I’ve just got back from a lovely holiday on the North Yorkshire coast. After last week’s heatwave, I’d packed for sunshine and warm evenings, but the weather had other ideas! It was definitely more jumpers than shorts, but we still had a lovely time.

I had taken a little book called Painting Happiness with me, the book starts with simple watercolour blobs and shows you how to turn them into birds, animals, people and all sorts of little pictures. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did, but I found it really relaxing.

I painted a few little birds and, somewhere along the way, I completely lost track of time.

It got me thinking about how many of us stop making time for hobbies as adults.

When we're children, we draw, paint, build, make things and try new hobbies simply because they're fun. Nobody asks whether we're good at it or whether it's productive.

Then life gets busy.

Work, family, responsibilities and endless to-do lists take over, and somehow everything starts to feel like it needs a purpose. If we're spending time doing something, we feel like we should be achieving something.

I'd forgotten how nice it feels to do something just because I enjoy it.

Since getting home, I've even carried on painting for half an hour here and there. Not because I'm trying to become an artist, but because it makes me smile.

The holiday also reminded me of something else.

The slower pace I loved while I was away doesn't have to stay there.

We often think we need a week away to properly switch off, but maybe it's the little moments that make the biggest difference.

Making a cup of tea and sitting in the garden.

Taking a different route on your walk.

Listening to the birds instead of putting your headphones on.

Painting a few little birds.

Taking a couple of slow, deep breaths before rushing into the next thing.

None of those things take very long. They're simple, everyday moments that help us slow down, reconnect and enjoy where we are, instead of always thinking about what's next. That's really what I'm becoming more interested in.

Not finding more time. But finding small pockets of calm in the middle of everyday life.

Because we don't have to wait for a holiday to feel a little more rested, creative or connected.

Sometimes all it takes is making space for one small moment in the day, and I hope this blog is a little reminder to take the time to slow down in your day.

Jane.x