Hello all! It is the start of fall 2026 classes and I thought that relaxing and appreciating nature would help with the nervousness for school.
These pictures are all pictures that I have taken. Either on a walk, on a drive, or just outside my window.
This beautiful skyline is from the night before move in for returning students. This picture was taken in Scranton Pa at 8:04 PM, August 22, 2026. I took this photo because I was meeting up with friends right before we were moving in, I was nervous so this was a nice chance to just be outside and take in the scenery for a moment. I really enjoy this picture because I wasn’t thinking about the stress of move in day, starting school, leaving home, or my class assignments; I was just thinking about how pretty the sky looked and how my friends were coming to see me.
That is the thing I like about taking pictures. They have time and place stamps, but the best part is the memories of that moment and just taking it in. There was a reason I looked up at the sky and saw this beautiful sunset, and I’m pretty sure it was to get my mind out of the future and focus on the present. That time. That place. That moment. That is what pictures capture.
These next photos are from my time here at Marywood. All times when I looked up and just admired that sky and captured the moment. No matter the feelings I felt in that moment, was replaced with admiration by the beauty of the sky.
These pictures are grouped together because they give the sense of relief almost. The pink in the sky during a sunset means the day is done and it is time to move on to the next day. To me, that also represents another day completed, and everything that happened that day, good or bad, is in the past. It is a clear sign to move on to the next thing.
These pictures are also all taken at Marywood. These skies give me a sense of calm. The light pastel blue and yellow skies and the fluffy clouds give me a sense of calmness.
The rest of these photos are very special photos to me at points in my life where I needed to stop thinking. The top left is our family’s first night at the beach. This was our last beach trip as we were unable to all go with my grandparents. The top middle is the second night of our vacation. That day we went to the beach and I went on a walk with my grandfather to look for sea shells. This walk would be the last walk that I would ever do with him and I cherish those memories everyday. The top right is a picture of the road when I was on my way to Marywood for admitted students day. This picture was important to me because I was so nervous to go. I didn’t know anyone, I wasn’t sure if anyone else was in my major, I felt so alone. I looked out the window and saw the clouds and how effortlessly they just laid in the sky. Looking like a layer of clouds just hovering over protecting us. I felt that I needed that protection to go to a place where I was nervous to go to. Finally, the bottom is a picture I took when I was on a walk with my neighbor. This was one of the last walks we went on before we both went to college for the year, I really needed to get out of the house as I was an incoming freshman. I was nervous and she helped me calm down by taking me on a walk. This picture reminds me that walking is another coping mechanism I can use to help calm myself down when I feel stressed or overwhelmed. I am forever grateful that my neighbor Sammy took me on that walk and I got to see such a beautiful sunset before I headed to start my college experience.
My absolute favorite picture has to be this one. This cardinal has been showing up at my house for days in a row all summer long. I believe that those who have passed can be symbolized by cardinals, so if you see one, that means that someone is visiting you. This specific cardinal always waits on this wire line, then goes to my backyard stopping at the middle of the fence looking at me. I feel my grandfathers presence whenever I see this cardinal. I feel more at peace with his passing knowing he is the first person I think of whenever I see this cardinal.
I like to take pictures whenever I feel overwhelmed. There is such beauty in the world and you miss it if you are too busy worrying about things. Small things. Big things. Necessary things. Everything. Yes you should worry about things, some things need to be worried about, but when it is something that takes you away from the present, you should stop to take a look at the beautiful things around you. Then worrying about some things, might not become as important. This is just something that I try to live by, if it doesn’t work with you, try to find something that does.
“Stop and smell the roses” is a saying that my mom will tell me whenever I am overwhelemed and everything seems to be going a “mile-a-minute”. My version of that saying is “stop and look up” because everytime I have, I saw something beautiful right above me. If I hadn’t looked up, I would’ve missed it. Even if it was a minute difference.
Stop and connect back to your surroundings as school begins. Take it slow, it’s OK to take a break, and try not to stress over everything.
See you next time
~Emma ☼