As the world grappled with the challenges of the pandemic, I found some purpose in an unexpected place: sewing. What began as a simple desire to contribute to the community by making masks soon evolved into a passion for sewing and upcycling clothes, transforming both my wardrobe and my creative outlet.

One lazy afternoon I was doom scrolling through my Instagram feed, hopping from one mesmerizing video to another. I stumbled upon a creative video about intricate and personalized embroidery. As I watched, the hat the person was working on transformed it into a work of art, I felt an instant spark of inspiration and rushed to the craft store.

Baking has always been a tradition in our family, but it became extra special to me when I started baking with my grandma, who is battling dementia.

I’m not sure what came over me. I am a pretty no-nonsense serious person. But one day I got the random urge to try improv. Yes- like where you stand on stage and make up a comedy act as you go. There was a local theater near me where I had seen a sign for classes, and for some reason, I gave it a go.

As I stepped into the brightly lit studio that first day, my heart was pounding. At forty-something, here I was, about to make a fool of myself. It wasn't something I'd ever imagined myself doing, but there I was, nervously fidgeting and trying to ignore the butterflies in my stomach.

Between work, home life, and being a mom, I’ve found stress can creep up me quickly. For me, it was the incessant demands of work and personal life that left me feeling drained and anxious, especially in the evenings, when I’d crash in front of the TV. It was during a particularly overwhelming period that I stumbled upon an unexpected solution – knitting.

There's something so fun about combining simple ingredients into a source of warmth, light, and fragrance. Let me tell you about the wonderful world of candle-making! Here are 5 of my favorite things about making candles:

In the middle of life's chaos, it can be hard to find peace. But for me, I found a safe place full of messy, soft clay. Pottery has changed my life– It used to be just a hobby, but now it's my therapy, my friend, and my artistic outlet. In the workshop, I found more than just an interest. I found a place to get away from the world, develop a deeper understanding of myself, and explore my creativity. I found a deep way to heal and learn about myself through the simple act of shaping clay.

Engage in some creative fun this summer, and maybe find a new favorite hobby.