Starting 2026 with creative, peaceful and reflective wellbeing activities
The beginning of a new year can be a time for reflection, renewal and looking ahead. Through our Wellbeing Program, we continue to create opportunities for war widows, defence and veteran families to come together in supportive spaces that nurture creativity, connection and personal wellbeing.
From all types of craft kits to reflective writing sessions and vision board workshops, our recent activities have encouraged participants to slow down and set positive intentions for the months ahead. Whether joining online or attending in person, each wellbeing activity for the months of 2026 so far have been focused on setting a good pace for the year with reflections, calm and connection.
In this post, we look back at some of the activities that started our year, highlighting the ways participants explored new beginnings, shared experiences and supported one another across our community.
Creativity and crafts
In early February, war widows and families of veterans came together over Zoom for an evening of Gem art! All hands meticulously worked on picking up and placing colourful gems onto corresponding numbers on the coasters. A participant described it as ‘being in the zone’, feeling as if they could do it all night. It was able to provide a setting to talk with each other mindlessly during the process and then leave attendees with a customised art piece to use at home.
January’s virtual seashell painting session invited war widows and veteran families to get creative! The session opened with participants reflecting on what they hoped to be mindful of in the new year, followed by a grounding activity to set a calm scene. As participants experimented with different colours, patterns and designs, conversation emerged about the memories associated with seashells. For some, they evoked recollections of visiting the beach to collect shells where families were posted in new locations; for others, they represented travel, keepsakes and moments of peace.
At the Queanbeyan Veteran and Family Hub in February, a morning of hands-on craft activities brought families together! Each attendee was provided a kit of their choice; gem art, painting sea shells, candle making, or clay art. With the variety of crafts going on, everyone had a chance to make a unique creation and see the other kits being made alongside some morning tea and chatter.
Our first paint by numbers session in March offered a calming and creative evening for families present. The session began with focus as participants settled into their artwork, with conversation gradually emerging as everyone worked through their canvases at their own pace. By the end of the hour families showed their artworks that came to life and expressed their appreciation for having freedom to use colours and techniques they liked.
Spaces for reflection and healing
Our popular Writing Through Grief sessions continued in January, with war widows and families of veterans coming together online for a reflective writing session focused on foundations and new beginnings.
Through short list-writing exercises, participants reflected on what helps them feel steady, the challenges they may be facing, and what they hope for in the year ahead. Optional sharing created moments of connection as participants listened respectfully and supported one another through shared experiences and vulnerability. The session closed with a shared sense of steadiness and reassurance, these feelings of contentment often felt after our writing sessions, a heavy reason for it becoming such a loved activity.
In January, families of veterans also joined an online vision board session designed to help participants reflect on their goals and intentions for the year ahead. Vision boards offer a creative way to visualise aspirations and stay connected to personal goals throughout the year, allowing you to transfer everything from mind to paper. Making a visually appealing board of your goals and intentions is an incredible way to kickstart any new year! During the session, participants explored the theme of identity through different sections of their boards, allowing for personal interpretation and creative freedom.
As they created their boards, participants also learned digital design techniques that can be used beyond the session. Those who felt comfortable shared parts of their vision boards with the group, sparking thoughtful conversations about identity, growth and the importance of prioritising wellbeing. Each board reflected something unique about its creator and their hopes for the future.
“I really enjoyed this activity and how it is not super structured and I can make it my own and I am looking forward to doing more things for myself and seeing how I can explore my identity,” one participant shared.
In January, defence and veteran families gathered in Canberra for a calming sound healing session at Flow and Food Yoga and Ayurveda. Participants of all ages were guided through a restorative experience, immersing themselves in soothing sounds and vibrations designed to promote relaxation and mindfulness.
The peaceful setting allowed attendees to recharge and reconnect. Sessions like these provide a different pathway to wellbeing, encouraging participants to focus mostly on rest, reflection and self-care, giving everyone a moment to ask themselves, ‘what does self-care look like for me?’ It is a great question to ask oneself, as self-care can be different for everyone, and practiced differently. Ask yourself, what does self-care look like for you?
These activities are just some of the variety of activities available through our Wellbeing Program. If you missed out or are looking for other ways to get involved, stay tuned for upcoming activities designed to support and connect war widows, defence and veteran families of all kinds. Subscribe to our Wellbeing Newsletter so you don’t miss a thing!
