"A Break, a Bloom and a Fresh perspective: Embracing Spring's Fresh Start"

Why I'm Returning to Blogging: A Fresh Start with Spring

There are many factors that inspire my return to regular blogging. Spring, with its sense of renewal, brings fresh energy and motivation. After a two-week holiday filled with a kaleidoscope of tastes, smells, and vibrant experiences, my appreciation for my usual lifestyle has grown even more. Returning home to the chaotic wildness of my garden, which was left unattended, adds to the inspiration.

Travel always leaves me craving improvements at home. The new sights, sounds, and experiences spark a desire to renovate, dig, plant, write, and draw. This time was no different. As soon as I returned, I felt an overwhelming need to give my home and garden the love and attention they deserve.

The Power of a Break: A Fresh Mindset

Taking a break from the comfortable routine helps refresh the mind. When we reach a point where exhaustion becomes the norm, a little discomfort can be the key to a creative reset. Suddenly, new ideas bloom, joy reappears, and the potential for growth becomes clearer.

During my vacation, I embraced long walks at sunrise, relishing the quiet moments before the world woke up. Walking barefoot along the shore, surrounded by coconut palms and tropical plants, with the warm rain and gentle waves—these moments were magical. Despite the sandflies that left their mark, I thrive in hot, humid conditions.

The Joy of Returning Home

City life brought its own pleasures—shopping, massages, and facials—but the sight of my land thriving with spring rains and

sun filled my heart. The grass grew knee-high, particularly where it wasn’t supposed to, like my veggie garden. What I found was less of a garden and more of a fenced jungle!

I quickly made a plan: the jungle would be cleaned up and transformed into a cut-flower patch. My strawflower plants seemed to anticipate this plan, as they self-seeded all over the place. While some bloom despite the cool nights, others need thinning. Rather than composting the extras, I’m considering offering them at the local market.

New Beginnings in the Garden

In my glasshouse, I’ve been busy planting seeds—cucumbers, tomatoes, chilies, and various flowers. The watermelons I planted before my trip are beginning to sprout, some still wearing their cute little seed hats. I’ve also planted some new flowers, like didiscus and zinnias (giant white and Cinderella peach), and I’m eager to see how they turn out.

This week, if the soil dries a bit, I’ll continue cleaning the veggie patch and decide whether planting potatoes now is crazy or just a little bit crazy. Moving the strawberries into the big garden is also on the agenda.

(If you find this post inspiring, feel free to share it with a fellow gardener or creative!)

Balancing Projects and Life

Meanwhile, my illustration project for the traveling cat book is progressing and demands attention. On top of that, my daughter’s new obsession with ice skating means twice-weekly trips to the rink, an hour away. Life is full, to say the least.

Dreaming Big: My Cottage Life Goals

I recently wrote down my life goals, and reading them back, they almost seem too ambitious! I dream of having a profitable blog, writing, illustrating, and selling books, and illustrating for others. I also want a beautifully clean home, a thriving veggie garden, and the chance to preserve food and create crafts like embroidery. Perhaps I'll even sell produce at the market from time to time. Homeschooling, a happy family, and animals like chickens, ducks, peacocks, alpacas, sheep, and pugs are all part of the dream. And of course, finding time for walks, runs, self-care, and reading is a must. Is all of this even possible?

Reading this back, it makes me laugh—I'll need to carefully prioritize my time each day, week, and month.

Wishing You a Creative Week

With so many projects on the go, I’m excited to see what the next seven days will bring. I wish you all a creative and productive week ahead, whatever you're working on.

See you next week!

Yulia