jessjanz

I have been here the whole time.

Everything is achy and awful kind of and we are all we have. The smallest, next right thing is never a bad idea. Don’t let the “what difference does this make” sneak in and keep you from infusing the world with softness, consideration, and kindness.

What minuscule good have you witnessed this week?

Time is a cruel thing invented to ruin the days of artists with ADHD because what do you mean I can’t do nine tasks in five minutes and what do you mean the date is the same but the day of the week is different and what do you mean ‘milestone of achievement’ and ‘brunch is at 10am sharp’ it’s just not making sense no thank you

Trying to think about what I could tell you about this year and how it felt and who I am now and what I want and what to do with any of it and I hardly even know but anyway here’s what it’s sounded like in my mind for the last 400 or so days

I think we ask people ‘what do you want to accomplish’ which is sort of like asking ‘what do you want to accumulate’ and we forget to ask ‘how do you want to feel in your life everyday’ and that’s where a lot of the plot gets mangled up.

Hi I’m Jess ✨ I’m a question asker, a left-handed angsty creative, a deep feeler and moderate over-thinker, and I would love to meet you.

I make spaces for people to gather, slow down, take off the labels we usually lead with, and talk about what binds us all together as humans on this strange planet.

Here’s a bit of the story about how it started, how it’s going, why I keep choosing this work even on the hard days, and why there’s always room for one more chair at the table… and how we can work together to bring all of this to the people that you’re gathering with.

If anything here feels familiar, I’m really glad you found your way here.

There’s a seat for you. 🤍

📸PHOTO CRED📸
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It’s the beginning of December, but I’m already thinking about the new year (good riddance). And in case you’re right there with me (or want to add this to your Christmas list), I’ve got an invitation for you:

January is not for transforming our lives. January is for soup. And reading. January is for anchoring ourselves to ritual to carry us softly through the winter months.

It’s also a fresh page, an invitation to shed what needs to be shed and to reorient ourselves towards what we’re hungry for.

BEGIN AGAIN is a gentle four-week workshop for reflection, intention, and steady momentum into the new year. We’ll gather each Sunday in January for journaling, small-group conversations, and thoughtful guidance to help you make sense of the year you lived and step into the next one with clarity.

You don’t need a perfect plan.

Just bring one part of your life that’s asking for attention.

Two ways to join:
🌿 the full live experience
🌙 the self-guided edition

Details + registration at jessjanz.com.
Let’s begin again, gently. 🤍

Never been one for counting or tallies or measurements just kinda eyeballing this thing called life you know what I mean

Thinking about the ways that my aunt’s impact and legacy is stitched like a pocket into my DNA makes me realize how our goodness and care and attention ripples out so much further than we often realize.

Make a cup of tea in your favourite mug, write a note on purple paper, call someone you love ‘sweet pea’ today, for Mimi. 💕

Had a great time on Sunday pretending to box 🥊 with old pals for Coffees & Combos at and hosted by , all in support of .fam - the proceeds from the day are providing 170 fresh meals to folks in our community 💪🏼

Always fun to get out of my comfort zone and make a bit of a fool of myself FOR THE CHILDREN 😅

Thanks and for bringing us together!

📸: .ca

I asked people who got tickets for our upcoming event, ‘Talking With Strangers: Hope Is A Team Sport!’ to share something that’s been giving them hope lately, and here are just a few of their responses!

I love that we can crowdsource the good stuff, like inspiration and thoughtfulness and ways to be kind to each other.

What would you add?

We have a few tickets left for Talking With Strangers! It’s happening tomorrow at at 6:30. Save your spot at with-strangers.co

Turns out wow it hurts to be alive. Everything is impossible and our ability to reach for each other and advocate for each other and insist on a better way is the antidote, the starting point, the only way out.