Hello there my friend,

Well, I sat down to write this at 11am and it's now 3pm! Ha. That's what happens when you answer phone calls, do the wash, answer the door bell take the dog for a walk, and of course watch about 10 million youtube videos on what and how to pack a Scandinavian capsule wardrobe for summer of 2026, and also what and how to pack a travel art kit. :)

Also, here's what my desk looked like when I sat down.

I've been reading a lot this week, mostly in preparation for my summer travel. I finished 3 books: The Diary of Anne Frank, The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom, and the Life and Work Of Vincent Van Gough. I'm for sure ready to go to the Netherlands!

Plus I've fallen deeply for Substack (I know, another Social Media App!) but I'm justifying it because I'm heavily curating the people I subscribe to (subscribing is usually free -- kind of like following on Instagram), mostly artists and health experts, and in that way I'm able to curate what I read.

Here's my favorite sweet artist, based in the UK. It's a dream to see what she's up to and learn from her deep knowledge base. And here's my favorite Doctor, who writes the most interesting longevity articles and lets you read them for free!

As a side-note - Substack can be kind of strange to use, but if you click the link to see the people I'm talking about, you may get onto the home page which opens Substack, then go back to the link and try it again, and the correct page will open right up...kind of a hassle in this Amazon-immediate world, but it's worth it to see these darling ladies! :)

All this is to say, my mind has been full of travel plans, lots and lots of art, family experiences (Graham turned 19 yesterday!) musings on life choices, (had another blood test this week,) and considering how this life passes so quickly.

I'm sure your week is full of all your own layers of complexity. And I know it's probably moving just as quickly for you as it is for me.

So what are we to do? What are we to do to ensure that we are making the most of these (now more limited than they used to be) days?

If I may share with you advice I gave to my daughter...(it was requested by her since I've learned the futility of giving unsolicited advice! haha)...

Grab a notebook, a blank piece of copy paper, or just something to write on. Set your timer for 20 minutes. Then start writing about what you want your life to look like right now and for the next few months...not 10 years from now... but right now.

What would you want your life to be, so that on September 1st you can look back and say, "Wow! That was such a great summer!"?

If you're stuck on what to write - here are a few ideas to get you started...

--What do you enjoy doing?

--What makes you so happy, you don't want to stop doing it?

--What fills your cup so that when you stop doing it, you feel full, complete and replete?

--Who do you want to spend time with? And doing what?

--What skill do you want to improve on?

--What have you been afraid of doing and you're now like...OK, let's go do it now!

That should be enough to get you through 20 minutes.

Now take a look at what you just wrote down, and pick one thing you wrote about, and start doing it.

Or pat yourself on the back for already doing what you really want to be doing.

Because we just don't know how much time we have, do we?

Enjoy your weekend, and mabye make time for this powerful exercise.

And remember, I'm cheering you on to make this life one you're grateful and thankful to be living.

Love you,

Christy :)

P.S. I'm only taking a capsule wardrobe for my 4 weeks in Scandinavia. What does that look like you ask? Would you like to see what I'm packing and how I'm going for a whole month with just one carryon suitcase and a small backpack? (I'd like to know too! haha)...Seriously, I've been working on this for weeks, and I'd love to show you the results.

Maybe I could do a live walk-through on Instagram or Facebook (or Tiktok) or YouTube, when I'm packing up my suitcase. Would you watch?

If you would watch, just hit reply, and tell me Facebook or Instagram (or TikTok or YouTube). I'll go with the majority, and let you know when I'm going to do it. (Probably Saturday, May 30th sometime.)

P.P.S

Here's some art I've done this week in my sketchbook. I'm taking several different classes, plus copying some of my favorite instagram artists - not to copy, but to learn what it is I love about their styles. Plus I've started a daily practice (thanks to Adam Ming) where I take 10 minutes and draw 4 things about my life..."Yesterday, Working On, Coming Up and Thankful for" Today is day 5 of that, and I'm enjoying the practice. :) So here, in no particular order, are a few of my pieces. Do you have a favorite? xoxoxo

One last reminder....it's OK, in fact, it's GREAT to be a beginner!!! :) Love you.