This month has a bright and playful energy, and it is the perfect time to explore creativity in simple everyday ways. Creativity does not have to mean big projects or perfect results. It can be small, gentle, and personal. It can be the way you take a photo, jot down a note, arrange a meal on a plate, or choose colors for your planner.

Creativity grows when we give ourselves permission to experiment and play. This month, try leaning into curiosity. Notice what inspires you. Pay attention to ideas that make you want to make something, even if it is tiny. Creativity often shows up in moments when we relax, follow a spark, or try something without worrying about the outcome.

The theme of joy in the everyday is something that I think about a lot. There are a lot of reasons to feel sad, scared, and angry these days. It takes a real effort to find joy and to celebrate it. Choosing joy is an important way to stay mentally healthy.

Welcome to April. The season is shifting, colors are beginning to show up again, and there is a fresh energy in the air. It is the perfect time to slow down a bit and look for joy in the small parts of your day.

Time keeps moving whether we notice it or not. Days fill up with routines, responsibilities, and small tasks. How you spend your time tells the story of what this season of life looks like. The Moments in Time theme is really about paying attention to that. Not just what happened, but where your time is going, who you are sharing it with, and what is shaping your days right now.

Welcome to March. This month always feels like we are shifting into something new. Winter slowly steps back, the light changes a little, and everything starts to wake up again. It feels like the right time to think about renewal.

Renewal does not have to be a big thing. It often shows up quietly. It might be a small change in your routine, a little more energy in your day, or a moment when something finally feels lighter. Sometimes it is as simple as looking at a part of your life with fresh eyes.

February’s theme is Love and Connection, and this month I’ve been thinking a lot about how love actually shows up in real life. Not the big, dramatic, movie-scene kind. The quiet kind. The kind that is part of everyday life.

The kind that looks like this:

At the start of the year, I shared my monthly themes for 2026 as a way to guide memory keeping, journaling, and creative projects throughout the year. I noticed last night after I sent out my newsletter (are you a subscriber?) that I had made a slight error.

Welcome to a new month. February always feels like a good time to slow down and pay attention to the relationships in our lives. While this month often gets framed around big romantic gestures, I love using it to notice the smaller, more meaningful ways love and connection show up in everyday life.

This month’s theme is Love and Connection, and it’s one of my favorites because it weaves its way through so many of our stories.

Do you pick a word for the year? I’ve been doing this every year since 2008, thanks to Ali Edwards’ "One Little Word" project. It’s a tradition I’ve grown to love—a simple way to set intentions and stay focused throughout the year. What makes it even more fun is that my whole family gets involved. Everyone picks their own word, and it’s something we talk about and cheer each other on for all year long. This year, we all “unveiled” our words as part of our family New Year’s weekend celebration.