Notes from a Balancing Week
Hello besties!!!
I wrapped up last week and stepped into the final week of summer classes—how did time fly this fast? I’m finishing final projects while also making space to socialize with family and friends, making my week feel like the perfect blend of everything.
I’ve been running between classes, the gallery, books, and family this summer. I’ve probably said before that summer isn’t really my season—but this year, I even fell a little in love with it. I’m so grateful for that shift. I took a break at the beginning of the season, and now I’m planning another one before fall begins—like bookends to a beautifully chaotic chapter.
Lately, I’m trying to stay grounded and stay in tune with my body and mind, searching for balance. I have this thing: I get so wrapped up in something that I forget the rest when I love something. So, I’m learning to pause, breathe, and shift the weight gently between all the things I care about. We will see how successful I am… but at least I’m trying. Not just with my active life—I also try to take care of my body, listen to it, eat mindfully, and move regularly. I really believe those little steps are the foundation of something strong and steady. Let’s be real, balance isn’t always about giving equal energy to everything in your life. Sometimes it means letting one thing take the lead while the others wait quietly in the background. And that’s okay.
This summer has been a crash course in that for me. Between classes, gallery work, family time, and just trying to rest, I kept searching for this perfect mix where everything fit neatly into the week. But spoiler alert: it rarely did.
Some days, I gave my all to my projects and barely responded to texts. Other days I showed up for my family, heart first, and let my to-do list sit untouched. And sometimes—on the rarest, most magical days—I found myself doing a bit of both and breathing through it.
I used to think balance meant being equally productive and equally present in every area of life, all the time. Now I know it’s more like a dance—sometimes clumsy, sometimes graceful. It’s choosing what matters most right now and being okay with adjusting as you go.
Art is one of those things I don’t even try to “schedule.” It’s everywhere. :)
It’s in my notes, my thoughts, my fingers when I’m holding a pencil or editing in Photoshop.
Exploring the digital world through my graphic design class opened up endless new paths for me. I started to see how to mix my traditional work—like sketching or painting—with digital tools. And suddenly, the line between “old” and “new” just… blurred. Who knows where that could lead? Maybe that’s part of the balance, too—letting curiosity lead.
Some weeks are heavy on deadlines, critiques, or late-night sessions with my sketchpad. Other weeks, I barely touch a brush and spend more time with friends, family, or resting. That’s okay.
Balance isn’t a fixed equation. It’s a feeling.
And I’m still learning to trust that I’m doing enough—even when it looks uneven from the outside.
This week, I’ve been reflecting a lot on balance and life—so it kind of feels like I’m journaling here, sharing little snapshots of what I’ve been moving through. I started the week with The Summer Swap by Sarah Morgan. Still, as always, my TBR is just a suggestion—I spontaneously switched to People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry (audiobooks are saving me lately!). I never really follow a strict order; I go with what feels right in the moment. Also, I can’t wait to share my last two design projects with you all next week. Thanks for being here—it means a lot. ♡
