of our lives are spent online. stuck in the never-ending scroll of updates, inspiration, comparison, and busyness — keeping us distracted, entertained, and busy. trapped in all the clutter!!!

that’s how it is a lot of the time for me. I spend so much of my time online — sourcing inspiration, searching up how-to guides, browsing marketplace, texting friends, scrolling mindlessly. I have maxed out storage in my photos app, a problem that constantly needs refining.

I love the internet. I love learning and entertainment and finding answers to questions immediately. I love listening to music and watching movies and shows and watching youtube and tiktok trends! I love being plugged in to online life.

BUT because of that, I make sure I’m spending some of it offline, as well. dedicated blocks of time without music, podcasts, or tv shows playing in the background. afternoons spent painting, writing, dancing knitting instead of scrolling. alive, present, and in the flow.

I think I’ll always be searching to find the perfect offline/online balance.

so in today’s post off our offline autumn series, we’ll take a step towards that balance by decluttering our online spaces.

step one: keep it realistic.

set some simple goals outlining three specific things you want to do to declutter your online spaces.

this could be:

• go through social media(s) and rework my feed and following

• find photo archiving structure that works

• organize notes/notion pages

• spend 45 minutes going through email inbox, unsubscribing, or anything else necessary for you

step two: set an intention.

write out your why, give yourself a reason, or just come up with a word that reminds you what you’re doing here.

step three: romanticize the process.

• pour a class of wine and go through the camera roll, deleting anything you won’t actually care about in the next 15 years. save/favourite the ones you LOVE and want to get printed

Read more

Welcome to our Autumn Book Club. Thank you for being here!

This fall, we’re reading Lyanda Haupt’s Rooted together — slowly, intentionally, and in tune with the beauty of nature that inspires us.

Subscribe now

“Our hands imbibe like roots, so I place them on what is beautiful in the world.”

— Francis of Assisi, quoted on the first page in Rooted

Read more

I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. — L.M. Montgomery, “Anne of Green Gables”

It looked like the world was covered in a cobbler crust of brown sugar and cinnamon. — Sarah Addison Allen, “First Frost”

I think I’m in love with the season of autumn.

There’s nothing better than the smell of freshly fallen leaves, sweetened with the early morning dew that coats them.

Sunday mornings, curled up with a hot drink, a good book, and a knitting project to work on. Sunday afternoons, baking in a warm, candlelit kitchen while the gloomy skies colour the outside a dark blue. Weekend dates at the apple orchard, wrapped up in scarfs, mitts and toques to counter that autumn chill.

I think I’m in love with autumn.

autumn is…

- being cozy inside with the skies grow gloomy out the window

- mountains covered in reds yellows and oranges

- crisp, foggy mornings and sunny afternoons

- a hike in the woods to crunch the freshly fallen leaves

- pumpkin spiced lattes and hot apple cider

- frolicking in apple orchards

- sharing home baked goods with loved ones

- vintage music playing in the background

- slow, cozy mornings

- long chats with loved ones

Subscribe now

The coziness that comes along with this season is unlike any other, and every year I get excited to experience it all over again. Every year, I make plans to do some cozy fall camping, to visit a farm and pick apples, to make homemade cinnamon buns and canned peaches.

but autumn was made to be offline. the seasonal aesthetic is forgotten as soon as we pick up our phones. opting for empty stimulation rather than projects and rituals that emphasize autumnal themes of slowness, warmth, nourishment.

And so, in our first edition of my new series, notes from offline, I’ll be sharing what an offline autumn looks like for me (a cozy girl) and how you (a fellow cozy person) can embrace the slow, cozy season without your phone.

Subscribe now

notes from offline: cozy girl’s guide to an offline autumn is for paying subscribers only.

don’t want to become a paying subscriber but want to enjoy your own offline autumn? download my notion template to get access to weekly journal prompts and cozy homework ideas and follow along the series

little threads to weave into your autumn rituals

slow-brew your morning coffee

bake cinnamon rolls and have old fashioned music playing

Read more

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. — Ralph Waldo Emerson

The season of autumn is a delight to the senses. We watch in awe as the trees change from green to yellow, orange, and red. We take deep breathes in to experience the sweet scent of dew covered leaves and the crisp air of a late September morning. We love the taste of pumpkin and cinnamon, or hearty soups that warm us from the inside out.

It’s easy to notice the beauty of an ordinary autumn day.

It’s easy to notice, that is, if you’re paying attention.

This summer, I found myself draining both time and energy as a result of spending too much time on my phone. I scrolled as I sipped my morning coffee, and picked it up first thing after a long shift at work. I spent too much of my summer inside; stuck in a digital world and so far removed from the beauty that existed outside.

When I noticed this, I made a point to do something about it. At the beginning of August, I deleted most apps from my phone, and set guidelines for myself so I’d actually spend more time offline. (Read: my offline august.) It was challenging, and there were many mindless moments where I’d reach to scroll, but I learned a lot.

I learned how to use boredom to fuel my creativity, how to be okay with missing out, and how to love a slower life. And it wasn’t that hard. All it took was a few intentional moments to reconsider how I wanted to spend my days.

I have much more to learn going forward, and so I’m going to do so alongside you here in a new series I’m calling notes from offline.

This is the autumn edition.

notes from offline: what to expect

Notes from offline is a new ‘down to earth’ mini series outlining cozy ways to live a life more offline. I plan to release these seasonally, so right now we are in our offline autumn.

Throughout the series, you’ll receive personal essays from research I’ve done relation to living a more offline life. In addition, you’ll also receive weekly inspiration, journal prompts, and homework ideas to guide your offline autumn.

✿ Paid: full access ‘notes from offline’ posts, accompanying notion template(s), reflective journal prompts, and visual guides to make offline living easier and more enjoyable.

✿ Free: preview posts and the option to purchase the notion template.

Subscribe now

Let’s have a cozy autumn full of more Sundays baking, mornings writing, weekends cozy camping, evenings journaling and less time scrolling!

Free subscribers, purchase the notion template, here!

Or click this link: https://downtoearthstudio.gumroad.com/l/obawq

Read more