I remember sitting in our old house, with summer still lingering and the crisp chill of fall not far off. It was that pocket of time between August 15th and the end of September when I was hyper-focused on a big thing I had just accomplished.
I’d started a blog.
It was 2013, and I was firmly in my I’m so proud of myself; I finally did it! stage. I was also beginning to wonder, What now? What do I want this thing to look like?
As it turns out, I seem to ask myself that same question every year after my blog anniversary rolls around.
Some years, I make a big deal of it. I celebrate and post about the milestone. Other years, August 15th creeps up on me, and I realize the website has been on autopilot for too many weeks (or months). That’s when I think, Oh, crap. I need to update this thing!
This year, Swirl & Spark turned thirteen. Thirteen!
And once again, I’m in that season of wondering what’s next. Only this time, it didn’t take me by surprise. Swirl & Spark has been on my mind a lot lately, even if it hasn’t necessarily looked that way from the outside.
As my passion project heads into its teenage years, it feels like the right time for a change. But, much like with an actual teenager, I don’t want to lose what makes her special. I want to help her grow into her next chapter with a little love, a little imagination, and some innovative thinking.
Because here’s the thing: I’ve evolved, too. And it’s time for this space to reflect that.
Swirl & Spark has become more than a passion project, an author website, or a place to share books and team-building tips. It’s a home for the many ways I love to spark creativity, from stories and imaginative activities to innovative teams and creative college guidance.
In other words, it’s become
Swirl & Spark: Creative Possibilities for Curious Minds.
And now, this website is beginning to reflect that bigger picture!
I’ve been rethinking how everything fits together, making room for the different ways I work with curious minds, and giving the site a fresh look at where Swirl & Spark is today—and where it might go next.
I’d love for you to take a peek at the updated [Home Page] and [About Jackie] page to see what I mean.
Thirteen years in, there are still plenty of ideas swirling around here. And I have a feeling this next chapter is going to bring some pretty big sparks!
Thank you for being here. Whether you just found the site or have been here awhile, it means so much to me!
