creative list writing that weaves together
intention, reflection, imagination, and more
Just Five Things
five days…
to pause,
to be intentional,
to play with words.
For this session, I'll be returning to five prompts and essays from past years, lightly reshaping each essay. We’ve had so many prompts over 10+ years together! Dusting off existing content will allow me to keep things consistent in our community (I know many of you love the holiday session as much as I do!) while I currently navigate a transitional season. I'm offering this round on a pay-what-you-can basis.
When you register, you’ll receive an email with a link to my Buy Me a Coffee page where you can make a donation of your choice.
Can you sign up for free? Yep, you absolutely can!
Donations made will support those who need financial wiggle room and will, of course, support me in nurturing this playful + reflective writing community (i.e., YOU).
* a special note for the 2026 holiday session:
Life is full and sometimes fast. Caught up in daily doings, we sometimes miss the finer points; we sometimes miss opportunities for presence.
There’s the swirling steam from our morning cuppa. There’s the light filtering through the curtain and dappling the wall. There’s our own mood.
Did we catch it?
Tapping into our innate creativity (we are all creative),
we’ll slow our pace, take note, and celebrate.
For five days, we’ll create with words.
We’ll write simple lists, just five things.
Write it, or type it. Think it, and feel it.
Just get it down. Just five things.
You can do that.
And we’ll do it together.
5 days of making lists
Holiday Session: December 7-11, 2026
Cost: $27
this session is pay-what-you-can
*once you register, you’ll receive an email
containing the link for making a donation
via my Buy Me a Coffee page
this class is playful, and soulful.
and it just might surprise you.
There’s a lot tucked into these lists.
WHAT YOU NEED
• paper and pen, or preferred digital method
(though I highly recommend analog)
• the intention to pause three times each day and write just five things
• an open heart and mind
WHAT’S INCLUDED
• 5 prompts
• 5 mini-essays inspired by the prompts
• a private online space to share (not FB)
do you need to work through the prompts on specific class days??
nope! you can work through the prompts on your own timeline.
sharing in the community space will occur during the active class session, but
access to the classroom and prompts will be available for a full month after the last day of class.
a.
“The richness of these small ‘just’ five things will surprise you in the best possible ways, I’m ready to sign up as soon as another version appears.”
why lists?
I’m mildly obsessed with list making.
It’s my go-to writing practice.
Lists feel friendly to me. They're approachable, doable. They're an un-intimidating format for exploring and recording pretty much everything.
For over a decade, I’ve worked with hundreds of students in the crafting of creative lists. These are lists rich in questions, reflections, and imaginings.
I curate new prompts and write fresh essays for each class. Participants often tell me they enjoy the daily essays as much as they enjoy writing their lists.
stephanie
“You are such a rarity in this world with the way you are able to feel for others. What a rich gift that you use
so generously. xo”
juliann
“I love making lists and the concept of revisiting those lists over the course of the day is brilliant! This class was a lovely opportunity to go beyond the getting things done lists I make so often and gave me the chance to dig deeper and find connections.”
jen
“Just Five Things helped me to re-discover the importance of pausing throughout my days. Pausing and listing my feelings, thoughts, dreams, to-dos helped me to slow down even just for a moment and focus deeply on the right now. Michelle’s prompts, gentle guidance and encouragement were just what I needed at this time to get back into the habit of centering myself throughout my day. Just Five Things will remain a part of my days long after the class is finished!”
Sign up hereto be notified when registration opens for new sessions.
shannon
“Even though I wasn’t an active participant in the classroom space, or even able to access wifi for the duration of the class, the daily prompts worked wonderfully well in my own time and space. They served as gentle yet tenacious nudges that lingered in my thoughts throughout the days. And, I found the list writing to be a simple though revealing practice, and one that has happily led to more writing. I’m grateful to you Michelle, for your offerings as well as the supportive space you’ve created in which to explore them…xo.”
angel
“we’ve just wrapped up what was, i believe, my third round of Michelle’s Just Five Things and i have to tell you… each time i have wondered whether i might not get much from doing another round (because we’re doing the same thing again, right?), but it never ever feels that way once we get started. and this time actually felt even more deep and meaningful to me than the first time (almost as if i’m able to settle in more deeply each time)! the community that Michelle encourages and creates, the posts she shares for each day, the quotes, the prompts, and then the conversation among the community of humans… it’s just such a filling and connecting experience. i highly recommend Just Five Things, and anything that Michelle offers!”
“Just enter the heat of words and sounds and colored sensations and keep your pen moving across the page.”
~ Natalie Goldberg ~
WHY WRITE WITH ME?
Besides my degree in English and Fine Arts from Tufts University, I’m also a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher.
This training helps me work with you in blending practices like yoga/meditation + writing/art + mindful living. It’s a pretty good combination.
Also? I've been writing lists for, um, forever. But not just to-do lists. Thoughtful, soulful lists that help me ask questions and dig deep.
The community that gathers to write lists is always (always) spectacular. Wanna spend time with beautiful humans as you write creative lists? This is for you. xo
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Notes invite you to pause and notice, to savor the world around you.
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