Everyday Snaps
Four images into one to represent the post title “Everyday Snaps.”
Editor’s note: This post will continue to evolve as I do.
Hey there, glad you’re here. After all the deep dives lately, I thought we could take a lighter walk together through some everyday stories and quirks that make up who I am right now from the small habits, the fun quirks, and the ways I see the world.
And just to be clear, I don’t share to be fully known. I share to be real. We all make mistakes, feel losses, and wrestle with emotions we’d rather avoid. Putting words to those moments is less about the issues themselves and more about the lessons within them. For instance, how to listen, how to comfort, and how to sit with what’s uncomfortable instead of trying to fix it.
With that in mind, today’s post is lighter. More like a casual storybook of everyday snapshots that shape me.
A few years ago, I started incorporating walking into my lifestyle, but it wasn’t until 2024 that it became a daily commitment. At first, it was easy to romanticize by catching the sunrise, returning home to shower, making breakfast, and sometimes even fitting in a workout before the day really began. But commitment has a way of testing you. For me, that meant waking up early and stepping out whether it was raining, snowing, or sticky with humidity. Some mornings I fought the urge to crawl back into bed, other evenings I rushed finishing in the dark. It wasn’t always comfortable, but that was the point. I learned that keeping a promise to myself mattered more than the weather or the clock. And on the days I had company, it was even better. Walking with people who mean something to me made the time feel like camaraderie stitched into each step. Out in nature, I don’t just move, I reset.
Walking grounded me, but other small routines shape my days too. After all, it’s the simple choices that say a lot about where I find comfort.
For instance, these days, I’ve pretty much curbed my coffee habit. I’d still enjoy a hot cup now and then, but it’s no longer a need, more of a passing want. Maybe it’s because iced coffee always like too sweet for me (unless it’s one of those ice cream coffee mixes, in which case all bets are off). Or maybe it’s because I never learned the art of customizing coffee beyond the “basic” options. Either way, tea has stepping into its place. Hot, iced, or my personal favorite of room temperature, is not fancy. It’s not flashy. It’s just simple. And sometimes simple is enough.
Speaking of comfort. Food has its own way of grounding me too.
If there’s one food I could have for the rest of my life without getting tired of it, it would be sushi. I started off with veggie rolls, but salmon quickly won me over. From there, I added tuna and shrimp to my list of favorites. My latest obsession? Wasabi. The kind of kick that makes you wonder why you ever hesitated. Though I’ll warn you, start small and mix it with soy sauce unless you’re prepared for a fiery surprise. Sushi has a way of being both comforting and adventurous, which is probably why I keep coming back to it.
While some comforts are found in food, others are in the things we carry with us at home.
On my wall hangs a dreamcatcher, a gift I received. As someone who experiences their fair share of dreams, it felt thoughtful. Growing up, there was a dreamcatcher in my house too. It was always a quiet reminder that negative dreams could be caught and kept away. This one feels like a continuation of that reminder, a small object carrying meaning far bigger than its size.
And then there are spaces where comfort shifts into creativity. Where ideas sneak in uninvited and remain me that inspiration doesn’t follow a schedule.
My best ideas oftentimes sneak up on me when I’m not even trying. And in a sarcastic tone, I’ll be mid-shampoo in the shower where I’ll suddenly think I’ve solved the world’s problems with a thought I can’t write down. Other times, inspiration sparks while I’m out wandering or when music plays in my headphones (you know the ones with strings on them?). On the rare chance, the song makes is beautifully composed, I’ll play it on repeat as I use use it to craft a piece of art. But more times than not, I create in silence. Peace and quiet, is one of my favorite pastimes. It’s made even better without the use of technology.
As for once the idea is there, the real test begins. What do I do with it?
When it comes to starting projects, I usually begin with a vision in mind. At least a rough sketch of how I think it should go. But creativity rarely follows a straight path. Sometimes the mood shifts, or the idea doesn’t pan out the way I envisioned it. If that occurs, I lets the ideas flow and evolve elsewhere. It’s part structure, part surrender. And more often than not, the surprises end up being better than what I originally imagined.
Of course, inspiration isn’t only tied to the canvas or desk. Sometimes it comes from the places I’ve been, and the places I still want to return to.
One place that I’d love to return to someday is Yellowstone National Park. It stole my heart the first time I visited from the wildlife roaming free to the geysers bubbling in bursts of color, and finally the hiking potential. I fell in love with it then and I’ve wanted to go back ever since. Another place I’d love to go is the Bahamas. It’s a place that carries a quieter pull. One that is tied to my story for longer than I can remember. And because of that, I’ve always wanted to experience it for myself.
And while I enjoy traveling in the United States as I’ve never been abroad, I’ve also noticed how my preferences have shifted over the years.
If you’d asked me a few years ago whether I preferred mountains, oceans, or cities, I would’ve said mountains without hesitation. I love hiking and the views at the end. But camping? That I could skip. The, there’s the ocean and while it’s stunning, it’s sheer size and magnitude feels overwhelming. It’s like standing at the edge of forever as the water goes as far as the eyes can see. These days, I lean toward cities. I like the rhythm of walking everywhere, even if it means hauling groceries several blocks like some kind of unintended workout program.
The funny thing about wandering, though, is that it doesn’t always go as planned.
I’ve learned that I'm more likely to get lost on foot than in the car. Make it make sense? My best guess, though, is that one turn becomes two, and suddenly I’m on a street I hadn’t heard of before. It’s equal parts frustrating and funny. But from what I’ve experienced, the detours often make the best stories. And I have no problem laughing at myself, no matter how much time has passed. After all, my favorite way to communicate and share my love and appreciation is through inside jokes. Iykyk.
Now when I’m in the comfort of my own home, it’s often the little routines that bring me the most comfort. Even the ones that seem a little unconventional from the outside.
For example, when it comes to my comfort shows, I don’t usually start at the beginning. Instead, I go straight to the last episodes of TVD or The Originals. There’s just something about those endings that gets me every time. They’re sentimental and beautifully crafted from the way everything comes together to the emotions tied up in goodbyes. It makes them the perfect place I return to when I need familiarity or closure. A little different, maybe. A guilty pleasure, potentially. But for me, it’s a nice reset.
And while comfort has its place, I’ve also found that the way I approach life often lands somewhere between structure and instinct.
I’ve always believed planning matters most as it gives me something steady to lean on. But I’ve also learned to trust my intuition. Sometimes a gut feeling is the only compass you need. As for luck, I think fortunate circumstances happen, but I wouldn’t personally rely on them to carry me. For me, it’s definitely a balance between structure and instinct.
Saying that, not everything about me is serious. Some things are just plain silly.
Whether that be my sarcasm, my love for situational humor content, or my slightly ridiculous talent of being able to touch my tongue to my nose. It really just sums up, me. Perhaps, not my skills, but how I find joy in the little things.
But if I could trade that talent for another, I know exactly what I’d choose.
If I could instantly master any skill, it would be programming. I’ve dabbled in Python and Java, but let’s just say it didn’t stick. Coding feels like learning another language, one where a single missing comma can unravel everything. Still, I admire the mix of creativity and problem-solving behind it aka the ability to build something from nothing other than just logic and persistence. It’s hard, tangled, and at times, quite confusing. But each time, I find my way back, trying again.
And finally, that brings me to the balance of these posts, of my creativity, and my life.
If you asked me whether I’m a dreamer, a planner, or a doer, I’d say all three. Just not in a neat order. I dream to spark ideas, plan until it becomes to rigid, and then leap into doing, sometimes in a more abstract way. While it might not always look polished, it’s what works best for me. And maybe that’s the whole point to show that growth rarely moves in a straight line. That the mix of dreaming, planning, and doing keeps me motivated. It keeps me moving, learning, and finding my own rhythm along the way.
So, there you have it. A handful of everyday pieces that provides a glimpse into who I am in this chapter of my life. While none of this tells my whole story, it can be fun to learn about each other. After all, it’s in the small moments that remind us we’re all human. Now I’d love to hear from you. Share a piece of your story in the comments below. And who knows? maybe we’ll circle back in a couple of years to see how much has changed.
As a signature of my blog, I’d like to end this post with a suggestion to “Pass on kindness.” There’s no time like the present to Inspire Those Who Inspire You. Acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, can have a direct, positive impact on someone else. Go out there today and change someone’s life for the better!
***These are my personal opinions and may not be those of my employer.***
