Janessa Shaw 8/6/25 Janessa Shaw 8/6/25

Personal Statement Pending….

Writing a personal statement is supposed to be about “why law,” but it’s really about “why me.” And answering that honestly means sitting with the messy, in-between parts of my story—the parts that don’t fit neatly into a resume. This post is me thinking out loud, trying to thread together vulnerability, originality, and everything I’ve been given into something that feels like truth. Somewhere between who I was and who I’m becoming, I’m learning that two pages might be all I get—but I’m going to make every word count.

Janessa Shaw 7/30/25 Janessa Shaw 7/30/25

Originality Isn’t Dead: Imitation over Influence

In a world where everything feels like it’s been done, said, or posted before, the idea of being original can feel impossible — like chasing smoke. Algorithms tell us what to wear, how to think, and what’s worth sharing. But somewhere underneath the mimicry and marketability, there's still a pulse of something real. This post is a search for that pulse — through identity, society, and connection — and a reminder that originality isn’t about escaping influence, but transforming it into something unmistakably you.

Janessa Shaw 7/23/25 Janessa Shaw 7/23/25

Walking on Conversational Eggshells: Silence to True Self

I used to call myself an introvert, not because I didn’t like people—but because I didn’t know how to be fully seen. After years of hiding behind that label (and a pandemic that stalled everything), I’m finally finding my way back. This post is about relearning how to talk, connect, and just be comfortable with myself—and realizing I’m not the only one still figuring it out.

Janessa Shaw 7/15/25 Janessa Shaw 7/15/25

Breaking the Habit: Rediscovering Life Beyond the Screen

This weekend, away from service and screens, I realized how much time I spend scrolling through other people's lives — and how little I actually sit in my own. Here’s what a camping trip taught me about stillness, presence, and the quiet moments we tend to avoid.

Janessa Shaw 7/9/25 Janessa Shaw 7/9/25

An Old Friend: Anxiety & Accountability

This week I witnessed just how deep our collective anxiety runs—especially in the next generation. Behind the screens and silence is a feeling we all know too well. It’s not just a “kids these days” issue; it’s a mirror. And if we don’t start facing it now, we risk losing more than attention spans—we lose real connection.

Janessa Shaw 7/2/25 Janessa Shaw 7/2/25

Parable of the Belonging: Giving Space

This year, I made a quiet promise to myself: to show up more, connect deeper, and maybe even build something lasting. Inspired by The Parable of the Sower, I’ve been reflecting on what it really means to create community—not just to find like-minded people, but to grow with those willing to care, sacrifice, and trust. For the first time, I feel open. Not just in posture, but in mindset. And that shift is changing everything.

Janessa Shaw 6/25/25 Janessa Shaw 6/25/25

Am I Too Broke For Joy?: Live Music, Dead Wallet

A reflection on the emotional math of adulthood—deciding whether an experience is worth the cost. It explores the tension between saving for the future and living in the moment, through the lens of a concert I almost didn’t attend. From front-row euphoria to quiet financial guilt, it’s about the choices we make, the ones we nearly miss, and the memories that remind us what it means to feel alive.

Janessa Shaw 6/18/25 Janessa Shaw 6/18/25

Speak It Into Existence: Celebratory Toast

Janessa Shaw 6/11/25 Janessa Shaw 6/11/25

Make It Mean Something: Intention Traditions

Traditions don’t have to be inherited—they can be invented. From sitcom rituals to quiet moments with family, I’ve been thinking about how we make meaning from the ordinary. It’s not about waiting for the calendar to tell you what’s important. It’s about choosing to make something matter. This week, I’m reflecting on intentionality, effort, and the beautiful, silly ways we create traditions of our own.