Junk journaling! I have stacks of ephemera that I wasn't doing anything with. My mom got me a sturdy notebook and some washi tapes for a Christmas gift. And leaning into the "junk" part of the trend has let me just start glueing some things in there!
I joined a cook book book club!!! We all use the same cookbook, choose a recipe, and have a dinner party. I’m delighted to finally be in a book club!!! And not be tasked with reading another book like a high school assignment ;)
My sister just got me a book of blank postcards for Christmas so I would love to draw/paint/collage on every single one this year and send them out to people I love!
I can't commit to a calendar or a project list 😅 But somewhere in the year (I hope)... digital flashcards (including some I've been working on for nouns from Dickens' era), my 4th annual vegetable/fruit garden plan, my 7th annual bullet journal, framing more of my kiddos' art to hang in the house, and just treating our traditional art supplies (in general) as being less "precious." I tend to squirrel them away because I'm still living in my college mindset where $7 for a tube of acrylic paint is insanely expensive. But, I'm an adult now and I can afford to buy another tube of acrylic paint if we run out.
Thanks for all your posts, Jenna! I feel like a kindred spirit out in the ether; picking fonts for my favorite animals even though that "wasn't the assignment."
I’m looking forward to finishing a crocheted blanket that I’ve been working on all year! Once I’m finally done with that, I can start to think about a new project 😁 Maybe a baby blanket, a tote bag, or a rug! I’m also looking forward to more watercolor painting and dipping my toes into digital art.
been feeling the hosting itch recently (and so inspired by you!), so i want to plan some fun theme nights + get togethers in 2026! i can be such a homebody but i'll be living solo by June, so want to make sure i stay rooted in connection💌
As someone who loves journaling and writing letters, yes yes yes! Bring the tangible back! Bring the long form back! Bring putting in effort but also having fun for the sake of creating for fun back!
This essay is so necessary in an era where we get lost in the digital world. I loved the tips, it really inspired me! Thanks for posting, and happy 2026.
This was a great read, Jenna! I’m most excited to plan a cookbook party, decorate my kitchen with some photos from the farmers market and place my wedding vows in a frame with some fabric on the back! Here’s to a creative year ahead!!
I’m a certified journaling coach and I love everything about this. Bringing journaling to the forefront in a way that is doable and beyond venting on the page.
Group project: What is on your creative calendar for 2026? Would love to hear what you are planning on making!
Loved this article!
-I’m starting a classics book club in the new year. First dinner party is scheduled! Excited to cook some fancy dinners for a few of my friends.
-Create a website for my health coaching practice
-moving into our new home next week and am so excited to make it ours.
-get in the studio with my band to record a new song
Oh your classics book club sounds so cool! What's the first book on your list?
Pride and prejudice. I’ve never read it 🫣
Junk journaling! I have stacks of ephemera that I wasn't doing anything with. My mom got me a sturdy notebook and some washi tapes for a Christmas gift. And leaning into the "junk" part of the trend has let me just start glueing some things in there!
Oh perfect! That sounds wonderful.
literally my favorite hobby of all time! i hope you love it
Filling the walls of my home with art and photos I love! And hopefully some landscaping/flower bed design in the spring and fall. :)
Love a home creative project!
I joined a cook book book club!!! We all use the same cookbook, choose a recipe, and have a dinner party. I’m delighted to finally be in a book club!!! And not be tasked with reading another book like a high school assignment ;)
My sister just got me a book of blank postcards for Christmas so I would love to draw/paint/collage on every single one this year and send them out to people I love!
I can't commit to a calendar or a project list 😅 But somewhere in the year (I hope)... digital flashcards (including some I've been working on for nouns from Dickens' era), my 4th annual vegetable/fruit garden plan, my 7th annual bullet journal, framing more of my kiddos' art to hang in the house, and just treating our traditional art supplies (in general) as being less "precious." I tend to squirrel them away because I'm still living in my college mindset where $7 for a tube of acrylic paint is insanely expensive. But, I'm an adult now and I can afford to buy another tube of acrylic paint if we run out.
Thanks for all your posts, Jenna! I feel like a kindred spirit out in the ether; picking fonts for my favorite animals even though that "wasn't the assignment."
Vegetable/fruit garden plan!! That is so incredible! Glad to hear I have a kindred animal font picker — you get it.
I’m looking forward to finishing a crocheted blanket that I’ve been working on all year! Once I’m finally done with that, I can start to think about a new project 😁 Maybe a baby blanket, a tote bag, or a rug! I’m also looking forward to more watercolor painting and dipping my toes into digital art.
Oooo sounds like you have an amazing list!
been feeling the hosting itch recently (and so inspired by you!), so i want to plan some fun theme nights + get togethers in 2026! i can be such a homebody but i'll be living solo by June, so want to make sure i stay rooted in connection💌
YES! Do it! Can't wait to hear how it goes!
As someone who loves journaling and writing letters, yes yes yes! Bring the tangible back! Bring the long form back! Bring putting in effort but also having fun for the sake of creating for fun back!
Yes yes yes!
I’m officially inspired to treat my kitchen, my journals, and my little digital corners with more imagination this year
Wooohoo!
Soooo much JOY here! You've encouraged me to inventory my most-used items, and question if I can make them myself if/when it's time to replace :)
Pen pals, oil pastels and journaling! Love this Substack, another great read!!
Thanks sweet Emi!
This essay is so necessary in an era where we get lost in the digital world. I loved the tips, it really inspired me! Thanks for posting, and happy 2026.
Thank you for reading, Ella!
This was a great read, Jenna! I’m most excited to plan a cookbook party, decorate my kitchen with some photos from the farmers market and place my wedding vows in a frame with some fabric on the back! Here’s to a creative year ahead!!
I’m a certified journaling coach and I love everything about this. Bringing journaling to the forefront in a way that is doable and beyond venting on the page.
Glad you approve! What an incredible coaching role you have — I am sure you help so many people!
Love these fun prompts and ideas!
Thanks for reading!
Inspired by everything you post, Jenna! Can you share the iPad app you use to create your weekly menus? This is on my creative cal!!!
Yes! I use Notability like a notebook and put my menus in there!
Thank you, thank you!
So inspired by this! 💭🎉
Thanks, Evite pals!