"And just to be clear: you can’t muster that kind of resilient hope from within yourself. You have to draw it from something bigger, something eternal. For me, that’s the good news of the Gospel — it outlasts the rest."
1000% yes!
Felt so inspired reading this, as always! Excited for more of the joy that you'll bring to Substack in 2026!!
Last year I surrendered to being a mother of two with the joy and chaos and tiredness that came with it. This year I am on the hunt to find more whimsy and space for myself and what brings my own soul joy. I found your Substack after Christmas and it has been a pleasure to read and ponder on what makes me happy, so thank you.
Similar journey for me, too! From a full time working mom to surrendering to the fact that I have a chronic illness/disability that means I need to work from home and focus on being home with my kids more. It’s been such a shift that I was in survival mode. But the last few months I’ve been adding more whimsy, grace, and fun in and it’s made life such more joyful!
I don’t often comment on Substacks, but when I do, it WILL be for book recommendations! Here are some of my favorite whimsical reads!
- The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower (literally the most darling journals of the most interesting young woman in the late 1800s London—you will literally never love any characters more than these)
- The Flight & Flame trilogy by R.J. Anderson (this FELT like the Disney Tinker Bell movies but for young adults?)
-Caraval by Stephanie Garber and its sequels (you’ll never find a more decadent world!)
-The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale (I don’t care that this is middle grade, it’s just a classic ok)
-Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones (another middle grade classic just SO GOOD)
-City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab (ok this is also middle grade but just trust me it’s the perfect spooky but kinda cozy book ever with ghost besties)
-Dust by Kara Swanson and its sequel (a Peter Pan retelling that’s just really cute but magical and moving)
-Juniper Bean Resorts to Murder by Gracie Ruth Mitchell (a romcom murder mystery that feels like pumpkins and lollipops and that old scarf Taylor left at Jake’s sister’s house)
-Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson (whimsical fantasy to a T)
Sorry for the overload! I can talk books for hours!! Let it be known that I’ve been following you ever since your storefront, and I still use my little red “feelings aren’t facts” motel keychain to this day!! Be fan of Jenna and Feelings!
I loved your list! It made me realise how many things I did too.
I started writing on Substack, & then later I told people about it, I developed a consistent yoga practice, I started reading fiction again, I travelled to places I hadn’t been before. I’m off to write a full list of my own, thank you!
2024 held a lot of pain for me, which made it difficult to see any point in writing publicly. 2025 was the year I picked it back up again for no other reason than I had to because I love it. I enjoy your writing so much!! You pull me out of my more natural, introspective melancholy and I’ve gained so many fun tips on how to make my life more meaningful. I also love your reminder that hope has to originate from outside ourselves. Couldn’t agree more!
This was such a lovely year! Last year I also began to invite more people into my home. I hosted the events I wanted to attend and invited people I wanted to know better. In 2026 I want to create more joy and calm my day to day routine. Less screen time and more analog forms of content. Slow mornings. Sipping coffee slowly. And lots of fiction.
This year I tried slowing down and being more intentional, made space for learning, created things I’m proud of, and found a deeper appreciation for small, everyday wins.
I've been so inspired by your posts on making home feel like a restaurant and hosting more delightful. My household ended up making punch cards for our guests and friends to earn every time they come to an event + a guestbook for overnight guests!
This year I discovered a love of adventure in the outdoors and found a practice of looking for moments of joy every day! So nice to see others doing the same :)
"And just to be clear: you can’t muster that kind of resilient hope from within yourself. You have to draw it from something bigger, something eternal. For me, that’s the good news of the Gospel — it outlasts the rest."
1000% yes!
Felt so inspired reading this, as always! Excited for more of the joy that you'll bring to Substack in 2026!!
Last year I surrendered to being a mother of two with the joy and chaos and tiredness that came with it. This year I am on the hunt to find more whimsy and space for myself and what brings my own soul joy. I found your Substack after Christmas and it has been a pleasure to read and ponder on what makes me happy, so thank you.
Similar journey for me, too! From a full time working mom to surrendering to the fact that I have a chronic illness/disability that means I need to work from home and focus on being home with my kids more. It’s been such a shift that I was in survival mode. But the last few months I’ve been adding more whimsy, grace, and fun in and it’s made life such more joyful!
I don’t often comment on Substacks, but when I do, it WILL be for book recommendations! Here are some of my favorite whimsical reads!
- The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower (literally the most darling journals of the most interesting young woman in the late 1800s London—you will literally never love any characters more than these)
- The Flight & Flame trilogy by R.J. Anderson (this FELT like the Disney Tinker Bell movies but for young adults?)
-Caraval by Stephanie Garber and its sequels (you’ll never find a more decadent world!)
-The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale (I don’t care that this is middle grade, it’s just a classic ok)
-Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones (another middle grade classic just SO GOOD)
-City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab (ok this is also middle grade but just trust me it’s the perfect spooky but kinda cozy book ever with ghost besties)
-Dust by Kara Swanson and its sequel (a Peter Pan retelling that’s just really cute but magical and moving)
-Juniper Bean Resorts to Murder by Gracie Ruth Mitchell (a romcom murder mystery that feels like pumpkins and lollipops and that old scarf Taylor left at Jake’s sister’s house)
-Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson (whimsical fantasy to a T)
Sorry for the overload! I can talk books for hours!! Let it be known that I’ve been following you ever since your storefront, and I still use my little red “feelings aren’t facts” motel keychain to this day!! Be fan of Jenna and Feelings!
I loved your list! It made me realise how many things I did too.
I started writing on Substack, & then later I told people about it, I developed a consistent yoga practice, I started reading fiction again, I travelled to places I hadn’t been before. I’m off to write a full list of my own, thank you!
I love reading each one of your posts! Last year I made a goal to try one new thing a month, and it was very fun
2024 held a lot of pain for me, which made it difficult to see any point in writing publicly. 2025 was the year I picked it back up again for no other reason than I had to because I love it. I enjoy your writing so much!! You pull me out of my more natural, introspective melancholy and I’ve gained so many fun tips on how to make my life more meaningful. I also love your reminder that hope has to originate from outside ourselves. Couldn’t agree more!
This was such a lovely year! Last year I also began to invite more people into my home. I hosted the events I wanted to attend and invited people I wanted to know better. In 2026 I want to create more joy and calm my day to day routine. Less screen time and more analog forms of content. Slow mornings. Sipping coffee slowly. And lots of fiction.
This year I tried slowing down and being more intentional, made space for learning, created things I’m proud of, and found a deeper appreciation for small, everyday wins.
Every time I read your works I feel the little spark of whimsy in me grow! Thank you thank you thank you ⭐️⭐️
I went back to ballet after having not done it since I was 6. It brings me so much joy, but also feels so amazing.
Love this! Can’t wait to hear more about how faith transforms you and what you’re cooking in the kitchen 🙌
Thanks Jenna for your inspirational ideas and thoughtful reflections!
An activity I enjoyed this year was creating and organizing communal art projects.
My favorite was when I had all of the guests at my housewarming party add to a canvas that I now have in my living room wall:)
I've been so inspired by your posts on making home feel like a restaurant and hosting more delightful. My household ended up making punch cards for our guests and friends to earn every time they come to an event + a guestbook for overnight guests!
You being the Creative Director of your kitchen reminds me of the movie Julie & Julia! Love this!
In 2025 I loved knitting, making cookies and congee, picking buckets of tomatoes, and working on a quilt.
This year I discovered a love of adventure in the outdoors and found a practice of looking for moments of joy every day! So nice to see others doing the same :)