The Posts & Pieces

 Moments in Time

Parable of the Belonging: Giving Space
Friendships & Intimacy, Becoming Janessa Shaw Friendships & Intimacy, Becoming Janessa Shaw

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.

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

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.

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Make It Mean Something: Intention Traditions
Dreams & Direction Janessa Shaw Dreams & Direction Janessa Shaw

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.

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