Finding Light in the Routine

My days were structured, busy, and deeply rooted in routine the past few weeks. Showing up early, staying focused, and pushing through while learning the nuances of a new file system, ways of doing things that are different than what I am used to, adjusting to a PC again after years of being on a MAC, new programs to learn (because there are always new ones around every corner these days, and relearning old ones) and new people and office culture dynamics to work with.

But within that routine, there was one part of my day that always stood out.

My lunch hour walks by the lake.

No matter how the day was going, that time became a reset. A moment to step away, breathe, and take in something calm and constant. The movement of the water, the quiet, the fresh air, the chickadees that would land on me every time I neared their quiet little corner. It shifted my perspective and helped me carry a more positive mindset into the rest of the day.

Those walks weren’t just a break. They were a reminder.

A reminder to slow down.

To notice what’s around me.

To keep going, even on the harder days.

And now, in this space between roles, I find myself coming back to those moments as inspiration.

What I’m creating now is rooted in that feeling. Taking those small but meaningful pauses and turning them into something tangible through my work. Translating that sense of calm, clarity, and resilience into paintings that reflect more than just a scene, they reflect a mindset.

 It’s a continuation of that routine in a new way. 

Because sometimes, the smallest part of your day ends up being the most impactful, and it carries you forward into what’s next.

I am looking forward to my next chapter, bringing with me  my recent lessons with clarity and purpose.