I've been meaning to use this journal for more fun, mundane things. So, here's a list of things I've incorporated into my daily routine that really work for me and have helped make life a tad easier and calmer.

• After applying my skincare, I rub whatever is left on my hands onto my elbows. They've transformed from crusty and dry to absolutely baby-smooth!
• Invest in a water flosser, an electric toothbrush, and a tongue scraper. My dental routine's got almost as many steps as my skincare these days and my dentist is very pleased with me.
• Don't wear gel nails for too long. I adore the simplicity of a good gel manicure, but let me tell you, after a few months, my nails turn brittle and start snapping left and right. Now, I just go for regular manicures every once in a while and carve out an hour every (well, most, ish) Sunday to do my own nails.
• Get yourself an emotional support water bottle that turns hydration into a fun activity. I switch between a few favourites, but my current top pick is this baby right here.
• Pick up a no-screen hobby. I tend to hyper-focus on one hobby at a time. Right now, it's crafting miniatures from scratch. Before that, it was book-binding, and even before that, leather-work. Just step away from the screen. Your downtime shouldn't just mean switching to another tab.
• I'm not one to preach the no-screen-time-before-bed rule. You do you. I sometimes catch myself scrolling through Reddit way past my bedtime. We all know it's not the greatest habit. What has helped me switch to reading at night is keeping my current book on my pillow.
• Go schedule your annual checkups! Once a year, I take a moment to schedule all my checkups for the same week. I call it my medical week. I try to pack in multiple appointments each day — OB-GYN, ophthalmologist, dermatologist, dentist, internist, endocrinologist — you name it. Years ago, I even managed to squeeze five appointments into a single day.
• Speaking of checkups, get your blood tested at least annually. I make it a point to get a full blood panel at least three times a year — even before my Hashimoto's diagnosis. I often show deficiencies in iron, vitamin D, and B vitamins, to name a few, and I like to adjust my daily vitamin intake accordingly.
• And speaking of vitamins: Listen, if we're being honest, no one takes them daily. But try to stick to the 80:20 rule. Sure, some mornings I forget, or I just can't stomach anything other than my daily prescription meds. But I take them often enough to make sure my body gets everything it needs.
• Find yourself a comfort show — especially if you're dealing with anxiety or bouts of depression. For me, it's "The Good Place." Whenever I feel my mood starting to shift, I turn on that show and it makes me feel better — or at least somewhat safe.
• Try out ingredient prep. If you're anything like me, you might have tried meal prepping, but it hasn't worked for you. I just don't wanna eat the same thing for days. What I've been doing is prepping multiple ingredients on Sunday. I chop all my veggies, wash all my fruit, and whip up a few different dressings. I also like to cook a sheet pan of veggies, a grain, and a protein, which I can then mix and match into different meals throughout the week.

Have anything to add that makes your life easier and better? Let me know!

Well, hello Spring! March was a month of quiet contentment — no dramatic highs or crushing lows, just a steady sort of peace that I've come to appreciate.

Though, one thing has been on my mind a lot these days: death.. I know that sounds heavy for what was otherwise a lovely month, but hear me out. My grams celebrated her 91st birthday this March. She's still quite active and healthy for her age, but we're all too aware that our time with her is limited. And then there's Rufus. My goodest boy will turn nine this June and we had a little health scare earlier this month. He's fine, don't worry! But the signs of aging are there — a few grey hairs around his nose, a bit of a decline in energy. I hate the thought of navigating life without him, or my grams.

On another note, work has been steady — a lot of complex token work, long days writing documentation, and in general a lot of fun. I've also been drawing a lot, not just for my daily drawing project but also for other side-projects. More on that soon-ish.

some other things

• gotten back into running and just general working out. on average, i'm hitting about 50 minutes of exercise each day. and as always, yoga with adrienne remains my go-to favourite for workouts.
• managed to finish only two books in february. i attempted to juggle multiple books simultaneously and ended up feeling quite overwhelmed. as the month drew to a close, i opted to speed through two books quickly just to ensure i had at least some reading accomplished.
• started a 365 day drawing challenge and finished a whole month of daily drawings. hey, i'm really proud of myself!
• dani and i have kicked off a new tradition: monthly dinners to catch up. for our inaugural dinner, we actually opted for lunch at nook followed by a leisurely walk to soak up some sun rays.
• spent a whole lot of time with the kids in my flat complex. we were busy with easter diys, indulging in ice cream treats, and simply having a blast playing together.
• snagged tickets for the belle & sebastian concert in berlin this june! super excited to catch up with stef and enjoy the show.
• gotten into ingredient prep lately. typically, i prep a variety of salad toppings, whip up some homemade dressings, and roast a batch of veggies in the oven. it's made throwing dinner together so much easier.
• been pondering my future living situation quite a bit lately. on one hand, i'm reluctant to leave this flat complex, but on the other hand, i yearn for a larger flat with some outdoor space. i've set myself a timeline of a year to explore and find a new place that feels just right.
• researched a lot of sewing tutorials and patterns. clothes shopping has been somewhat of a nightmare lately. everything's over-priced polyester, super thin cotton and just overall poor quality. the idea of creating my own clothes has been brewing in my mind for years, and i'm seriously considering finally taking the plunge and starting this project.

march bookmarks

1. twilight | contrapoints
2. receipts. proof. timelines. screenshots: why we can't look away from rich people's drama
3. ora pinafore by soften studio
4. a utopian strand of economic thought is making a surprising comeback
5. what did people do before smartphones?
6. mood fabrics: free sewing patterns

It's 4pm on a Friday. Spring has erupted in a riot of colours, and an ice cream craving washes over me. I pop over to my neighbour's door, where she's caught up in a meeting and her kids are stifled by boredom. Seizing the opportunity, I take them out for an ice cream treat. En route, a playful squabble erupts over who has the honour of holding Rufus's leash. Today, they're treated to two scoops each instead of the usual one, because as an aunt I don't have to say no.

Upon our return, they dash into the community garden, mingling with other children from the building, their laughter melding with the afternoon air. I venture into another neighbour's flat, where we settle into their garden, drinking coffee and soaking up the first sun of the year. Later that afternoon, one of the kids knocks on my door to play MarioKart.

On Saturday, my neighbours from the garden, kindly offer me a lift to the supermarket. Together, we navigate the aisles, turning the chore into an adventure. Amidst the shelves, their son spots a toy he's drawn to. And I say yes, because as an aunt I don't have to say no. And he has a birthday coming up anyway. Post-shopping, we collectively decide to share a meal. The kitchen comes alive as we prepare protein oat pancakes, and their son sneaks fruits off the counter to share with Rufus. The day unfolds with us spending all our hours together, a welcome respite for the parents, still hungover from the previous night's festivities. Seizing the opportunity to give them a break, I take their son out for a leisurely walk. Our journey leads us to a children's store, where he selects a detective set, his excitement barely containable. We walk past a shoe store and he sees 'the coolest pair of sneakers in the world'. I knew he needs a new pair, so I buy it for him. Because as an aunt I don't have to say no.

We spend the afternoon in their garden. Rufus basks in the sun and chases the mouse that has claimed dominion over the space. We alternate between sips of coffee and lemonade, the day seamlessly transitioning into an evening where we come together to cook dinner. As we dine, bits and pieces of their meal are affectionately shared with Rufus. Their son declares me the best aunt on the planet, snuggling up beside me and Rufus — a significant leap from just a few weeks prior when he harboured fears of even touching the dog.

I return to my flat, a space that's become a repository of memories from all the children in my building whom I affectionately regard as my nieces and nephews. The front of my fridge is adorned with their artwork, inside there's always a cheese string or two, ready for when hunger strikes them. And nestled between the cushions of my couch, I find the occasional leftover snack package or two. Each detail serves as a testament to the unexpected family I've found within these walls.

On Sunday, I wake up and meet up with another neighbour and her dog. We venture to the dog park together, letting our pups run free while we catch up. Later, I find solace in a quiet lunch, accompanied only by the pages of a book, before the day transitions into an afternoon of coffee and conversation with yet another neighbour. Then, a text message arrives, an invitation from the garden neighbours, asking if I'd like to join them for a walk.

Despite never having been much of a people person, nor leaning towards extroversion, the discovery of this apartment building and the community within it has filled me with gratitude. On days when the shadow of depression looms near, I find solace and distraction within this network of support. Watching over their children, entrusting my dog to their care in my absence, spending sunny weekends together, the communal act of cooking and sharing meals, forges a bond that transcends mere neighbourliness.