Spring Joys
Catch me outside. My list this season features many places, but I just can’t help it. The longer days and warmer temperatures mean movement and exploration. I’m able to revisit my old friends and favorite outdoor hobbies. Here are my seven spring joys for 2026.
sewing
I know my garments are imperfect, but just don’t look too closely. I haven’t sewn in years, but I had a vision for a skirt that I just could not find. After weeks of browsing all the second-hand online platforms and coming up empty, I resolved to make it myself. This unlocked an old love of sewing. Though it’s been years, once I watch countless videos on how to handle the bobbin, the rest is like riding a bike. It comes back quickly. The skirt is now a reality, along with a sundress and a few aprons to gift for Mother’s Day. Who knows what could be next.
atlanta botanical garden
I know. Obvious. But hear me out. I don’t just mean going by with friends on the weekend, though I love that; I also mean going to Tulips at Twilight on Thursday nights, taking a cooking class, and attending a watercolor workshop. This year, I have finally unlocked the next level of my Atlanta Botanical Garden experience, and it is worth it. These activities take something that is delightful on its own, like watching the season’s blooms arrive, and add a layer of engagement that enhances the experience.
reading poetry
Historically speaking, poetry has been something I wished I could enjoy, not something I actually enjoyed. Mostly, I struggle to understand it. But I picked up an old copy of Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman that was gifted to me years ago, and have fallen in love with it. There is a romance to poetry that brings a layer of sentimentality to the everyday. I have several other poetry books on my shelf, so I hope this one has unlocked something in me and that I can cultivate a deeper appreciation.
hiking
These Georgia days get hot quick. Once Spring hits, I try to get out and enjoy the days as much as possible. During the week, this mostly means long walks on the Atlanta Beltline or through my neighborhood. But on the weekends, I want something a little more challenging. This list is one of hiking trails I gathered when I lived in Macon. Now that I’m in Atlanta, I am compiling a new list. Sweetwater Creek State Park is my go-to at the moment, but I’m always on the lookout for new sights, so leave your favorites in the comments below.
live theatre
Another Atlanta location that I can’t get enough of is the Shakespeare Tavern. Talk about fun, the cast at this venue really knows how to bring a play to life. From tragedies like Macbeth to comedies like Much Ado About Nothing, each production is well-made and a delight to watch from beginning to end. Live theatre will never go out of style, and this particular troupe reminds me of just how exciting going to a play can be.
folk art
When I was younger, I could not understand what made folk-art special. But over the last decade, it has come to inspire awe in me. The way it embodies the human spirit and testifies to the very nature of the soul’s need to create, it strikes at my very core. For those in Atlanta, the High Museum has a fantastic collection and impressive folk-art exhibits that never cease to compel me.
For roughly five years, I’ve been meaning to share my favorite Georgia folk art destinations. Including folk-art in my spring round-up has me recommitted to finishing and sharing my guide to places like Pasaquin, pictured here.
the art of gathering by Priya Parker
I love to host a good gathering. To bring interesting people together over a bonfire, a board game, or a meal creates community. This book was recommended to me by several people who are themselves intentional hosts. When I saw it on my recent trip to The Underground Bookshop, it was meant to be. Though I am only a little way into it, I can already tell this book contains the wisdom I need to bring more intentionality into my gatherings.
Cheers to another beautiful spring with outdoor adventures that will fill your soul.
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