Unlikely maps
Helping Friendly Newsletter, 03.07.25
Every other Friday, I share 5 things to consider. On the Fridays between, I mix things up. This is a Friday between.GM! ☕️
Just 1 thing today…
When my daughter asked to make vision boards with me this winter, I was all in.
January and February roared by, and I worried we would miss our window. But we finally set a date. Then, we set the scene—art supplies, pop music, all the sugar, and, to follow the main event, takeout and a few episodes of Gilmore Girls.1 It was a haven and a whole mood. Girls night, activated.
I decided to make my vision board in my journal, so I could reference and keep it with other notes. For materials, I used print magazines, my Kokuyo Campus diary, a book of antiquarian stickers, and old fashioned Elmer’s glue (not the ideal collage adhesive, but it did the trick).
My daughter collected images online, printed them, and mounted her vision on foam board. I created three journal spreads: one for personal intentions, one for creative ambitions, and one for the work of change.
The real magic, as always, was in the making. We laughed and grumbled, and we made big messes. We let things unfold as they must. The work was slow, and our pace was patient. Most of all, the connection was strong.
Friends, when the whole world or some part of us is lost, we need unlikely maps. Where the road is wrapped in dense fog, we slow down to see the path. In a maze, a haze, or even a daze, one hand to hold can save us.
And so, these pages, which started as a lark, are guiding me in earnest. They are helping me find my way
both here and now
and in the social change ecosystem
as mother, daughter,
woman, human,
animal, earthling, and
single speck of stardust.
The great work continues…
✨
The great work continues.
Stay with the practice.
Let love increase.
✨
ICYMI, last week I shared 5 Things to Consider.
Thank you for reading. This newsletter is a labor of love. 💌 To support it, you can upgrade to a paid subscription, share this post, or engage my services. You can learn more about my work at jenniferlphillips.com.
Peace,
Jenny
P.S. more wisdom on composting the news 🌀📰🌀 by Sarah Holst👇🏼
For Gilmore Girls nerds:
and ‘s substack is fantastic—a lively trifecta of comfort TV, clever writing, and cultural analysis. Also, @ruthwilsongilmoregirls is a radical follow on social!
thanks for the shoutout, Jenny! Love a good girls night <3