Drawing just to draw and making stuff (for real this time)
Picnic Journal #29
Hello and welcome back to Picnic Journal! March has been such a busy month, why is this year in such a hurry? Suddenly it’s warm outside and the cherry blossoms are in full bloom here in Seoul. I hope you’re doing well and staying healthy and taking your vitamins. This is stuff I have been contemplating/watching/reading etc. since my previous newsletter.
Lately, I’ve been…
Drawing for the sake of it
I’ve been blocked creatively recently and I found a great way to force myself to draw in my sketchbook: Instagram. I scroll through my explore pages, choose an image I like and try to draw it in my style. It has been really fun. I’ve been finding inspiration in strangers’ outfits and Portuguese windows and I feel less guilty about being on Instagram!
Eating like a teenage boy who grew 20cm over his summer break
I have never been so hungry in my entire life. Everything tastes incredible and I can eat almost three times the amount of food I could normally eat pre-pregnancy. I do think I need to try and reduce my food intake now that I am moving into my 30th week because I don’t have any interest in trying to deliver a giant baby who is 80% Korean fried chicken at this point.
Making stuff (but for real this time)
I’m currently working on a range of prints and products to start selling online both physically and digitally. I’m trying to push myself and ignore all my perfectionist instincts (hard, currently failing but will keep going). Watch this space because things are coming your way (hopefully… before my child is born… eek).
What I’m Reading
I want to die but I want to eat tteokbokki by Baek Sehee
I picked this book up at Kyobo last week purely because of the title. I have been reading it before I go to bed but I must say that the content is a bit too depressing for me… shockingly enough. I think I will get through this one in small doses so as to not bum me out completely. I’ve also been listening to the audiobook version of ‘The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read’ by Philippa Perry which is really interesting and also terrifying.
I liked this quote from Greek philosopher Epicurus via James Clear’s Newsletter:
"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for."
What I’m Watching
Drew Gooden on YouTube - Drew’s videos bring me a slice of joy to my life every time I watch them. I really liked his latest video about doing a ‘dopamine fast’ for a week and how terrible digital detoxing/productivity-type wellness apps are.
Sweet Magnolias (Again) - I love to hate this show. It’s so corny and cliche but there is something really comforting about it. Sometimes while I’m drawing or doing something on my computer that doesn’t require my full brain focus, I like to rewatch shows in the background to feel less alone inside. This is a good one for that.
What I’ll be watching next: The Glory. I really need to watch this Drama and I am so excited to hopefully do that this week. Will update you on that in my next newsletter.
Latest YouTube Videos
Yes! I have a YouTube channel! And I actually post videos somewhat regularly? Check it out! It’s a rollercoaster! Two years on YouTube and I still don’t know how to talk to a camera. Very cool stuff.
Follow my internet bubble for more
🌴 YouTube
📣 Korean Picnic Blog (Inactive but still fun)