Analog hobbies and a scheduling update - Ep 123
We have officially arrived at my absolute favorite season of the year, and all I want to do over the next few weeks is truly sink into autumn.
In this episode of the podcast, I am walking through the hands-on hobbies keeping me inspired right now, ranging from routines I have kept for years to crafts I am trying for the first time.
I am also sharing my favorite ways to celebrate the season—including my blueprint for a perfect autumn day and some cozy kitchen favorites—along with an honest scheduling update regarding a podcast hiatus for the show as we close out the year.
Create & consume:
What Austen is creating: lots of behind-the-scenes brand work, stuff will be going up over the next few weeks so keep an eye out
What Austen is consuming: Felicity is on Netflix but not with original music, trying to finish as much of Gossip Girl as I can before it leaves Netflix on the 28th
In this episode:
Analog hobbies
Lately, I have found so much joy in stepping away from screens and making things with my hands again.
One of my newest creative outlets is watercolor painting. I have been following along with beginner tutorials on YouTube from Petals by Priya, who was actually a past virtual assistant for this podcast, and I just ordered a guided watercolor book to keep practicing.
In the kitchen, I have been leaning into homemade pasta making, and I am hosting a dinner with friends in two weeks to put those new skills to the test.
Next on my list is bread making, and I am planning to tackle a few recipes from Rebecca’s cookbook, Small Batch Breads.
For quiet downtime, I am currently working through a comforting backlist re-read of Pride and Prejudice.
I have also been trying to establish a steady routine of pairing daily walks with audiobooks, which gives me an easy excuse to get outside and enjoy the crisp air.
Fall activities
Beyond working on projects at home, I have been finding small ways to get out and soak up the season in my neighborhood.
I recently participated in the Hoboken coffee crawl hosted by the local museum, which was such a fun community event and something you could easily recreate with friends in your own town. It inspired me to reflect on what my personal version of an ideal fall day looks like from start to finish.
For me, the perfect day begins with grabbing a warm drink at a local coffee shop, followed by a slow browse through an independent bookstore.
Afterward, I love walking through nearby streets to admire the neighborhood decorations, stopping somewhere cozy for lunch, and popping into a boutique to browse around. In the evenings, that cozy feeling extends straight to dinner.
I have been cooking a lot of warm orzo dishes lately and modifying my go-to salmon bowls to feel more harvest-inspired, including testing out a new version this week that features roasted butternut squash.
Fall scheduling changes and priorities
Finally, I wanted to share a transparent update on what the rest of the year looks like for the show.
I have made the decision to pause the podcast and take an intentional break.
Between feeling a bit behind on my workflow over the summer and taking time away for my recent trip to Edinburgh, my plate has felt very full.
Right now, I need to direct my focus toward paid client projects while giving myself the mental space to reflect on the long-term vision and creative direction of the podcast.
We all go through seasons where something simply has to give, and stepping away from the recording mic for a little while is the right choice for me right now.
If you find yourself missing our weekly chats, remember that there are over one hundred episodes waiting in the archives, and I will be linking a few favorite seasonal and holiday episodes to keep you company.
In the meantime, you can still follow along with what I am up to on YouTube, read new posts on the blog, and connect with me over on Instagram.
Summary:
To give myself the space to focus on client projects and thoughtfully plan the show’s future, I’ve decided to pause the podcast and take an intentional fall break.
In the meantime, you can always dive into the 100+ episodes in the archives or keep up with my day-to-day adventures over on Instagram, YouTube, and the blog.
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