Dear Self With Love

• the call to cocoon 🐛

  Hi readers and listeners, I’ve felt a major shift in energy as we moved into 2025. In addition to measuring this year in loaves of bread baked instead of newsletters, I’ve been feeling a deep call to cocoon and go inward. I’m not totally sure what this Substack space will look like on the other side — so as I take a pause, I wanted to let you know you won’t hear from me for awhile. Which also means I’m pausing paid subscriptions (thank you to those of you who throw me $5 dollars for creating every single month…it means more than I can express). I will let you all know what emerges on the other side! Here in Wisconsin we are having a major winter snowstorm and the Leo Full Moon sound bath that was scheduled for tonight at Lynden Sculpture Garden was canceled due to the weather. The meditation I prepared for the event was asking to be shared when I woke up this morning. So until the other side, I leave you with this little update and heart-centric meditation that I hope feels like a balm for you this evening. With so much love,Jenna P.S. If you’ve been feeling a call to cocoon as well, take this as your sign! Let it be your permission slip! Trust that this pull means there is something waiting for you in the stillness of solitude. Something that needs your full attention ❤️ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jennaknapp.substack.com

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• dear january

  And just like that, we’re one month into 2025.I don’t know about you, but January felt like 10 years worth of life experiences in 30 days?? So much happened!Is this true for you to? Do you need a moment to slow down and catch your breath before we head into February energy? I got you. This month’s photos encapsulate four big moments that happened this month. And what’s funny is that this is just the tip of the iceberg! January was truly the definition of quantum. In so many ways. Whether you are a DSWL Planner user or not, this audio workshop is here to offer you heart-felt end of the month reflections, a guided meditation to help you pause in-between the energy of January and February, and make space for the new month ahead! I’m so happy you’re here and taking this time for yourself! What You Can Expect —* Reflection questions to help you connect with all that unfolded in January * A short guided mediation in the middle of this workshop to help you sit in-between the energies of January and February and tune into your inner child* A brain dump & extra support check-in for the month of February * February Goals, affirmations, habit tracking and self-love promptsWhat You Need For The Audio Workshop —* 40ish minutes * A quiet cozy place you can nestle into without distractions * Your DSWL Planner, journal or blank paper* Your fav writing utensils* Environment enhancers to satisfy the senses and make this space intentional — hot tea, your favorite candle, fidgets, your coziest blanket, and some background music that makes you happy!When you’re done, let me know in the comments what your January wins were so we can cheer you on! I’ll meet you there!👇With Love,Jenna This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jennaknapp.substack.com

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  26:34
• dear december

  Dear December, You beautiful whirlwind. You glorious time warp. You delicious pile of spaghetti twirled up around my fork, with noodles that keep on going (thank you Ben for this important metaphor for December). 🍝Every year I try with all my might to make you slow down, so I can savor you. But something about this year felt faster than ever. Christmas snuck up on me, but at least there was snow on the ground. And so many beautiful neighborhood lights. I’m grateful for your quickness, I know you zoomed by because you were filled with magic, expansion, and deep reflection. I know these are all good reasons, but still I’m wrapping up this month with the inspiration to create the presence I crave to feel in December, all year long.December, you are a threshold. A bridge that invites me to look back and move forward. The great motivator. The great optimist. The provider of a chapter closed. The promise of a new page. A new day coming. You took good care of me, and gave me so many reasons to see how good 2025 is going to be. You blessed me and reminded me that love and Christmas lights are more important than fictional deadlines we set for ourself. You allowed me to travel in a snowstorm to see my niece’s adoption become finalized. You allowed me to spend Christmas with my other niece, cuddled up and playing pretend all night long. You allowed me good food and time with friends. You gifted me memorable moments by the fire with my family. Dear December, you’re not over. There are still a few days to receive your blessings. To soak up your magic. To pass through your portal. May it be one amazing moment after another. With love,Jenna If you are feeling sentimental about December like me, I invite you into this space of reflection. Whether you are a DSWL Planner user or not, this audio workshop is here to offer you heart-felt end of the month reflections, a guided meditation to help you pause in-between the energy of December and January, and make space for the new year ahead! I’m so happy you’re here and taking this time for yourself! What You Can Expect —* Reflection questions to help you connect with all that unfolded in December * A 13 minute guided mediation in the middle of this workshop to help you build a bridge between December and January * A brain dump & extra support check-in for the month of January * January Goals, affirmations, habit tracking and self-love promptsWhat You Need For The Audio Workshop —* 45ish minutes * A quiet cozy place you can nestle into without distractions * Your DSWL Planner, journal or blank paper* Your fav writing utensils* Environment enhancers to satisfy the senses and make this space intentional — hot cocoa, that candle you got as a gift, fidgets, your coziest sweater, and some background music that makes you happy!When you’re done, let me know in the comments what your December highlights were and/or what your 2025 word of the year is going to be! I’ll meet you there!👇With Love,Jenna The 2025 Planners are almost gone! There are still a couple of 2025 Dear Self With Love planners left! Grab one for yourself! Grab one for a friend! Grab one for your client! Grab one for your therapist! Grab one for your Granny! When you buy this hand-bound planner you are supporting me directly (you can’t get more direct than this, baby!) — a queer neurodivergent business owner! I am so grateful for your support! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jennaknapp.substack.com

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  32:16
• dear november

  Dear, November. You complicated roller coaster of emotions, you. You rocked us to our core with the election. You gifted us with unusually warmer weather. You blessed us with plates of Granny’s dressing. As cliche as it may sound, I stood in front of the Hallmark Thanksgiving Cards the other night while running errands anticipating our full day of family on Thursday. As I stood in front of the cards — my eyes welled up with tears. I don’t explicitly celebrate Thanksgiving. I haven’t since I saw this MTV Decoded video 9 years ago that rocked baby Jenna to her core. That short video came into my life around the same time that I was learning so much about racism in America, actively protesting the death of Dontre Hamilton at the hands of Milwaukee Police, and reading books like, Lies My Teacher Told Me, by James Loewen. I still take the day to eat good food and be with family. But I’m not afraid to go out of my way and remind my family each year that it’s a genocidal holiday. So — why were my eyes welling in the Hallmark card aisle? Because I started to imagine how I might be able to put into words the gratitude I feel for my mom and both of Taj’s Grannies for how they’ve all supported us over this past year.Because I started to remember the magic of last holiday season. Before Taj got sick.There I was, with a quivering lip and glitter covered hands flooded with the realization that we get to have another holiday season together this year. So I indulged. I got the cards and wrote from the heart. I cooked all my favorite family recipes. I held Taj’s hand as much as I could. I smiled at the Christmas lights that suddenly popped up across the city. I danced with my niece until I was sweating and dizzy. I enjoyed three different kinds of pies and my mom’s famous strawberry pretzel salad.I gave into the gratitude of the season ❤️Whether gratitude was able to find you this November or not, I hope you’re taking good care of yourself as we transition into the last month of 2024. Whether you are a DSWL Planner user or not, this audio workshop is here to offer you heart-felt end of the month reflections, a guided hypnosis to help you pause in-between November and December and an opportunity to map out your December so you’re able to be present in this final month of the year.What You Can Expect —* Reflection questions to help you connect with all that unfolded in November * I’m bringing out one of my favorite hypnosis tracks from the archives to share with you for this month’s workshop. Drop into Gratitude Elevator, a 20 minute guided hypnosis adventure that’ll take you to experiences you’re grateful for so you can evoke gratitude on a cellular level. * A brain dump & extra support check-in for the month of December * December Goals, affirmations, habit tracking and self-love promptsWhat You Need For The Audio Workshop —* 60ish minutes * A quiet cozy place you can curl up without distractions * Your DSWL Planner, journal or blank paper* Your fav writing utensils* Environment enhancers to satisfy the senses and make this space intentional — hot tea, your favorite incense, fidgets, your coziest blanket, a frequency you can get lost in (I’m obsessed with Canyon Echos by Diana Lopez right now), you get the idea ;) Will you tell me how November treated you? What’s on your heart going into December? With Love,Jenna The 2025 Planners are here! Grab your 2025 Dear Self With Love planner early! When you Shop Small today - Monday, December 2nd you’ll save 20% on your planner! Grab one for yourself! Grab one for a friend! Grab one for your client! Grab one for your therapist! Grab one for your Granny! When you shop small with Dear Self With Love you are supporting me directly (you can’t get more direct than this, baby!) — a queer neurodivergent business owner! I am so grateful for your support! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jennaknapp.substack.com

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  38:53
• Passing Notes EP 2: Flirting With Deadlines & The Hard Side Of Hyper-fixation

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit jennaknapp.substack.comHey, hey! Good news — I survived the vulnerability hangover that washed over me after I pressed publish on Passing Note’s first episode two weeks ago. Not only did I survive, I had some really wonderful conversations about queerness, psychics, and the current political climate of the world with a few of you ❤️It all made me want to keep going, to keep sharing, to keep getting vulnerable. Because that’s where the gold is. When we say the scary things out loud, we create space for other people to say their own scary things out loud. In this second episode of Passing Notes, I’m diving deep into what it’s like to go after big creative hands-on projects (like designing, printing, and hand binding 286 page planners) while living with ADHD. So often the internet seems to cope with ADHD as something that is cute or funny. I participate because humor helps everything, but lately I’ve been feeling the weight of my ADHD differently while navigating year three of producing my self-love annual planners. BTS!!! Sneak peek!!!! 2025 DSWL Planners drop in the shop this Saturday!Last night I recorded my second Passing Notes Podcast episode about how my time perception challenges and hyper-fixation negatively impact me and my nervous system when pushing to finish big creative projects like this.It’s not cute. It’s really really hard. I LOVE this project. It means so much to me to have enough people interested in purchasing year after year. It means so much to me that I get to keep going. A part of me hesitated recording this because I don’t want people to think I don’t love creating the planners. Isn’t that silly? I’m pressing publish because I think it’s a really important conversation to have — to talk about loving something and having a hard time with it too. The internet does a very good job of making us believe that if we are doing something we love, it shouldn’t be hard. I call BS! I’m passionate about having this conversation with others who may also belittle the bigness of their own projects and how major it is to cross the finish line as a person living with ADHD 🏁 I want to celebrate you. I want to celebrate me. I want to celebrate US! We’re making magic against all odds. This is your reminder to give yourself grace if you also experience difficulty with the creative process, or deadlines. Let’s normalize how natural it is to feel all these complex big feelings at once. YOU are birthing ideas into the world out of thin air. YOU are making something that never existed before. That’s pretty f*****g phenomenal. With Love,Jenna

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