"Local tourism" and "modern manners" alongside my "Marketing Talks" are taking a backseat for now, while my creative mojo is on a mini-vacay. So, where do I turn for inspiration (and a distinct lack of unsolicited opinions)? Pinterest, the surprisingly peaceful corner of the internet.

And today's delightful dive? The simple things that genuinely make me happy.

The Joy List:

• Good Food & Great Conversation: For me, the best talks happen around a table laden with delicious food. Food is culture, family history on a plate. You learn so much about someone by what they cook and eat. Plus, almost every dish has a story, and who doesn't love a good story? My friends and I used to embark on culinary adventures, ordering practically the entire menu. My hospitality background definitely amplified this joy. Food, in itself, can be the best conversation starter (or the conversation itself).
• Music & Performing Arts: While discussing music can be a judgmental minefield, experiencing it live – whether at a movie or a play – brings me immense joy. Even my slight counterphobia (crowds, enclosed spaces, the whole shebang) can't diminish that thrill. It's an adventure for my senses!
• Home, Sweet Home (My Personal Quest): It's not that I had a bad childhood home, but creating my own sanctuary – a place to truly be, not just exist – has been a lifelong pursuit. As a creative person in my career, this need to build and nurture extends to my personal life. I've found "home" with friends, in my work, and even in the quiet of my own company.
• Embracing Activities (Thank You, ADHD!): Hiking, sports, spontaneous "Yalla!" moments – anything that gets me moving makes me happy. Yes, that "Yalla!" attitude has occasionally landed me in interesting (and sometimes slightly perilous) situations, but hey, at least I got the story! Local markets, festivals, concerts, social gatherings – if it's active, it's a mood booster. My default "doormat" state? Definitely not a happy place.
• The Shifting Sands of People: Friends used to be a major source of happiness, and people in general... until they became a bit too much. Nature, which falls under "activities," is a constant source of peace. Honestly, I think I can find happiness in almost anything, provided it's the right people at the right time. And that, my friends, is often mission impossible.

But if I'm truly honest (and I always aim to be, humbly speaking), I make me happy. That's probably why I've been able to bring joy to others. And perhaps that's also why, these days, staying away from the noise of too many people brings me a certain kind of peace.

Pinterest suggested writing down what makes me happy when I'm facing a creative block, and it's solid advice. Because if you can articulate it, you're already 75% of the way to finding it (or the solution, in this case).