It Was A Good Weekend

On Books, Art, Blooms, and Analog Living

I painted, I went to a lecture, I visited bookshops, and I planted a rose bush. A simple list, but honestly? It felt like pure abundance.

Friday night, I closed out my workday with watercolors — just me, some brushes, and a little creative magic. It's become a ritual lately.
My day job keeps me neck-deep in social media, current events, and politics. And y’all, it’s exhausting. Draining. Soul-sucking, if I’m being real.
That’s why I’ve made analog living a priority.
Social media doesn’t feel "fun" for me the way it used to. But you know what still feels joyful?
Exploring watercolor with no agenda. Reading physical books. Meeting friends at a neighborhood bar for R&B Bingo.
Those things restore me. They make me feel alive, not like I’m wasting hours scrolling through a feed that doesn't feed my spirit.

Saturday was Independent Bookstore Day, and my daughter and I made an adventure out of it.
We picked a couple of bookstores we hadn’t visited before, and both were gems.
First, Bike Trail Books — a cozy, lovely spot with a great collection of books, plants, and games. I already know I’ll be back.
Next, we stopped by the Cincy BookBus storefront, and I’m so glad we did. As part of their mission, profits from The Book Bus go to buying new children’s books for low income area schools and organizations to give all children the opportunity to experience the joy of reading. Isn’t that wonderful?
We would’ve hit even more bookstores, but I had somewhere I needed to be.

The Cincinnati Art Museum hosted Art in Bloom, an event where floral artists interpret artworks with botanical designs.
So many of the displays were stunning, but one moment stopped me in my tracks.
I rounded the corner into a gallery featuring Kehinde Wiley’s The Two Sisters and, I audibly gasped.
Sitting beside the painting was a breathtaking floral arrangement by Westcraft Floral, and for a rare moment, I was absolutely speechless (If you know me, you know I’m never without words).
Kehinde Wiley, for those who might not know, is the artist who painted President Obama's portrait — the one that had folks losing their ever-loving minds — and his work is a incredible to view in person.
Seeing a floral designer match the energy of The Two Sisters so beautifully was unforgettable.

Kehinde Wiley, The Two Sisters

Before wandering the museum, I had the pleasure of attending a lecture by Alexis Nikole Nelson (aka Black Forager).
If you don't know Alexis, you’re missing out. She's warm, hilarious, and incredibly knowledgeable.
She broke down the lost art of foraging, and yes, she kept it real about how racism severed so many communities' relationships with the land.
She also shared a massive resource list of native plants, trees, and tips for foraging in Ohio and the importance of adding native plants and trees to our community.
It was informative, affirming, and so joyful to experience.

Alexis Nikole Nelson (aka Black Forager)

This weekend reminded me: analog living isn’t about being anti-technology.
It’s choosing experiences that fill you up instead of draining you dry.

If you’ve been feeling burned out, overstimulated, or just plain tired of scroll culture, here are a few analog activities and hobbies you might love:

• Painting or Drawing (you don't have to be “good” at it to start)

• Visiting independent bookstores or libraries and browsing

• Planting a garden even just a pot of herbs or a rose bush

• Journaling by hand not typing, but actual pen-to-paper writing

• Foraging walks or just a walk through a local park noticing plants

• Playing board games or card games with friends

• Cooking or baking a new recipe from a cookbook

• Taking a pottery, embroidery, or woodworking class

• Learning calligraphy or handwriting exercises

• Hosting a vinyl record night listening to albums start to finish

• Letter writing yes, mailing real letters to people you love

• Doing puzzles crosswords, jigsaws, Sudoku, whatever you enjoy

You don’t have to quit social media, but making a little room for analog joy can seriously change the way you move through the world.

This weekend was a reminder that slowing down, paying attention, and connecting in real life still matters and it always will.

I’d love to hear from you
What’s one analog activity you’re excited to try (or already love)? Drop it in the comments, and let’s swap ideas and keep the inspiration going.