The fourth month of 2026 featured Cherry Blossoms in Cologne, Jacaranda in Kona, and blooms everywhere in-between.
Blooming April
In the month of April:
- Easter, NRW Spring Break School Holidays
- Planning trip home, trains, planes & automobiles KLN to KOA
- Working on Deutsche Arbeitserlaubnis / Work Visa renewal
- Earth Day
- World Tai Chi /Qigong Day is always the “last Saturday in April” so we made it back again for this global event, helped set up, document, and clean up for the gathered Sifu and students of Hawai’i Island.
Bullet Journaling & Planning
The above YouTube Video is a flip-through of the month in my Seasonal Book including goals, glows, media favorites, and events I recorded along the way.
I shared my initial setup on Instagram here: “Happy Pink Moon, April, and quarter 2!” Continued to work in my 2026 Annual Collections, Monthly, and Weekly spreads to plan teaching, travel, and personal events.
Teaching & Coaching
Gave regular Mindful Movement classes in Balletlicious Ballet Barre+ and Yummy Gentle Yoga online continued throughout the month, with substitute teachers covering my studio Ballet classes and Well-Being elective courses in Cologne once I left for Hawai’i.
Writing & Publishing Articles
I published 1 article in April:
- January was Jammed Like a Filled Donut – 2026 Month 1 Reflection, in which I detailed how first month of 2026 was absolutely packed, with a bit of restful reflection at the start and then a full-tilt boogie back into teaching and creating, plus more snowy wintery weather than I have yet to see in Cologne!
Filming & Sharing Videos
I published 3 videos to the A Blythe Coach YouTube Channel in April and also created a new playlist to which I will be adding further video choreographies and tutorials, Ballet Variations for Small Spaces:
- Relishing Rond de Jambe en L’Aire – Basic Ballet Technique – Balletlicious Barre Exercises video: Circles or ovals of the leg in the air make an accent you and your audience will relish in classical ballet technique. Check out my “Small Space Juliet Variation” to see them action in choreography! Due to the posture, stability, control, and coordination required, this is a demanding intermediate step best tackled once your basic Rond de Jambe a Terre (circles of the leg on the ground) are competently performed. Both are great for developing strength in your core, hips, and the whole standing side. Rotary movements in ballet are fun to try at the barre and eventually in center and I hope you have a rollicking good time exploring them.
- March & Q1 Flip & Faves – Review, Reflect, Refresh – Creative Bullet Journal of a Teaching Artist video: The third month of 2026 brought International Women’s Day, women’s history, “The Nutcracker” ballet, Easter and the Spring Equinox among other highlights and events. A flip-through of the month in my Seasonal Bullet Journal Book, media I published & personally consumed, high & lowlights and special events, favorites books read, music heard, dance, theatre, film, and series viewed.
- Illustrated Travel Packing List 2026 – Creative Sketchbook Adventures in Analog Living video: Having become a bit of a gearhead while ultralight long-distance backpacking on the Appalachian Trail in the early aughts, I then navigated international travel and a move clear across the globe since. I’ve become fascinated with essential items in demanding conditions, discovered what minimal and creative living look like on the move for me and also that anticipation can add to enjoyment of my adventures. So I start packing well in advance, devise lists of experiences I’d like to do (and at the end of the trip, next time), items to confirm in advance, and the like. There is the packing checklist I created in Evernote which I reference before each voyage, and after my trip home last year I sketched what I packed that worked so now I have a visual version as well. Playful and functional.
Connecting: Email & Social Media
Email Newsletter
The best way to keep up-to-date on everything I’m coaching, teaching, creating and sharing about as well as work from others that I believe to be of value for fellow creatives is to subscribe to my email newsletter.
I sent one Email Newsletter in April, “Happy International Women’s Day & History Month! Seasonal transformation, spring fever, time changes.”
Socials
In April I also posted 6 times to Instagram. It is my honor to be connected to you there, here, online and in-person!
Creative Challenges
In April my creative “challenges” included planning my in-person and online classes (including guest teaching at WHDT in May), video filming, editing and writing, and practicing Tai Chi by the sea with Sifu Chee.
Media Musings
My April in reading, listening, and viewing pleasures:
Books & Reading
Books
In April I completed reading one book:
- The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, vol. 1 audiobook by Beth Brower, which I enjoyed and immediately put vol.2 on hold
- Also dipped into reading Let’s Move the Needle: An Activism Handbook for Artists, Crafters, Creatives, and Makers; Build Community and Make Change! by Shannon Downey, ebook loan through the library and I’m slow to consume nonfiction
- Started another ebook, The Shell Seekersby Rosamunde Pilcher and it is great so far, just a big one so may need to acquire my own copy and also looking forward to the film after I complete it
- And started began listening to another audiobook by one of my favorite authors, Atmosphere: a love story by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Poetry
- My 2026 daily anthology is Everyday Shakespeare: Lines for Life compiled by Ben Crystal and David Crystal continues to inspire
Listening Highlights
Favorite things heard over the course of the month go here, such as concerts, songs, pieces of music, playlists, podcasts and more.
Music
Songs & Pieces of Music
- “Come a’ama Crab” is a local 90’s hit I got to introduce Ela to following her enthusiasm for the local crustaceans
Playlists & Albums
- Hawai’i No Ka ‘Oi – Home in the Islands playlist on YouTube has some of my favorite classics and will continue to grow
- Balletlicious Barre+ Dance playlist on YouTube contains all my jams for early year and anytime
- Spring Sensations Dance on YouTube then came on the scene again post-Equinox and I am so here for it
- 2026 Plucky Tunes playlist on YouTube is a new one to collect all the best new tracks and classic melodies that come up over the course of the year
Viewing Highlights
So much going and doing in April, there is less to say on the viewing front. Even on long-haul flights, I prefer to sleep and read.
Series
- “Star Trek: Next Generation” is our current favorite to unwind to
Questions for Reflection
- What projects are your passion currently?
- What highlights, lowlights, and lessons have you experienced?
- What will you enjoy before the end of the year?
- To what shall I listen next?
Resources for Further Exploration
- Pluck Luck in 2026 – Word / Intention of the Year Article
- Twenty 26s in 2026: Analog Project Planning & Action Tracking, Creative Bullet Journal Style Article
- Float in 2025 – Word / Intention of the Year Article
- Twenty 25s in 2025: Analog Project Planning & Action Tracking, Creative Bullet Journal Style Article
- Quantum Leaping into 2024 Word of the Year Article
- Twenty-Four 24s in 2024 Article
- Say the Magic Words Article
- Analog Journals for Creativity Article
Explorations in dance, coaching, and creative living continue!
Thank you for reading, for being, and for dancing with me, in spirit or in fact.
Take care of yourself and keep moving mindfully, let me know how if I can be of service, would love to see you in my email newsletter or on social media as well.
Blythe Stephens, MFA & Bliss Catalyst they/she
Creator of A Blythe Coach @ablythecoach
dancing through difficulty
taking leaps of faith