The Weirdly "Perfect" Recipe for Untoasting My Brain
Pies, Succulents, and Rain!
Ever feel stuck in a creative slump or like your brain just isn't working right? Or maybe you're always drained, no matter how much sleep you get? I've been feeling way better since my last post a few weeks ago, and I've come up with some fun “remedies” to help get my brain back on track.
Solution 1 - PIE!
A couple of weeks ago, my friend and I headed to Cambria for a weekend we like to call our "mental health getaway." The idea was to kick back, recharge, and hopefully find some creative inspiration while treating ourselves to a ton of pie!
We spent most of the morning chilling at the café, enjoying hot chocolate, painting, and munching on pies during tea time. Linn's has the best gluten-free pie, so I totally stocked up on their amazing gluten-free Olallieberry pies for the ride home.
Seriously, a good pie is the best cure for a fried brain and a great way to kickstart creativity. You’ve gotta trust me on this! 🤣
Not into pie? (GASP! 🫢) No worries! Just swap it out for your fave baked goods or snacks. Just try not to go overboard—we definitely learned that the hard way on day one. LOL!
Solution 2 - Succulents!
I love saving dying plants, especially succulents. When I’m feeling stressed or burnt out, there’s nothing more therapeutic than scouring my yard, hiking trails, or even wandering through neighborhoods in search of abandoned or discarded plants. My friends think it’s pretty funny how much I get into this! While they love thrifting, it’s just not for me - I don’t have the patience to sort through thrift store aisles, and vintage fashion isn’t really my jam. But give me a back alley or a dumpster, and I’m all in, happily hunting for sad, neglected houseplants or the poor succulent cuttings that gardeners have tossed after trimming.
I scoop those up, shower them with love, and watch them go from “sad and droopy” to “thriving and fabulous.” It’s like “Extreme Makeover: Plant Edition!” Honestly, it’s way more rewarding than thrift shopping—sorry, thrift-loving friends!
There’s something super satisfying about this whole process. It kinda feels like making art. You can’t rush it. You’ve just gotta trust the process and be patient. Sometimes it seems like nothing’s happening for weeks, and then boom, the plant surprises you with new growth or flowers! It reminds me to be patient with myself too, especially when I’m feeling stuck or frustrated. In a way, my backyard has turned into a little support group—a cozy spot where both the plants and I help each other heal and grow.
Who needs therapy when you’ve got a bunch of succulents cheering you on? 🤣🌱💚
Do you have any quirky self-care habits? Share them in the comments!
Solution 3 - Rain!
I live in Southern California, where we don’t get much rain, so it’s always exciting when it finally pours. This spring was great - we actually got some much-needed showers! I really love how a rainy day feels; it’s so soothing and relaxing.
The sound of raindrops is calming, and the fresh air that comes with it is invigorating. Plus, a cloudy, rainy day is the perfect chance to get outside and paint. The colors look different when the air is all humid and wet, and it's cool to see how the weather changes the lighting and colors around us. Since I’m used to sunny weather, so I’m pretty good at making bright, bold colors, but I definitely need more practice with capturing the atmosphere of those gray, rainy days.
I really love the deep, rich colors that come out on a rainy day. When the sun breaks through the rain clouds, it creates this amazing contrast between the bright, happy spots and the softer, moodier colors in the background. It feels like you get to enjoy two beautiful color schemes all at once—cheerful where the sun shines, surrounded by those warm, deep shades!
Right now, I’m exploring new opaque water-based mediums for a new project. I’m super excited to play with Nicker's Poster Color for the first time! These are the same paints that Studio Ghibli and many anime studios use for their beautiful background paintings. I can’t wait to share my thoughts on watercolor, poster colors and gouache in future posts - stay tuned!
My way of unwinding might not be for everyone, and I totally get that! Honestly, it doesn't always work for me either.
But one thing I know for sure is that it's important to be kind and patient with ourselves. It can be super frustrating when you have tons of ideas buzzing around or a long to-do list, but then you feel too burned out or tired to tackle anything. Sometimes it takes days, weeks, or even months to really recharge your brain. So, take the time you need to recharge and ease into new tasks. Just keep in mind that as long as you take one small step forward each day, you’re still making progress toward your goals!
If you're curious about the art supplies I used for the paintings in this post, here’s a quick rundown:
Winsor & Newton Artist Watercolor
Nicker's Poster Color
Size 10 Da Vinci Watercolor Travel Brush
Size 2 and Size 6 Watercolor Round Brushes
Artist’s Masking Tape
An Artist’s Travel Size Water Jar
I’ve also added some more new travel art supplies in my Amazon Art Supplies Store. If you’re thinking about diving into painting and sketching while you're out and about, check it out! Happy creating! 🎨✨
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Love your videos. Very curious about the poster color paints.