“Always leave enough time in your life to do something that makes you happy, satisfied, even joyous. That has more of an effect on economic well-being than any other single factor.” – Paul Hawken
Summer always flies by but this year it seemed to pass at record speed. How is it almost Thanksgiving?
Flashback to brighter days and the easy-breezy feeling of being at the beach. My Benzie County artist dates made for a summer of fun. It’s too bad locals and tourists alike missed out on some cool free programs.
Why am I writing this now? These artist dates serve as a reminder to support local businesses no matter where you live – all year long.
Besides boosting my mood, my artist dates get me out of my head and into the present moment. They force me out of the house and open the door to talk to strangers. And when you can’t find a job, it’s easy to get depressed and down on yourself.
Rather than mope, I found ways to cope! I expanded my artist dates to Benzie County, a small rural county on the outskirts of Michigan’s wine region and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Benzie County artist dates
Northern Michigan is an interesting place. For some, it could be called the land of opportunity. Many locals start thriving businesses. You’ll find salt of the earth types who farm or find ways to live off the land.
Artists and crafters own studios and galleries, or figure out other ways to sell their goods. Some transplants head “up north” in hopes of reinventing themselves. For others, it’s simply a place where rich retirees and vacationers go to escape the city.
For me, Benzie County holds a promise for the future and welcomes a slower pace. It calls up my Hoosier hillbilly roots, where I set the radio to country and sing along. Although I grew up in a mid-sized city with a university, I spent my 20s working as a local newspaper reporter in small towns in rural Indiana.
The area also brings back memories from childhood, during the 80s era when kids were left to make their own fun without phones and technology. I spent hours skiing by myself at Crystal Mountain while my dad went snowmobiling.
Perhaps it’s also why my artist dates took hold as a form of free therapy. Trust me – I tried therapy for a decade. I’d rather spend money doing something that brings me joy than talking about my problems for an hour.
The whole idea is to make a date with yourself to honor your inner child and reawaken your creativity. Looking back, I spent a lot of time alone as a kid. Read about why I started my artist dates in this blog: The Artist’s Way: Feeding My Soul With Artist Dates.
Floral design class
I usually pick artist dates that are free or low budget, so it was a treat when my fiancé surprised me and paid for a floral design class at Victoria’s Floral Design in May.
The owner, Victoria Mekas, is a Benzie County native and owns several businesses in Benzonia and Frankfort. She had one of her employees lead the class, and there were only three of us who signed up, but it was a fun, hands-on experience. I left with a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers and tips on how to design my own bouquet at home.
As a fun aside, Victoria’s Floral also has an area with Christmas decorations, plus angels, cardinals, inspirational signs and other gifts. On the way out, you can grab a coffee or ice cream at the adjoining Hill Top Soda Shoppe.
Takeaway: It’s hard not to be happy surrounded by flowers. Don’t wait on someone else to buy you flowers. Treat yourself.
Free library programs
In June and July, I attended two free programs at the Benzie Shores District Library in Frankfort. The first one was a vision board workshop. I’m trying to manifest a goal, and it sounded like fun. Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way, also suggests making a vision board to get clear about your goals and dreams.
It was on a Thursday morning, and I was the only one who showed up. But I still had fun talking with the library’s programming staff member while we both worked on our vision boards.
In July, I returned for the Reverse Tie-Dye class. There were two other ladies at this workshop, and we had fun learning how to tie-dye. I brought a black T-shirt to tie-dye that actually turned out pretty cool.
Takeaway: Love your library! They are gems in the community for books, free internet, and other resources. Library craft programs are some of my favorite artist dates because they are usually free and you actually make some cool crafts.
Art center, lighthouse tours
In September, I made trips to Oliver Art Center and Point Betsie Lighthouse. Oliver Art Center is a community art center with programs and art exhibits offered year-round.
I visited Oliver Art Center to see a fishing exhibit that was on display. I decided to “buy local” and selected two original works of art that reflect the local landscape. These special small works, on display in the hallway, also directly support the art center.
Point Betsie Lighthouse, now closed for the season, has been safely guiding mariners on Lake Michigan since 1858. Read more on these Benzie County gems in this blog: Benzie County Big on Fishing, Natural Beauty.
The lighthouse isn’t the tallest one you can visit on the Lake Michigan coast. But it has been carefully restored and decorated with unique furnishings. In the Boathouse, I enjoyed learning about the Life Saving Station at Point Betsie and the daring rescues they made during harsh winter conditions.
The gales of November could be a beast in the late 1800s. The brave crew set out to rescue stranded mariners, and the women warmed them up by the fire upon their return.
Takeaway: History is cool. Stay curious. Be a tourist in your own town. You’ll gain a new appreciation for early pioneers who endured real Michigan winters.
Beach days, nature walks
As a self-proclaimed beach lover, you can bet I made the most of beach days. I’m also a believer in nature therapy. I walked the Frankfort pier, visited Michigan Legacy Art Park, and explored Arcadia Marsh in the fall – while also making time for work!
We are truly blessed to live so close to the coastal sand dunes and fresh bodies of water. The beach is usually free unless you have to pay to park. Take advantage of it.
Takeaway: Nature (and sunshine) can soothe and restore mind, body, and spirit. Even when you’re on a budget, or broke, seek solace by the water or in the woods. I promise you will feel better.
Small bites class
In early September, I attended a cooking demo – Rhonda’s Small Bites class on apples – at Lynn & Perin Mercantile Co. (also owned by Victoria Mekas) in downtown Frankfort. I didn’t buy anything, but it was my first time in the store and I did spend some time looking around.
After following a pretty strict budget for the last year, I decided to splurge a little. A week later, I went back and bought an Aquarius journal that I didn’t need but called out to my free spirit.
Takeaway: Old-school marketing tactics still work. People love entertaining, along with good wine and cheese. Get them in the store, and they’ll probably buy something.
Rock shop retail therapy
Keeping with my astrology/birthstone theme, I also visited Unearthed in Beulah and bought an amethyst necklace and earrings. I need all the positive vibes and good energy I can get. Unearthed is a cool rock and jewelry shop that speaks to my Hippie-loving heart.
Store owner Pauline Gala told me she came to the area for a wedding years ago and decided she wanted to move there. She worked various places, including a gas station and grocery store, and now she owns a small retail store. Inspiring!
I’ve bought several bracelets at Unearthed with inspiring words – Hope, Trust, Patience, Inspire – that I wear as a daily reminder to practice all of them. Last year, I also found a book, “Chakra Healing,” to work on clearing out stuck energy.
Takeaway: Sometimes you have to scrap the budget and buy something totally frivolous.
Escaping reality? Maybe
Don’t read this and think I’m living on easy street. This has actually been one of the hardest years in recent memory. But instead of sitting at home glued to a computer, feeling sorry for myself during the worst job market in years, I found ways to opt outside, to live, and to feel a little joy. And my advice to anyone reading this: You should too.
In truth, I lost my courage to keep job hunting. So, I took a break for my mental health and returned to freelancing (and found regular work over the summer which I am grateful for). Getting outside boosts my mood, so I made the most of Michigan’s fleeting summer days. In the process, I expanded my courage for self-discovery, self-reflection, and self-reliance. The lessons continue in my second blog: Northern Michigan Entrepreneurs Keep On Grinding.
As an aside, the November doldrums are real in Michigan. The end of Daylight Savings Time – when we roll back the clock and it’s dark by 5:30 p.m. – is my least favorite day of the year besides December 21st (the shortest and darkest day of the year).
The only good news is we are headed into holiday festivities filled with sparkling lights, concerts, and holiday events. Read about some of my favorite ways to find holiday cheer: Choose Joy: Find The Light During the Dark Days of December.
When the hits keep coming, we all need courage to walk through the darkness with grace, hope, and faith.
“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” – Anais Nin
Marla R. Miller is an award-winning journalist, travel writer, and content marketing writer who lives in West Michigan. Please “like” or follow me on Facebook, X, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Let me help grow your business. Check out my Writing Services or Read My Work.
