Take Some Chill Time
With being more than half way through April already, I'm having a hard time coming to grips with the fact that we are 1/3 through 2026 already! Some work days drag on for what feels like forever and yet these 24 hours feel shorter and shorter.
Life is busy, and it is easy to stay busy. I find myself mentally drained and worn out way more often than I'd like. Shaking up the usual routine and taking some time for me is such a simple answer to help reset and enjoy my weekend, but I never realize how much I need it until it happens.
Sunny Day = Long Walks
Luckily there has been some pretty good weather here in Vancouver—last Spring was quite rainy and it didn't warm up nicely for quite a while. I had to pick up a gift for my coworker who is moving on to a new job this week, so I went for a good long walk to soak up some sun and listen to good tunes while I made my way to Welk's.
The Best General Store in Vancouver
Welks is a general store on Main St. here in Van, but it's not your typical convenience store. They carry a range of higher quality products that is so well curated! Coffee and hot sauce from brands I've never heard of, soap and toiletries you won't find at Shoppers, stationary, puzzles and so many more odds & ends. Love that place!
The team and I went in on a nice coffee grinder for our coworker since she was talking about needing a new one. I knew Welk's had Bistro from Bodum—it was a good price and the only place I knew where to pick it up in-person. Gotta support local when you can!
I knew the Bistro was good because I have my own! I got an espresso machine last year and I needed a grinder that could grind fine for espresso. This one has a range of settings, so I can grind coffee beans for both my french press and espresso machine. Easy! We got her the black one to match her other kitchen stuff—mine is the white one with red accents. Red is the main accent colour for my kitchen, so it's a perfect fit!
Across the Street to Foglifter
Conveniently, right across the street from Welk's is Foglifter Coffee Roasters cafe! They roast their beans on Vancouver Island and have a cafe here in Van. I love the look and feel of the place, cozy and clean with a bit of a lived-in feel without looking worn (I shoulda some photos of the place, I'll have to do that next time I go there!).
I got myself an americano, a chocolate chip cookie (one of the best in the city!) and a turkey bacon club. Found a good spot with some sun and enjoyed my lunch, then switched over to some sketching for a bit.
As I was sitting there hearing the noises of the cafe and enjoying my cookie and americano, I was hit with the realization that I was enjoying myself. I wasn't just doing a thing, I was properly having a good time. Sunshine, fresh air, a long walk, a bit of light shopping and a nice cafe visit turned out to be just what I needed to slow down and relax.
It's easy to forget what that feels like when work is stressful, the weekday evenings are too short to enjoy and the weekend is spent recovering from the week that just happened and preparing for the week ahead. Sometimes, intentionally doing things to chill feels forced and end up not being all that effective. This Sunday was a concoction of simple elements that came together into a lovely Sunday that made me feel grounded, relaxed and happy. I needed that.
It's a pretty good recipe, maybe I'll try it out again sometime soon 😁.
