Spring has finally arrived to Croatia and it feels wonderful! Grass is finally green again, weather is sunny and warm, trees are starting to bloom, it’s really a pure pleasure watching Nature wake up again after way too many gloomy, dark, rainy Winter weeks.

I spent many of those gray, Winter weeks daydreaming about beautiful weather and all of the things and activities I could engage in, only if weather was nicer, activities such as going for long walks, taking photos outside without fearing my camera will get wet (since I don’t have any waterproof equipment), and just being outdoors more.

Yet, with the arrival of Spring my first notion was not to go outside but to start cleaning my place like a crazy person! I am usually very tidy and I already did several official Spring cleanings in February and March but as soon as first sun rays peeked  through my apartment windows I went into a cleaning frenzy.

Usually before every big cleaning session when I want to get rid of unnecessary belongings and clutter I ask myself this question: “If I were to move somewhere far, far away tomorrow, which of my stuff would I bring with me, which things would end up in garbage, which would get donated, and what would I put in storage?” It’s a handy exercise that helps me prioritize when getting rid of excess stuff, cleaning out my closet, tidying up kitchen cabinets etc.

The truth is I don’t like to accumulate or own too much stuff, so getting rid of excess is no problem for me, so this time, even though my place was pretty tidy and organized I threw out 4 big garbage bags of junk. I also went through my old journals (2008.-2012.) and decided to recycle most of them. The ones i decided to keep (only 4!) I put in storage. Getting rid of old journals felt awesome-like getting rid of a lot of emotional baggage since I do journal A LOT documenting so many of my moods and emotions. Now I feel totally refreshed and ready for new experiences!

One of the new experiences I’d like to try is taking up running. I’ve been diligently working out all throughout  this year (a decision to start working out has truly been my best decision this year, without comparison). I work out an hour a day, 5 times a week and now I’m really looking forward to even more activity in my life. I hope to start jogging and then get into running starting from next week.

I had a lot of plans and goals for April, when it comes to personal projects and art, this month I decided to focus on illustration and  pattern design. My goal was to create at least one more complex pattern a week and then also a bunch of really simple ones. I’ve been posting those more “complex ones” here weekly but simple ones are yet to be revealed :)

So far this month I haven’t been taking many pictures. I shot few rolls of film (that still need to get developed, ooooops) and I took some snaps while going for walks (such as springtime pictures you can see in this post). I noticed I am more productive when I focus on one project at the time (well, as most people are) than trying to juggle between several projects at once. I am definitely not a into multitasking :)

So, my main focus in April was on illustration and patterns and in May my focus will shift to photography (no pun intended). I already have a ton of ideas and I also want to start working on both of these projects, especially Postcards to self.

I also have a new collaborative photo project on my mind but that will have to wait a bit longer too.

Now that I shared some of my thoughts and plans with you I will leave you with 3 of my favorite photos I took during the latest photo walk. While passing by a little pond I noticed 3 turtles (arranged by size) chilling and sunbathing and looking really cute and cool. The scene immediately put a big smile on my face and, of course I had to take pictures. Turtles were willing to pose for me until a dog came and scared them away. Oh, well at least I got to see something really cute that made me happy :)