Things that inspired me this month — March 2023

In this post, I want to share with you some of the things that have inspired me this month. This type of post is more personal, but it also comes with value & I think you may be interested in something here. So here are my March inspirations:

“I’m glad my mom died” by Jennette McCurdy

Before reading this book I thought the title was click bait, well… it wasn’t.

Even though I wasn’t familiar with Jennette McCurdy’s work as an actress, I’ve heard about this book so many times I’ve decided to give it a try. This book talks about really heavy subjects like eating disorders, the child actors industry in the ’90s & terminal illness and yet the way it’s written gives it lightness in all its heaviness.

I would recommend listening to it in audio form, it’s read by the author herself & you can hear her telling you the story of her young life.

"I'm glad my mom died" by Jennette McCurdy

“Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus

”Lessons in Chemistry” was a truly interesting fiction read. It’s a book about a woman with a cooking program in the 50s. The story has a feministic message & shows the reality of being a woman at this time. It’s really smart, unexpected & it keeps you hooked.

Boris Berlin lecture

This month I had the opportunity to attend a lecture by designer Boris Berlin focused on responsible design. The formula of checking your design from a sustainability point of view that Boris Berlin is applying in his work spoke to me & I want to incorporate it into my design process.

Formula:

Materials choice
Durability (physical)
Durability (mental/visual)
Transportability
Recyclability
Disposability

Abstract no 421 by Gerhard Richter

At the beginning of March, I went to the MO museum for a “…” exhibition. I enjoyed it but what stuck with me the most was the abstract painting No 421 by Gerhard Richer. Dynamic smudges of paint smoothen out to create a calm gradient effect on a canvas that covered the whole wall (250 x 202 cm), the fusion of green & pink in different shades with colourful accents.

After seeing the whole exhibition I came back to this art piece & sat in front of it to look at it for a while longer. I have looked at other works of this artist but they had different vibes, they were more harsh & aggressive, but this one due to the smoothness had something peaceful in it that stuck in my mind.

Still Life with a Newspaper by Romanas Vilkauskas

Another art discovery of mine was Lithuanian artist Romanas Vilkauskas. I saw his paintings in the National Art Gallery in Vilnius & loved them immediately. He paints mostly still life & a newspaper is a part of most of his work. The art pieces are peaceful but intriguing at the same time.

Vegan kibinas from Lidl

As it comes to food this month was full of kibinas which are traditional Lithuanian dishes (pastries) & from all of them the one I liked the most was the vegan one from Lidl – Veganiskas kibinas. If you’re ever in Lithuania give it a try.

PE for students

This may seem random, but another favourite of mine was PE classes at University. At Vilnius Academy of Arts, the one type of PE classes is yoga & pilates. These are my favourite classes it’s like going to organised fitness but for free. If you’re a student try attending different PE classes & see what you like because it may occur that you will get your weekly exercise without paying for a gym membership!

Pilates accessories — inspired to work out

daily journaling

At the beginning of 2023, I purchased the Daily Stoick by Ryan Holiday but only in March I incorporated it into my routine. Every morning I read a page dedicated to the day & then reflect on it, writing key thoughts in my journal. After this, I write down 3 decisions that will have a positive impact on my life, 3 things that make me excited about the day & something nice that I can do for others that day. This short habit added positivity to my mornings & I think it makes me more mindful & inspired later in the day.

St. Kazimir fair

Each year at the beginning of March the old town of Vilnius is full of people coming for the St. Kamir fair. On this annual holiday, the streets of Vilnius are filled with tents in which you can buy Lithuanian art, handcraft & try traditional food. It’s great to see the Lithuanian culture in this way.

If you’ll have the opportunity to visit Vilnius when the fair is happening I highly recommend it, but my advice is to organise it so that you have days with a fair & days without, the city looks completely different with all the tents.

Watch a vlog from Vilnius

Trakai in early spring

This month I’ve also travelled to Trakai – a small town 30 minutes from Vilnius. In Trakay there is a gothic castle in the middle of the lake & in winter & early spring the lake is frozen & there are not many tourists, so it was peaceful. Another place I recommend visiting when in Lithuania.

Watch a vlog from Trakai

I hope you’ll be able to try some of the things that inspired me this month & that will also have a positive impact on you.

blog posts from March: