Learn 8 Ways to Color Your Life at Laman Library This Summer!
In 1986, Japanese writer Haruki Murakami published an essay coining the concept of 小確幸, or shoukakkou. The term means “small but certain happiness.” In Korean culture, the term is 소확행, or sohwakhaeng, and it quickly gained popularity during a time of economic struggle and anxiety. It’s a philosophy of enjoying the small things in life—especially the things that are free or nearly free. A “small but certain happiness” could be as simple as lighting a candle, splashing in a puddle, washing your hands with good-smelling soap, or going outside just to feel the sun.
It’s a concept that has helped many people find a little more joy in their lives—and one that we embrace at Laman Library in North Little Rock with our free adult programs!
For many adults, summer isn’t quite as joyful as it used to be. Work doesn’t stop. Life and all its responsibilities keep going at the same fast pace. But here at Laman, Summer Library Adventure is upon us. Our theme this year is Color Our World, a celebration of color and creativity—and it’s not just for kids. Adults, too, can use these extra hours of daylight to find joy and inspiration!
That’s the goal of Color Your Life, an 8-week series of library programs for adults. Keep reading to discover 8 ways you can add more color to your daily life this summer.
Plan out fun activities—not just responsibilities. Even if it’s just writing a 1-hour family game session into your weekly planner, it helps you prioritize things that bring happiness and avoid the dreaded “couch rotting” that often hits on weekends.
In this program, participants will join Susannah and Alyssa to decorate blank calendars and build summer bucket lists filled with free and fun activities.
Build simple, no-cook snack plates that are both healthy and colorful.
You can absolutely turn a snack into a nutritious meal by combining bits of your favorites from each food group and calling it a charcuterie board. It’s not as expensive or fancy as it sounds! Participants will join Susannah and Lauren to make a rainbow charcuterie board.
Transform your space using color, without breaking the bank.
Color can shift the entire mood of a space, whether it’s a warm-toned lightbulb, a new coat of paint, or a thrifted throw blanket. In this session, interior designer Betsy Long from WER Architects will share tips on refreshing your space on a budget.
Enjoy getting dressed again by identifying your favorite colors and personal style.
Style doesn’t need to be extravagant or trendy—it’s about knowing what makes you feel good. Participants will create style mood boards and have the option to use a color analysis kit, with help from Susannah and Samuel.
Treat yourself to a fun beverage without the headache.
Ingredients like tart cherry juice—known for containing melatonin—can be used in tasty, alcohol-free drinks. In this program, Lauren and Susannah will show you how to make colorful mocktails, with samples and take-home recipes.
Learn to capture and edit the moments that make you happy.
Photography is a powerful way to appreciate life’s small joys. Jordyn and Alyssa will guide participants through tips for better phone photography, followed by a hands-on outdoor photo walk.
Express creativity with budget-friendly floral design.
You don’t need much to make something beautiful! With flowers from Marche Farm, Susannah and Sydney will teach participants how to create flower arrangements from scratch using just a few blooms and greenery.
Find joy in saving and sharing your favorite moments.
Archivist Jamie will show you how to properly store photos and keepsakes in both physical and digital formats to build your own personal archive.
Join Us Every Week This Summer
This weekly series begins June 11 and takes place every Wednesday at 5 PM in The Studio at Laman Library. Supplies for each activity are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Mark your calendar for June, and we’ll see you there!