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Do you have any hobbies? Or is there anything you’ve been secretly wanting to learn? For the last few years, the Cup of Jo team has loved Skillshare, the online community that’s great for sparking creativity. You can explore everything from interior design to photography to time management (and everything in between). Here are a few classes we’ve loved lately…
Creative Transformation: Nine Exercises to Draw, Write, and Discover Your Future
“Sometimes I have trouble thinking about the future without worrying, and wanted a way to help me look forward to it, without dreading it,” says Kim, our editorial assistant. This class, led by writer and illustrator Mari Andrew, helps you unlock your creativity, and draw (or write) what you’d like your future to look like — anything from five years down the road, to who you’ll be as a grandparent. “I found myself drawing my future self as a published author, living on the west coast with my significant other and our dog, Jack! It was so comforting to think of my future self, through the perspective of wonder and possibility.”
Style Your Space: Creative Tips and Techniques
In her hit class, author and stylist Emily Henderson teaches you to discover your own personal home style — and what to do once you’ve found it. The class, which has had over 8,000 students, touches on everything from styling a room in real time to practical tips for buying vintage furniture on Craigslist. A rapid-fire style quiz kicks off the class. “I got ‘mid century modern’, which lines up with the style we have at home,” says Joanna. “I also found myself drawn to the warmth of the ‘Traditional’ style and found great tips for combining the two.” Our favorite tip from the course: “You need a jumping off point — a great rug, a piece of art, a statement sofa — that excites you and gives the room intention and pulls the rest of the room together.” So simple.
Modern Money Habits: 5 Steps to Build the Life You Want
We also enjoyed this new class by Wall Street investment-banker-turned-freelance-photographer Justin Bridges. He shares his five-step approach to managing money, in a way that is incredibly approachable and down-to-earth. “Don’t put undue pressure on yourself”, he says. “It’s possible for everybody!” If you’re looking to build a basic financial framework (who isn’t?), this video is for you.
Creative Writing: The Opinion Essay
Last but certainly not least, bestselling author and Cup of Jo contributor Kelsey Miller has a new class about writing. And there is no better (or more lovable) guide. “You can have an opinion on anything you want! It’s a free country! But when it comes to opinion writing, you really want to start with what you know.” Kelsey walks you through what makes a good opinion essay, including how to structure it and even how to pitch it once you’re done.
There are thousands of other wonderful classes, including author Mary Karr’s class on how to write a memoir and calligraphy and hand lettering, including a class taught by our officemate, Doris Fullgrabe. If you’re curious, you can browse all 25,000 classes here.
Bonus for all readers: Today, Skillshare is offering Cup of Jo readers two months free! You can sign up for a Premium Membership, which will give you access to their entire catalog of classes, here. (Note: A credit card is required for sign-up, but you won’t be charged until the two-month trial period is up, and you can cancel at any time.) Thank you so much, Skillshare!
What new creative skills would you most like to learn? Do you take any classes in your free time? We’d love to hear.
(Photos of Kim by Christine Han for Cup of Jo. This post is sponsored by Skillshare, whose classes we have loved for years. Thanks for supporting the brands that help keep Cup of Jo running.)
