As the final warmth of August gracefully departs, marking the unofficial close of summer, I find myself embracing a new endeavor: sharing a more personal glimpse into my world. This ‘recap’ post is a first for me, stepping beyond the delicious recipes to reveal the journey behind the blog. It’s a practice I cherished in my high school days, devouring the heartfelt narratives from my favorite bloggers – the likes of Sally’s Baking Addiction, Half Baked Harvest, and Ambitious Kitchen. Their ability to intertwine personal stories with their culinary passion offered a peek into their daily lives, inspiring me deeply. Little did I know then the immense dedication and creativity that fueled their platforms. Now, eight months into my own blogging adventure, I carry a profound respect for the work involved, and a desire to connect with you on a more intimate level.
This post is an invitation to get to know Britt, affectionately known as ‘the Banana Girl,’ a little better. My hope is that by sharing some of the moments, lessons, and joys that defined my summer, you might find a spark of inspiration or a sense of shared experience. From invigorating beach runs that cleared my mind, to the inevitable baking experiments that didn’t quite go as planned, and even celebrating a beautiful wedding, this summer has been a tapestry of memorable experiences. And, as we transition into my absolute favorite season, I’m also eager to share what has me brimming with anticipation.
1. Embracing the Dawn with Sunrise Runs
This past summer marked a profound shift in my relationship with early mornings. My days began with a 4:30 AM wake-up call, a time I dedicated to 30-45 minutes of meditation, fostering a sense of calm and focus before the world stirred. Post-meditation, I’d slip into my running gear, drawn by the promise of the rising sun over the ocean. It might sound like a cliché, but committing to a routine like this offers unparalleled insights into oneself. It’s a journey of discipline, self-awareness, and resilience.
While not every morning involved a strenuous run – I’ve learned the hard way about my susceptibility to injury with consistent high mileage – I made it a point to be out there, soaking in the early morning energy. This commitment was deeply rooted in a significant life change. In early May, my boyfriend and I decided to move back home from New York City. After three intense years in the city, its relentless pace, pervasive dirt, and stark lack of natural beauty had taken their toll on me. While many thrive in that vibrant metropolis, I found myself yearning for a different rhythm, a connection to nature that NYC struggled to provide. Less than a year there would have been ample for me, and by the end, I was utterly exhausted by its stressful energy. This move, driven by a desire to save money and find respite from urban intensity before potentially heading to the West Coast, proved to be one of the best decisions we could have made.
My all-time favorite place to run is Compo Beach, and being back within proximity, I seized the opportunity to visit it every single day. These early mornings at the beach weren’t just about physical exercise; they were a rich tapestry of experiences. I forged new connections, becoming part of a delightful morning “crew” – a diverse group that includes dedicated 5 AM swimmers, fellow runners and walkers, and even a few playful pups and small critters. Together, we witnessed the breathtaking spectacle of the sun painting the sky with vibrant oranges, yellows, and pinks, spilling over the treetops. I explored new routes along the water’s edge, each path offering a fresh perspective. More profoundly, these sunrise escapades rekindled a deep sense of commitment, determination, and inner strength that had, perhaps, been overshadowed by the city’s hustle.
Those sunrise runs at Compo Beach became more than just a routine; they became a cornerstone of my personal growth this summer. They offered a quiet space for reflection, teaching me invaluable lessons about who I am becoming and how I aspire to contribute meaningfully to the world. The sun rises and sets each day, consistently delivering a glorious, awe-inspiring show. My humble ambition is to simply come close to a fraction of that natural brilliance, by adding a little more light and value to the world around me.
2. Elevating My Food Photography Skills
One of my primary professional goals for the summer was to significantly enhance my food photography. I firmly believe that the most effective way to improve any skill, especially in a creative field like photography, is through consistent experimentation and practice. This summer, I dove headfirst into that philosophy.
From May through mid-August, my kitchen became a vibrant laboratory, with a new recipe being developed, tested, and photographed almost every Monday through Friday. While I meticulously planned using a content calendar and worked weeks ahead on recipe testing, it was undeniably a period of intense work rather than restful leisure. However, looking back, every single hour was absolutely worth it. The dedication to pushing my creative boundaries and refining my visual storytelling truly paid off, as evidenced by the clear progression in my photographic style and technical execution.
Take, for instance, these two examples, which showcase the evolution of my work:
Compared to this image, where you can observe the subtle yet impactful improvements in lighting, composition, and styling:
Moving forward, I’ll be adjusting my schedule to publish between two to three new recipes per week, alongside these more personal ‘recap’ posts every now and then. This shift will allow me to dedicate more energy and focus to building a stronger, more engaged community around The Banana Diaries. It’s about creating a sustainable pace that balances creative output with meaningful interaction, ensuring that both the recipes and the stories I share resonate deeply with you.
3. Rekindling My Passion for Oil Painting
Returning to my art after a hiatus has been an incredibly restorative experience; it feels truly wonderful to hold a paintbrush again! At the beginning of 2019, one of my key resolutions was to dedicate more time to my artistic pursuits. However, from January through May, my efforts were entirely consumed by getting The Banana Diaries off the ground. Launching a new blog, especially one focused on intricate recipes and high-quality photography, demands an immense amount of time and energy, leaving little room for other creative outlets.
Thankfully, the blog is now flourishing, and I’m incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made. It certainly wasn’t an easy start, and I’m grateful beyond words for the journey and its successes. With the blog finding its rhythm, I decided that summer was the perfect season to revisit my New Year’s Resolution. I’ve always believed that resolutions aren’t bound by January 1st; as long as it’s still the same year, there’s always an opportunity to recommit! Despite working many weekends this summer, I consciously carved out a few afternoons for painting, and I’m so glad I did.
Getting back into something you once loved can be surprisingly challenging, and I’m still pondering why that is. While the act of painting felt natural and familiar, I found myself battling a significant amount of self-judgment at first. I couldn’t help but compare my current skills to how I painted in art school, where daily practice was part of the curriculum. Now, my artistic eye is primarily channeled into my food photography and styling, making the transition back to traditional painting feel a bit rusty. However, once you push past that initial hesitation and ‘rip off the band-aid,’ you invariably find your rhythm again, rediscovering the joy and flow of creation. This summer, I completed a beautiful ocean scene, which I proudly gifted to my boyfriend’s sister and her new husband as a wedding present – a truly special, handmade gesture of love.
My second completed piece this summer was a whimsical twist on the classic tale of Peter Pan. It was a delightful exploration of imagination, translating familiar characters and themes into my own unique artistic vision. Each brushstroke was a step further into reclaiming this cherished part of myself, reminding me of the pure, unadulterated joy that comes from original creative expression.
And for those who are curious, I even started an Art Instagram! It’s still growing, but I felt it was important to create a dedicated outlet for my original artwork, distinct from my food blog. It serves as a digital gallery where I can share my latest creations and connect with fellow art enthusiasts. So, if you’re looking for a dose of visual creativity beyond the kitchen, feel free togive it a follow and join me on this artistic journey!
4. Cherishing Moments of Travel
While this summer wasn’t predominantly defined by extensive travel, the latter part of the season brought some truly memorable journeys, particularly in the month of August. We kicked off the month with a delightful trip to Newport, Rhode Island, where I had the immense pleasure of being a bridesmaid in a beautiful wedding. Newport itself is an absolutely stunning destination, boasting breathtaking coastal landscapes and historic charm. The wedding was nothing short of magical, a joyous celebration of love and new beginnings.
If you ever find yourself in Newport, I highly recommend experiencing the Cliff Walk. I took an invigorating run along its scenic path one morning and can attest to its beauty, whether you prefer walking or running. It stretches for miles, offering panoramic views of the ocean, historic mansions, and rugged coastline – a truly unforgettable experience. It was a wonderful way to blend activity with sightseeing, soaking in the unique atmosphere of this charming New England town.
A few weeks later, my adventures continued with a trip to Austin, Texas, where I reunited with some incredibly close food blogger friends. It’s truly amazing to reflect on how our friendships blossomed online, yet it feels as though we’ve known each other for years. These women are an invaluable support system, transforming the often solitary work of blogging into a more collaborative and enriching experience. Our time in Austin was filled with laughter, shared insights, and delicious food, strengthening the bonds of our unique community.
5. Navigating the Nuances of Work-Life Balance
Achieving true work-life balance is a continuous journey, and for me, a significant turning point arrived just a couple of weeks ago. It was thanks to the insightful perspective of my good friend and fellow food blogger, Natalie, from Feasting on Fruit, who gently prompted me to pause and truly appreciate how far I’d come. Let me tell you, stepping back from the relentless momentum I had built – tirelessly testing recipes, cranking out photographs, writing compelling content, and delving into the intricacies of SEO – was incredibly challenging. I had inadvertently fallen into a pattern where I simply forgot to… well, breathe.
I had adopted a mindset that equated “success” – however one defines it – with an unsustainable level of hard work, pushing myself to exhaustion. While I am certainly not one to shy away from getting my hands dirty or putting in the necessary elbow grease, I realized I had lost sight of working *smart*. For self-starters and entrepreneurs, the absence of a fixed salary can often lead to this trap; you equate the number of hours invested with the likelihood of financial viability. And I’ll admit, once that momentum built, fueled by my passion to deliver the best possible recipes, it was easy to keep going. There’s truly nothing that brings me more joy than creating food for people and seeing your wonderful reactions when you recreate my recipes and declare them a hit.
However, this intense focus came at a cost. I began to neglect other vital areas of my life, a fact Natalie was quick and kind enough to point out. I was consistently pushing 80-hour workweeks, a pace that, quite frankly, is not sustainable for me long-term – I’m not an investment banking analyst, after all! I genuinely don’t understand how people maintain such schedules unless it’s their absolute, all-consuming passion, and even then, breaks are essential for mental and physical well-being. My relationship with work started to feel unhealthy when I experienced extreme guilt for taking even a single day or an entire weekend off. I became radio silent, neglecting cherished relationships and failing to respond to friends’ messages and calls, something I’ve always been bad at but escalated to a new level. I was so consumed by the fear of missing an opportunity or feeling the need to *prove* to others (and myself) that I could truly make this food blogging venture a success. While it might appear “cute” or simple to some, it demands an immense amount of work, time, dedication, continuous learning, and adaptability.
The profound truth I eventually realized was that I didn’t need to prove myself to anyone, not even to myself. This realization was liberating. It prompted me to adjust my recipe schedule from five new recipes a week down to three, a pace that now feels much more manageable and sustainable. This might change again in the future, either increasing if I find myself significantly ahead of schedule (which, believe me, I once was, working weeks in advance – it was truly insane!) or decreasing if life demands it. But for now, this rhythm allows me to breathe, to live, and to create with more intention. Moreover, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my writing when I’m not constantly scrambling for synonyms or repeating myself, striving to sound like a coherent human being rather than a broken record. It’s about quality over sheer quantity, and finding a balance that truly nurtures both my work and my well-being.
6. The Enchanting Allure of Fall
Yes, you heard it right! I am as ‘basic’ as they come when it comes to my adoration for the autumn season, and I am damn proud of it, my friend! My life truly revolves around this time of year. The countdown to fall officially begins for me on January 2nd, the moment all the preceding holidays (sorry, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Passover, and everything in between – I just don’t particularly enjoy the seasons you arrive in!) conclude. And honestly, I feel like fall boasts the absolute best lineup of events and celebrations, making it truly special.
We kick off September with my birthday (a little secret: it’s September 12th!), which is always a wonderful start to the season. Then we swiftly transition into Halloween, a day my college roommate affectionately calls my “second birthday” due to my profound love for all things spooky and festive. After that, we arrive at Thanksgiving, which is undeniably a foodie’s ultimate dream – a celebration centered around comforting, delicious meals and gratitude. And finally, we gracefully round out the year with the heartwarming festivities of Hanukkah and Christmas, bringing family, joy, and light into our homes. Oh, and let’s not forget the grand after-party: New Year’s Eve, a perfect closure to a spectacular seasonal run!
So, as the air gets crisper and the leaves begin their magnificent transformation, it’s time to fully immerse ourselves in all the cozy comforts of autumn. Grab your favorite fall-themed mugs, pull out those soft, warm flannels, and get your ovens preheated for the symphony of seasonal baking. Think aromatic apple pies, creamy pumpkin pies, and an endless array of cinnamon-infused treats that fill your home with irresistible scents. And, of course, let’s not forget the indispensable tradition of seasonal movie marathons, because I am an enormous fan of autumn flicks. For me, Hocus Pocus isn’t just a movie; it’s an annual pilgrimage, a true masterpiece – thank you very much, Kenny Ortega, for that absolute gem!
This concludes my very first ‘Things I’m Loving Lately’ post. It feels wonderfully different from crafting detailed recipes, and I must say, I really enjoy this format! I’m planning to make this a monthly feature, a way to keep things fresh and to continue sharing more personal insights into my life and journey with you all. I believe these posts will offer a beautiful complement to the recipes, creating a more holistic and engaging experience for my beloved community here at The Banana Diaries.