March 2025

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We’re in the third month of 2025 and to say this year has been a lot in a short amount of time feels like an understatement. With the heaviness of the world on most people’s minds I’ve been trying to make it an even bigger priority to find the joy even in the smallest things.

Tomorrow marks one week until my 40th birthday and while I’ll have a separate blog post about that next week, I’ve been reflecting A LOT lately. At the beginning of this year, I told myself I wanted to recognize the moments of joy and if I couldn’t find them, to create them.

As with life everything changes over time but there were some things that I missed from my “younger” years, so I decided to bring them back. 1. Snail Mail. I LOVE getting a handwritten card or note in the mail. It is the simplest, yet most important thing to me. In a world where everyone is connected to technology and a busy life, to receive a handwritten note shows the care, thoughtfulness and time taken out of one’s day. So, I decided I wanted to be pen pals with some of my dearest and closest friends who aren’t in the 716 anymore. While it’s much easier to send a text, voice note or phone call, sending a card gives me and them something to look forward too.

The next item, having at least one “adventure” a month with my niece and nephew. While we try to do activities and attend events regularly, the colder months can be more of a challenge, so in February when my niece said she’d never been to the Buffalo History Museum, I couldn’t believe it, so we went one Sunday afternoon and it was great way to get out and learn a little bit more about our hometown. Also, something to mention, the museum is pay what you can with a suggested amount of $12 but for anyone who is on a budget this is a nice activity to do without breaking the bank.

Movement and hydration, I know everyone hears this all the time, but I have noticed such a difference when I’m not drinking enough water or getting some sort of movement in. My mood is so much better when I prioritize my health and when I feel good, that makes me happy.

Cooking, I never really thought much about it, but lately I find so much joy in cooking for myself and others. It isn’t always a new recipe (sometimes) but just being able to bring people together fills my cup.

Visiting a new coffee shop, Gold Lion Coffee Shop (new to me) and catching up with old co-workers who are now friends. It’s nice to spend a couple hours chatting and enjoying a simple cup of coffee in a new space.

I’m sitting on a few fun committees for the Buffalo Olmsted Park Conservancy and Buffalo Zoo, it’s been nice to have a part in some upcoming events that I’m sure the community will be excited about. :) More on those next month!

While these are just some small things that have brought me joy this year, I’m looking forward to sharing more with you throughout the year.

What are some things that have brought you joy in 2025 so far?

-Beth

The Year of 2020

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Each year, like many, I take time to reflect on this past year and re-set my intentions for the upcoming year. As we all have said at one point, 2020 has been nothing like we have ever experienced. Not only has the pandemic impacted all of our lives in some way, we all have our daily life experiences (good and bad) to add on to this.

a day trip to Ellicottville in February. This photo was taken outside of West Rose. Highly recommend you visiting.

a day trip to Ellicottville in February. This photo was taken outside of West Rose. Highly recommend you visiting.

For me, this year started off with a kick in the gut when we learned that my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in January. As my family and I wrapped our heads around this, we entered this pandemic world in the U.S. in March, and since then there have been highs and lows.

At the end of March I started a new job with Shea’s Performing Arts Center, while it’s definitely been a crazy, yet fun onboarding experience and first year, I am so thankful to be a part of the Shea’s family. In April, we lost my grandmother which I still don’t think I’ve fully come to grasp with. Then in June, I was furloughed, but I looked at that time, as time to spend with my family, to learn what is really important in my life and what isn’t worth holding onto. In July, we celebrated my Mom finishing her chemo treatment and moving in the right direction. In August, I was lucky to go back to work.

As we entered the Fall I continued that theme of family and spending as much time with them and exploring the outdoors by going on as many hikes in WNY and the surrounding areas as I could. In November my brother and I moved into a new home. And during all of the family and daily life stuff, even in a socially distant world, I was able to support local businesses, volunteer more of my time, meet some cool WNYer’s, seek out new places, build my relationships with others and re-visit places I haven’t been to in a while.

There were many special moments throughout this year but here are some of the ones that stood out the most for me. Visiting Shuck Shack on Ohio Street, Spring Lake Winery, Stony Brook State Park, touring Seneca One Buffalo, meeting and working with Kristen from Meet + Eat Charcuterie, visiting the beautiful Hartrich Chateau in Corfu and taking a mini day trip to Presque Isle State Park in PA.

Did I put my blogging life off during this past year? Maybe a little, and while I look at other local influencers there are times when it’s hard for me not to think what am I doing wrong? am I relevant? do people even care or read what I share? But I continue to tell myself to follow my own journey and share my experiences I chose to share because it’s a hobby for me and I want my site to be used as a resource to inform others in the community and beyond about the cool places and people WNY have to offer.

A few weeks ago during a meeting someone asked what is one word I would use to describe this past year, my word was Hope. I chose Hope because even during all of the uncertain, bad, difficult, sad, stressful and anxious times I still have hope that things will be better. Maybe that hope comes from the faith I have that everything will always work out even if it’s not to your timing, maybe I’m naïve, I’m not sure, but that is something that has gotten me thru some of the lows.

As I close out this last blog post for the year, and as we approach 2021 I’m looking forward to continuing to shift my energy to what really matters to me and what truly makes me happy. It’s a constant journey to continue to better yourself.

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We are all on this planet for a reason, we each have a purpose. I’d like to think this past year was an opportunity for us to all have a good re-set in our lives. It gave us time to evaluate what fills us with love and happiness and to let go and rid ourselves of what is holding us down and what doesn’t matter.

As always thanks for being a part of this journey with me.

Cheers to a healthy + happy 2021

-B