This is the antidote to LinkedIn culture. Your story proves that careers don't have to be neat upward trajectories - they can be spirals, loops, comebacks. The fact that your students unknowingly named their project 'Restore' gave me chills. Sometimes the universe has a sense of poetry we can't see until we're looking back.
The Restore name still gets me! And yes! I feel like I know very few people that have had the LinkedIn career trajectory. Life outside of work pushes us in new directions. And I agree, things get good when we are open to exploring what’s new!
Immensely inspired by you, Jenna! I'm decades older than you, but we vibe hard. :) You feel familiar to me, maybe because you remind me of my younger self. All to say: keep going! Keep dreaming! Huge congrats! 🎈
Hey Jenna! I always enjoy reading your essays. We are very different in a lot of ways, and your zest and entrepreneurial spirit encourages me to be daring & bold & dream. Thanks!
Oh I really need this right now! I mean I literally opened Substack wanting to look for stories like this, and your post popped up first on my feed- freaky and cool! I relate to so much of your childhood, experiences, and journey that it made me feel comforted of my own entrepreneurial journey. I'm feeling pretty lost and wanting to make so many big life changes. I'm much older than you, but I appreciate your wisdom and inspiration. Thanks for sharing!
As someone who just entered their twenties, reading this felt like a warm hug. I’ve always been a big dreamer, and social media has made me feel like I am constantly running out of time. I have so many things I want to do that it’s overwhelming, but hearing your take on living out your life in seasons is a concept I hope I can take with me forever. So…thank you ❤️
Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring story Jenna. I have always wanted to attempt different careers in my life as I have lots of different passions and ideas, and I think that life is too short to stick to one path. You are evidence of ‘if you want something, you can make it happen’.
Thank you for sharing all of this!!! So inspiring & hopeful. I have dreams of starting a publication of my own one day too, so thank you for the extra dose of encouragement to keep going after it! 🩵
I’ve only recently found your Substack and am loving it so far. This made me feel so inspired! And reading my own name written in your childhood notes made me feel so 🥹🥹
As someone who’s just fresh out of college and wants to pursue creative works this was all I needed 🥹💗 I feel a lot and get overwhelmed a lot, but love your substack so so so much because it’s the weekly dose of joy! You truly inspire me💌
Jules! Thank you so much for being here! Congrats on finishing college - so much good stuff is ahead once you don’t have homework. You are going to do amazing things!
Aww, i enjoyed reading this! very excited to see where your next ventures take you. I started my art journey at 28 and I’m still fumbling around trying to figure it out at 33. You’re basically my role model 😂
This is the antidote to LinkedIn culture. Your story proves that careers don't have to be neat upward trajectories - they can be spirals, loops, comebacks. The fact that your students unknowingly named their project 'Restore' gave me chills. Sometimes the universe has a sense of poetry we can't see until we're looking back.
The Restore name still gets me! And yes! I feel like I know very few people that have had the LinkedIn career trajectory. Life outside of work pushes us in new directions. And I agree, things get good when we are open to exploring what’s new!
This is ultra inspiring!!!! I’m fired up!!!
Immensely inspired by you, Jenna! I'm decades older than you, but we vibe hard. :) You feel familiar to me, maybe because you remind me of my younger self. All to say: keep going! Keep dreaming! Huge congrats! 🎈
You are so kind! Thank you for the encouragements. If we are the same - then I want all the advice, please!! Haha!
Hey Jenna! I always enjoy reading your essays. We are very different in a lot of ways, and your zest and entrepreneurial spirit encourages me to be daring & bold & dream. Thanks!
Rachel! Thank you so much for reading! 🥹 This is so kind!
Ahhh love this. I’m encouraged and inspired, can’t wait to see what God has in store!
Sweet Emi! The best is yet to come for you!!
Oh I really need this right now! I mean I literally opened Substack wanting to look for stories like this, and your post popped up first on my feed- freaky and cool! I relate to so much of your childhood, experiences, and journey that it made me feel comforted of my own entrepreneurial journey. I'm feeling pretty lost and wanting to make so many big life changes. I'm much older than you, but I appreciate your wisdom and inspiration. Thanks for sharing!
Ah! So glad you found the article! And so glad you enjoyed it too. Cheering you on in your big life changes :)
As someone who just entered their twenties, reading this felt like a warm hug. I’ve always been a big dreamer, and social media has made me feel like I am constantly running out of time. I have so many things I want to do that it’s overwhelming, but hearing your take on living out your life in seasons is a concept I hope I can take with me forever. So…thank you ❤️
You have so much time! 🤎🥹
Thank you, that means a lot to me 🥹🫶
Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring story Jenna. I have always wanted to attempt different careers in my life as I have lots of different passions and ideas, and I think that life is too short to stick to one path. You are evidence of ‘if you want something, you can make it happen’.
Thank you for reading! Go for your ideas and passions!!
The way I have been needing recipe cards!! I can't wait to see yours you share with us 🫶🏽
They are going to be really fun! So excited to share next Friday!
Thank you for sharing all of this!!! So inspiring & hopeful. I have dreams of starting a publication of my own one day too, so thank you for the extra dose of encouragement to keep going after it! 🩵
Go Abby go!
I think you're the freshest and best thing on Substack right now. I LOVE everything about it. Inspiring and energetic.
ALSO RIP SMASHBOOK. I had them too (but I was older than you). I loved loved loved Smashbooks so much. Bring them back but make it "Twenty Seven." :o)
Oh my gosh! What a compliment! Thank you!!
And yes! Smashbook was the very best!
I’ve only recently found your Substack and am loving it so far. This made me feel so inspired! And reading my own name written in your childhood notes made me feel so 🥹🥹
Hello other Jenna! There are two of us! Wow!! Thank you for reading. This is so thoughtful.
As someone who’s just fresh out of college and wants to pursue creative works this was all I needed 🥹💗 I feel a lot and get overwhelmed a lot, but love your substack so so so much because it’s the weekly dose of joy! You truly inspire me💌
Jules! Thank you so much for being here! Congrats on finishing college - so much good stuff is ahead once you don’t have homework. You are going to do amazing things!
Aww, i enjoyed reading this! very excited to see where your next ventures take you. I started my art journey at 28 and I’m still fumbling around trying to figure it out at 33. You’re basically my role model 😂
You’re so sweet!! I’m excited to see where creativity take you, too!
"I also find it worth noting to you that I have indeed taken an iPad to Starbucks, achieving that super-specific aspiration for my past self." LOL
Hahaha dreams do come true.
A notebook sounds like it would be perfect for him!