simple pleasures: relearning the piano and the best mini book bag
no.3 - about hobbies that bring me peace: piano, creative writing, gaming, and more
simple pleasures is a monthly curation of all my favourite new (and old and loved) things - think a collection of passions, habits, books, quotes, purchases, recipes, and more.
I recently had a talk with a colleague about doing less. The production-craving creatures we are, we pile up our to-do’s, squeezing as many tasks into our 24 hours and stacking habit upon habit until we burn out of energy to even start the day at all.
Perhaps spurred on by my reading Four Thousand Weeks, I’ve been trying my best not to be a crazy time-blocker or “get the small tasks done first”. There’s simply no time to do everything, and I need to become better at prioritising the things that feed my heart and soul. So I’m trying to be more in the moment, to savour the pleasures of life and to be okay with not doing everything I set out to do that day.
In the same vein, this month’s edition of Simple Pleasures focuses on the hobby’s and acts that stimulate my creativity and sense of peace without the worry of perfecting them.
Piano music
I picked up the piano after over a decade of not playing. As a child, I didn’t quite appreciate the opportunity to be able to learn piano - I enjoyed it for the most part but dreaded having to practice daily. Now I’m grateful for that little extra push, reaping the rewards.
Being able to make music with my bare hands (and an on-loan piano) has awakened a multiplication of creativity in me. The touch of the keys under my fingers, the chords and harmonies a pallet of colours in my ears.
I’m rekindling the joy of playing music.
On writing creatively
I write. But writing an actual fictional novel(la) is one of those “I one day want to write a book” kind of passions. Why wait though? In an attempt to get myself out of an everlasting procrastination, I’ve waitlisted myself for a creative writing course here in Amsterdam (ironically, the course was already full). In the meantime, I’m pondering ideas for a story, jotting down notes here and there. I feel a bit ostentatious even saying it; who am I to believe I could actually write something kinda good? But I long for a creative outlet, even if it never makes it out of the drafts.
relatably writes in her new substack (give it a read!) that professionally she is not a writer, but emotionally, she is. And this sums up how I feel about this unremitting wish to ‘be a writer’.I also love what
said in her top 10 writing tips, a listicle that’s simultaneously a good reminder that it’s better to enjoy the creative process than to stick to a rigid weekly posting schedule.Mari writes:
The joy of writing is that nothing has to make sense. This isn’t algebra; it’s a playground of words where a slide can become a pirate ship and the swingset is a castle.
And doesn’t that just ooze fun?
Disney Dreamlight Valley
Like many others during the low moments of the pandemic, I caved in and purchased a Nintendo Switch to play Animal Crossing. And ever since, it’s stayed largely untouched.
But when I saw a friend sharing an image of Dreamlight Valley on her instagram stories, I knew I had to get it. It brought something out in me. Some sense of nostalgic longing for nights under the covers secretly completing missions on my nindendo ds lite, simultaneously a kind of grief over having left childhood behind. My teen self would have absolutely devoured this game - the simulation style, low-effort quests, and well-loved Disney characters all combine to create a game that relaxes me for hours or even just a couple of minutes.
THE book bag
I love bags. It’s become somewhat of a recent obsession - a material compulsion to carry around my most beloved possessions (aka, books) in a beautifully crafted vessel all day.
I mentioned purchasing this St. Agni bag in my last simple pleasures newsletter, inspired by
, but have now had the proper time to use it.
Part of its appeal lies in the branding; it’s called a mini tote. It’s the perfectly sized tote for a book. There’s a certain satisfaction to the bag fitting my book so snuggly, as if it’s made just for that purpose.
Spending on…
Cashmere socks from Arket. Yes, I spent €35 on a pair of socks, but they were one of the best investments I’ve ever made. Every time I wear them, I feel like I’m walking on clouds, and every time I don’t, the roughness of normal socks grate my feet. I’m definitely saving up to invest in a few more pairs, because it truly makes a difference in my day.
Toteme heeled flip-flops that I got off Vinted, practically unused, for an absolute steal (€150). I know I’ll have to break them in, but they’re the perfect simple summer shoe and I can’t wait to wear them out. The leather is supple and the small kitten heel adds a bit of chicness. You can find them second-hand here and here. And new here, here and here.
Listening to…
Anything kinda sad, kinda grungy, but 100% shout-along. Just to cope with everyday feelings.
I’ve especially been a fan of Suki Waterhouse this month, and I’m playing Nostalgia and the newly released OMG on repeat.
Curated a playlist in this #sadgirl genre and I will update as I go!
Recently read
February was a bit of a slow month reading-wise, but that doesn’t take away any of my reading pleasure. I’m a reader but sometimes I just don’t feel like it and I think that’s only healthy, because I don’t want to end up finishing a book I either don’t enjoy, or feel like I need to rush through in order to tick it off my list, when I could be something that invigorates me a lot more in the moment. That being said, this month I read:
For the reviews, keep an eye out for the next instalment of my monthly books newsletter.
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Currently have Four Thousand Weeks on my nightstand—excited to dive in given your review! I'm also trying to spend more time on the piano. Curious what music you're learning/playing and where you purchase! I played a lot of classical music as a kid but have just been downloading poppy sheet music lately...