“Breathe, darling. This is just a chapter. It’s not your whole story.” ❤️🩹 ~S.C. Lourie
coming back gently... (#435)
Happy November!
If you’re like, “Jess… it’s been a minute”, you are right.
Life got…full. And I had to take my own advice: offer myself some grace, do what I could, and trust I’d make my way back here.
And while every week I felt guilty for not sending a newsletter (“you should be showing up!!”), I also knew pausing was the right choice. #jesspicks is something I put my heart into.
And sometimes, the heart needs a nap.
This is what it looks like when you’re building something in the margins of real life, between work, caregiving, family, and everything else that needs you.
Some weeks are about keeping all the balls in the air.
Some weeks you’re just making it through.
It doesn’t mean you’re not showing up. It just means some things have to wait until you can catch your breath.
Today, I’m here.
And we’ll take this one issue at a time. 💖
—
Last time, we talked about going keyless: finding ways to remove friction and create more ease.
This week:
L is for Life Jackets 🛟✨
(the things that keep you afloat when you’re in the water)
Kendra Adachi (The Lazy Genius) shared this idea from a conversation with her therapist. She was overwhelmed, carrying a lot at once. Drowning. And she mentioned how we often use these water metaphors to talk about this state of stress.
Her therapist offered:
“What if you just stopped trying to get out of the water?”
Then:
“What do you need as you stay in the water?”
The answer: life jackets.
Not things that fix the overwhelm.
Not things that get you to shore.
Just the things that help you float. Here are mine lately:
😴 Sleep.
When I’m tired, everything feels louder. Harder. Some nights are out of my control (#caregiverlife), but I do my best to protect rest where I can. Kendra swears by 17-minute naps… I’m keeping that idea in my back pocket.
💃🏾 Dance.
The Thriller flash mob became my bright spot these past weeks. Rehearsing, performing, laughing, moving, being in community, moving my body. Exhausting and exhilarating at the same time. Dance always brings me back to myself.
🫶🏾 Support (in all the small everyday ways it shows up)
A teammate saying, “I’ve got that, you focus here.”
Mom and sister making space so I could dance my little heart out.
Friends who check in, send memes, or just sit with me in the mess.
AI helping me past the blank page (I love a draft I can edit).
Therapy: a place to put the feelings.
Anxiety meds (because sometimes you need extra help, and that’s okay.)
None of these take the overwhelm away.
But they help me float.
And that’s enough.
—
Life jackets don’t have to be big things. They can be:
Your morning walk
Your comfort show (Glee is one of mine!)
Your favorite mug
A playlist of your favorite songs
The friend who always says, “Text me when you get home”
If life feels like a lot right now:
What’s helping you stay afloat?
What helps you feel even 1% more like yourself?
That’s your life jacket.
You may not be able to change the season you’re in. But you can find ways to soften it.
—
💬 Over to you: Tell me one life jacket you’re leaning on right now.
On to the picks!
P.S. Next week, I’m excited to be a part of a collaboration all about making business growth feel a bit easier. I’ll send more details in a few days. One thing at a time…
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 to you. I only recommend products that I use and love.
#picks 😍
Gentle support, tiny relief.
🧹. Declutter Party (Nov 13). My friend and fellow #jesspicks reader Connie is hosting a cozy, supportive hour to clear one thing:
your computer desktop
“the drawer” (we all have one 👀)
swapping summer clothes for winter
deal with that pile you’ve been wanting to get to
Community body-doubling? Yes please.
🪴. Doing Too Much. Nedra Glover Tawwab reminds us that the to-do list will never be done, and that easing the load is a skill. Love that she shared ways to make adulting easier:
I have Watering Wednesdays. The alliteration helps me to remember to water all my plants each week. During my birthday month I do all my medical appointments: mammogram, physical, etc. I keep this schedule so I’m not worried about when it’s going to happen throughout the rest of the year.
#icymi
😍. Last issue’s top pick: Make Mondays Automatic
💌. Pocket Pep Talk. Feeling stuck? I’ll send you clarity (and a little pep) in 24 hours.
#classifieds 🗞
🎨 What if your art was your protest? The Art of Resistance podcast uncovers how creatives turned music, writing, & design into power. A reminder: you can build in your own way.
💸 You run the show (and the budget). Get free, supportive money tips made for women, by women. One click = more confidence with every dollar.
9️⃣. What if your next experiment was just $9 away? This bite-sized training shows you how to turn a simple idea into a paid offer. Fast. Fun. Low-pressure.
(like these? let’s partner up!)
#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, Keyn, 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!! ❤️