small English tip for Koreans :)

"요즘" == "these days"

BUT.

in my opinion (의견), saying "these days" is uncommon (드물다) in American style English.

maybe:
"what have i been up to lately... oh, i have been learning to paint."
"lately i've just been ___. lately i've just been hanging out. watching tv."

"nowadays" is more common than "these days" in my opinion. but, you would not say "nowadays.... xxx. nowadays... yyy." you can only use it once per meeting with someone.

again, just my opinion. :)