January Check In, Soft Beginnings, and What’s Unfolding
January often arrives quietly.
A month that doesn’t ask us to rush forward, but instead to pause, to breathe, and to remember that we are still in the heart of winter.
It can be easy to feel like we should have everything mapped out by now, but this season reminds us to be kind to ourselves, to move gently, and to allow plans to unfold in their own time.
For us at the Life Space Project, January has been a real foundation-setting month, with some wonderful developments already beginning to bloom.
Here’s a little update from across our projects.
Our Intentions for the Year
As we move into this new year, the intentions behind Life Styling and the Life Space Project feel clear and deeply rooted.
This year, we are choosing to create with:
Joy. Softness. Nature. Colour. Flow.
We want our work to continue offering gentle spaces where people can pause, breathe, and feel inspired again, rooted in the natural world and held by community.
At the centre of everything is a deep intention to support our creative community, bringing people together across ages and backgrounds, and nurturing a culture of creativity, care, and connection.
We believe culture is something we create together, through shared experiences, local stories, making, and the small moments that bring meaning into everyday life.
We are especially drawn this year to the idea of creating Moments of Joy together in public spaces, small creative offerings that brighten familiar places, invite people to pause outdoors, and feel part of something welcoming.
Little sparks of art, nature, culture, and community woven into the world around us.
Creative Climate Champions
This month we’ve been back into our monthly sessions at Caldecott and Thameside, and it has been so special to return to these creative spaces together.
Alongside developing our patches and creative pieces, we have been exploring climate hopes through gentle making, reflection, and identity-led creativity.
Each participant created their own Climate Pledge, a small promise of care for the world around them.
Some beautiful examples include:
“I will look after nature by noticing it more.”
“I will reuse and re-imagine instead of throwing away.”
“I will speak up for the planet in my own way.”
“I will create things that help others feel hope.”
Small words, big meaning, and so much unique sparkle in each one.
Creative Me
Creative Me has taken a fresh, low-pressure approach this month.
Rather than rushing ahead, we’ve been celebrating what was created last year, and gently feeling into what direction each individual would like their creativity to move toward next.
It has been a space of reflection, encouragement, and possibility, with each person beginning to shape their own creative path in a way that feels true for them.
Creative Me - Climate Pledge for 2026
Bright Hearts 💞 Intergenerational Connection
We had a fantastic intergenerational preparation session this month and were so happy to welcome back Crystaljax, bringing warmth, creativity, and heart-centred reflection.
Together we explored:
What does helping look like?
How do we support each other gently?
What does it mean to create from the heart?
Our next Bright Hearts session will take place next month at Bridge House, and we are currently doing local outreach to connect with older people in the community who may be feeling isolated.
We still have two spaces available for older participants, and the sessions are designed to be welcoming, simple, and supportive.
Each session includes:
A gentle welcome into the space
Light creative activities (no experience needed)
Conversation, connection, and shared making
A warm sense of belonging across generations
If you know someone who might enjoy joining us, please do reach out.
Bloom Pop-Ups 🌿 Coming in March
From March onwards, you will start to see us regularly out and about in South Abingdon, with free monthly creative pop-ups rooted in nature, imagination, and community skill-sharing.
These will be low-barrier outdoor moments of creativity, where anyone can pause, join in, and feel part of something uplifting.
And if you are a creative yourself, we would love to hear from you, there are opportunities to get involved in these sessions.
Thursday Club at Didcot Hospital + Nature Boards
We’ve also been continuing gentle creative connections through Thursday Club at Didcot Hospital, and beginning work on new nature-based boards and prompts that will be part of our outdoor wellbeing and community projects this year.
Studio Move ✨
A personal update too, I’m now exiting my Makespace desk and warmly beginning the process of creating a dedicated studio space.
This feels like a meaningful transition, making room for deeper focus, more making, and a home for Life Space Project creativity to grow.
Thank you
Thank you, as always, for being part of this growing community.
January reminds us that foundations matter. Quiet steps matter. Rest matters.
Creativity doesn’t need to be rushed, it needs space to breathe.
With warmth and gratitude,
Jess
✨ Re-imagining, creating, and building connection together