5 Things That Made Me Smile

Hi!

I haven’t given up on writing.
It turns out that I just needed to give myself some time not to write.

Why?

To pause and listen? To see if the pull to write would return?
Because I was lazy? Because I was overthinking… everything?

Take your pick.

The storytelling approach I set out to explore earlier this year (see previous post) still stands—and yes, the process has begun.

But as the eldest child—and the daughter—I carry this idea that anything I create has to be perfect before it’s shared. Otherwise… why bother?

Yes, I have a massive pile of things in the ‘why bother?’ bin.

Yes, I’m aware this might be a slight issue.

So, while I continue connecting with others and listening to their stories—some of which I’ll eventually share here—let’s return to a favourite:

I’m keeping this one brief.

Why?
Because I don’t want to give myself room to second-guess it.

This isn’t about writing a masterpiece.
It’s about creating something that brings me joy.
It’s about looking back years from now, reading this and smiling.

1. Celebrating 50 Years of the Two People Who Started Our Čuvalo Family

I spent most of February in Canada.

I was there in September, and this second trip wasn’t planned. But then my brother reminded me: wouldn’t it be nice to return in February to celebrate our parents’ 50th wedding anniversary?

So I did.

And I’m glad.

Fifty years of building a life together, of building a family together, our family. That’s pretty epic.

Being with my family like that made me profoundly grateful. And yes, it made me smile.

2. Mali Ston Oyster Festival

Every March, Mali Ston—just north of Dubrovnik—hosts an oyster festival timed with the Feast of St. Joseph.

It’s home to what one BBC reporter called the “planet’s best oysters.”

I drove down the coast from Makarska and spent the afternoon exploring the Croatian oyster capital.

What made me smile?

Eating oysters just minutes after they were pulled from the sea.
Driving the Adriatic coastline. This one always gets me!
Being invited by a group of local tour guides (thank you, Agata!) to join them on their adventure.

Here’s a short reel I made from the day:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by My Adriatic Adventure (@myadriaticadventure)

3. Valencia, Spain

I spent a few days in Valencia visiting a dear friend in April.

I’ve been to Valencia a number of times, but this trip felt different. Slower. More intentional.

We carved out time to simply be—to sit in cafés, walk through the city, share ideas, plan, laugh, and eat.

There was space for silence. For stories. For creativity.

It reminded me how rare and healing it is to be fully seen by someone who knows you well and still loves every version of you.

That made me smile.

4. Hvar Island, Croatia

This one’s fresh—Easter weekend. Still soaking it in.

There’s a lot I could say about Hvar's rich history and beauty.

And one day I will.

For now, this is all you get.

Here are a few overheard and exchanged moments that made me smile:

In Stari Grad, someone said: “Ovo je raj na zemlji.” (This is heaven on earth.)
A conversation between a 10-year-old and her mom:
“I want a BMW.”
“Why?”
“So I can drive it in Dubai.”
I asked a local for info about the ferry. When I thanked her, she replied:
“Bolje pitat nego skitat.” (Better to ask than to wander.)

5. Spell Against Indifference

A few weeks ago, a friend slid into my DMs with a message and a poem: Spell Against Indifference by Maria Popova.

It made me smile.

That she thought of me.
That she took the time.
That something in the world reminded her of me, and she reached out.

It felt like a little digital hug.

And isn’t it lovely when someone tells you:
Hey, I saw this, and it made me think of you.

It’s The People

What ties these five moments together isn’t place—it’s people.
What made me smile wasn’t just the oysters, the coastline, or the poetry.
It was the way someone made space for me.
It was the invitation, the laughter, the thoughtfulness.

Human connection—quiet, simple, sincere—is what stayed with me.

And maybe that’s why I’m writing again.
To hold on to the beauty of these small, real things.
To remind myself: this matters, too.

Thanks for being here.
I hope something in your week makes you smile.

5 Things That Made Me Smile