My Creative New Year: Jordy Vandeput

We’ve officially reached the time of year when we have to start following through on all those resolutions we made at the very end of 2025. It’s exciting, empowering, and, sure, a little daunting. To get over the hump, we asked some of our favorite Skillshare instructors to share their goals and hopes for 2026 and how they plan to stay inspired and ready to create.

Meet Filmmaker and Youtuber, Jordy Vandeput

This week, we’re spotlighting Jordy Vandeput, a filmmaker and film teacher who is heading into 2026 with plans to focus on giving his creativity the space to breathe by spending time learning new skills, staying in shape, and, perhaps most importantly, staying happy by making art on his own terms.

Tell us about a memorable experience, object, or moment from last year.

One of my favorite things about 2025 wasn't a movie or book, it was simply spending more time with my parents. It's easy to let work and life goals push these moments aside, so I made a conscious choice to flip that priority. Looking back, those hours together were easily the most valuable part of my year.

What’s one lesson you’re bringing forward into 2026?

In 2025, I stepped completely outside my comfort zone and learned to bake pizza from scratch—a world away from my usual technical work. It took months of trial and error, countless imperfect doughs, and plenty of patience before I finally got it right. What struck me most wasn't just mastering the skill itself, but discovering how energizing it is to be a complete beginner at something again. That sense of challenge and growth reminded me why continuous learning matters, even (or especially) when it has nothing to do with your day job. In 2026, I'm committed to finding another "random" skill to pursue—because that excitement of starting from zero is something I want to keep alive. Plus, all my friends and family loved that I can make pizza for them now.

How do you like to start your year? Are there any rituals or routines that help you set the tone for the months ahead?

I start every year by doing the most unoriginal thing imaginable: vowing to exercise more. Revolutionary, I know. But here's the thing; as a creative who lives behind a screen, ignoring physical movement is basically a fast-track to both a stiff back and a foggy brain. So yes, I'm that person signing up for sports in January, perfectly aware of the eye-rolls this deserves, but also knowing that my best ideas don't come from my desk chair, they come after I've actually used my body for something other than typing.

What’s your creative or professional focus for 2026?

In 2026, I would like to restart my YouTube channel. I walked away a couple years ago when my work-life balance collapsed, but the break taught me what I was missing: the pure creative side of making videos. I'm excited to dive back in, but differently this time: focused on the craft, not the scale.

What’s one new skill or habit you’re committing to this year?

Building a custom table. I know, random choice for someone who's definitely more comfortable with a keyboard than power tools. But I love the idea of creating something physical with my admittedly clumsy hands. The challenge is half the appeal, and actually finishing it would be incredibly rewarding.

Are there any tools, apps, or methods you’re leaning on this year to organize your projects or creative life?

Less about specific tools, more about protecting my creative energy. I'm leaning heavily into automation and AI this year, not to replace the creative work, but to handle the boring, repetitive tasks that drain my time and focus. The goal is to scale my creative vision while staying fully in control of the parts that matter. AI does the grunt work, I do the thinking.

If you could predict a trend or shift in your field for 2026, what would it be?

The backlash against AI slop is already here. In 2026, audiences will actively reject generic, soulless content and gravitate toward creators who use AI intentionally while keeping genuine human creativity at the center. It's not about avoiding AI, it's about using it for grunt work while protecting your creative voice. That's what will cut through the noise.

How do you balance professional growth with your own well-being and creativity?

I learned this the hard way. A few years ago, I burned out running a YouTube channel and had to walk away completely. That experience taught me that professional growth means nothing if you're miserable. Now I'm much more intentional about my priorities, protecting my energy, spending time with family, and only pursuing projects that genuinely excite me. It's an ongoing balance, but at least I now recognize the warning signs before it's too late.

If you were designing your own personal curriculum for the year, what would it include?

A random physical skill (building that custom table), restarting YouTube on my own terms, and continuing to experiment in areas that have nothing to do with my day job, like perfecting my pizza dough or diving deeper into a hobby just because it interests me. The curriculum isn't about optimization, it's about staying curious and making sure I'm learning things that energize me, not just advance my career.

A Sustainable Approach to Creativity in 2026

Jordy’s Creative New Year isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters. By staying curious, getting physical, and protecting his creative energy, he’s building a year that feels sustainable, not just successful. And that might be the most powerful resolution of all.

To see what Jordy Vandeput is up to, check out the Cinecom YouTube page.