“Give your friends and mentors the gift of showing up for you.” 💝 ~Leslie Odom Jr.
coaching, clay, and finding help in unexpected places (#385)
I recently attended a workshop called “Coaching with Clay,” which was a transformative experience. It combined meditation, visualization, journaling, and hands-on clay work, creating a powerful space for self-reflection. At the start of the day, our coaches, Laura and Heather, encouraged us to think about a problem or challenge we were currently experiencing.
As you know, I’m navigating a challenging caregiving season which comes with feelings of guilt, anger, resentment, and exhaustion. Through a visualization exercise, I connected with my “wise advocate” - an older, wiser version of myself, future Jess, if you will. She told me a few things:
Love yourself, first.
You matter.
Make a list of what you need.
Come sit with me more often.
This extremely powerful exercise reminded me that we often have the answers inside ourselves; we just need to create space for them or have others hold the space for us.
At the end of the day, what I most wanted to feel when it comes to caregiving, or just in this season right now in general, is supported.
An epiphany I had was that perhaps I’ve been looking for support in the wrong places. While it’s been difficult to find direct assistance with grandma, I started seeing if there might be other ways to get support:
Financial. I am researching ways to perhaps reduce or save money on caregiving-related expenses.
Learning. There is so much I don’t even know about being a caregiver, so I signed up for a training program.
Work. I had an honest conversation with my boss about how burnt out I was feeling. And she was so amazingly supportive of me taking this past week off. (thanks Lauren!)
Biz. I signed up to work with Josh Spector (my newsletter mentor) to help me with content and getting clients. And continuing to work with my speaking coach to come up with a new talk. Cheerleaders could use cheerleaders too. 😉
On this journey, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and alone. But sometimes, with a shift in perspective and the courage to ask for help in new ways, we can find the support we need.
As someone who supports you, I encourage you to take advice from future Jess too:
Love yourself, first. Find ways to prioritize your care and your joy so that you can support others.
You matter. So do your experiences, your insights, and your learnings.
Make a list of what you need. Can you find it in non-obvious places?
Come sit with you more often. Create space to check in with yourself and your wise advocate.
Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. We are in this together.
“Some of us have a sense that we have to figure out everything on our own. We mistakenly think that being in need of help or advice is a sign of weakness. Give your friends and mentors the gift of showing up for you.” ~Leslie Odom Jr.
Wishing you all the support you need. 💞
On to the picks!
P.S. If you want to start a side hustle but need support in finding your idea, my new $9 offer is perfect for you.
Note: This email may contain affiliate links. If you click through my link and make a purchase, I may receive “thank you money” at no additional cost. I only recommend products that I use and love.
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#love 😍
🧩. Doing: LEGO Botanical Collection. Embracing my inner child through adult play! And while I never did LEGO as a kid, I’ve loved discovering their grown-up sets. This week, I built the rose bouquet, and it was so satisfying and pretty. Not to mention, my non-green thumb can’t kill them, even though grandma has wanted to water some of them before. 🤫
#read
Start your day on a strawberry: 15 microhabits for calmer, healthier mornings
I love a good microhabit - something I can do that won’t take me too much time.
Here are my fave from this list:
Asking yourself, “What’s today’s adventure”
Doing a micro-workout
Doing the bird-dog stretch (I’ve already started doing this one!)
Which habit can you add to your day?
#icymi
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#lifevibes
#supporters ☕️
Thank you, Kelly, Melinda, Tawanna, Gia, Lori, Ayana, Krista, Jessica, Annetta, Constance, Tunde, Jen, Michelle, Emile, Bex, Kim, Angela G., Lauren B., Chelsea, Amy, Ricky, Kirsten, Vin, Julie, Nicole, Hmza, Greg, Kristin, Kirstyn, Jess, Cheryl, Krysta, Adrena, Vidya, Kristyn, Danielle, Keryn, Terry, Vanessa, Meredith, Lauren, Meg, Maria J., Chivon, Kim, Luciano, Colie, Chasity, Laurie, Latienda, Collette, Anne, Kristen, Liz, Katherine, Monale, Betsy, Melissa, Lindsay, Jennifer, Kayla, Madison, Rae, Stephanie, Christine R., Christine M., Frances, Hannah, Chris, Brandy, Mea, Kristian, Maria K., Avery, Adam, Barbara, Shenee, Desiree, Lisa, Kandice, L’Oreal, and LaVerne for being #jesspicks supporters!! ❤️
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