One of the most underrated symptoms I had during burnout was indecisiveness. When I say underrated, I mean, I carried this around with me for a long time not realizing why I struggled with decisions only sometimes. I just thought it was a flaw in my personality. But why was I was fine at work? I used to be a Director and would make big decisions that affected large groups of people, and I made them well.

However, when I was home, basic decisions like deciding what to have for dinner, or which outfit to wear, would throw me into a spiral. My kids would ask me something and sometimes I would have to defer to their dad because I couldn’t make one more decision. I would even get frustrated when my mom would ask me what I wanted for my birthday. Why was that so difficult?

I’ve learned since then that the reason for my inability to make decisions when I got home was because my nervous system was fried. And when I didn’t have to be “on” like I did at work, I would escape or “tap out”. This was the sign my nervous system was sending me that I needed more grounding and resets throughout the day.

While it’s normal for us to experience dysregulation sometimes, when it affects our lives in negative ways or we stay stuck there for too long, is when it isn’t healthy and we should find support for ourselves.

What I really needed was to allow myself ways throughout the day to down-regulate.

My schedule wasn’t conducive to what my body needed given the level of responsibilities I had between work and kids. I needed something different, and my indecisiveness was a sign. So I made some difficult decisions and changes in my life.

Breathwork has been a practice that has helped me learn how to go from an activated state to a more grounded state as opposed to escaping and not being present.

When I am able to bring my awareness to my nervous system through a regular breathwork practice, I then bring more awareness to my day to day life and that’s where I learned how to resource myself in real time. I became more present, more decisive, and then more efficient, and overall more satisfied in life.

I would have never realized that being indecisive wasn’t my personality, it was just a sign my nervous system was saying

“hello, this schedule, and level of stress isn’t working for me so I’m tapping out”

Now, I intentionally set time within my day to down-regulate, and give my nervous system ways to reset.

I’ve also reprioritized so many things in my life so I am not just living in a constant state of stress and survival.

If you feel like you have experienced indecisiveness as a result of a dysregulated nervous system, I invite you to explore the Survival Mode RESET.

GET STARTED

This is a 7 day challenge with an 8th day bonus breathwork recording to help you start your journey on bringing in more awareness, and research backed practices that help you regulate in real time so you don’t feel like small decisions are too difficult to make.

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We don’t have to abide by the rule that you have to “earn your recess time” by getting all of your work done. Do you still believe that you have to earn your free time and have an internal dialogue that says “you’re not good enough,” or “you haven’t done enough to earn your joy and freedom”?

For a long time, I had been treating Joy as the reward? I’ve since learned that having joy in my life is actually the requirement to unlock the truest version of me.

Because the joyful version of us is filled with energy, is fully expressed, is aligned and magnetic, and sends the signal to our bodies that it is healthy, and regulated, not stressed and suffering.

Joy is one of those emotions in which our body sends the signal that it can heal and recover.

Maybe your life hasn’t always felt joyful, or maybe you haven’t witnessed a woman who has fully lived in joy, so you’re struggling to allow it in without conditions. Today I am inviting you to release those parts of your story and truly allow JOY to fill your bodies and souls.

I’ve tied Joy to production, my worthiness, my ability to earn more money or what I have to contribute. But here’s the truth that so many of us forget about our access to joy.

EVERYONE has a birthright to unconditional joy. If what you are doing prevents you from your joy whether it be your work, your relationships, your schedule, that’s where we start. That’s where we get really honest with ourselves and shift because without joy, we can’t live.

The fastest way to joy in my personal experience has been through my breath. But it has also been through presence. Through witnessing the people I love experience joy. It’s through human connection, laughter, freedom, and unconditional love.

That’s what I am building here. The fast track to JOY and LOVE.

Here’s a short practice for you to try.

Practice being in the energy of joy by sitting in stillness. Close your eyes and take 5 slow breaths. Visualize a time where you last felt joyful. If you can’t remember a time, then imagine what you would be doing if you could feel pure joy. Try to fill in as much detail as possible and genuinely feel the experience as if you are living it right now. Hold your body, your energy, and your focus there for as long as you can. Write about your experience. Research has shown that the more you can practice feeling the emotion, the more likely you will attract it into your real life. So go live your life and see how much joy crosses your path!

So as we kick off this summer series, I want to encourage you to schedule in some more ways you can experience JOY without condition, and without earning it.

Children can often experience joy so easily and unapologetically, so maybe spend time around some children and let yourself play if you are having a hard time tapping into your joy.

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Take a breath.

Not the rushed one between school drop-offs, meals, and everything else you’re juggling…

A real one.

Because if you’ve been feeling like you need more time to figure things out, this might shift something for you.

As moms, we get really good at thinking through everything.

What’s best for our kids.

What makes the most sense for our family.

What feels “right” long-term.

We weigh every option.

We consider everyone else first.

We try to make the smartest, safest decision.

And somewhere in that process…We stop trusting ourselves. Not because we don’t know. But because we’ve been taught to second-guess our instincts in the name of responsibility.

So we wait.

Wait until the timing is perfect.

Wait until we feel 100% ready.

Wait until we have more clarity.

It’s not time that’s missing.

It’s self-trust.

Overthinking can feel like you’re being careful…But often, it’s just keeping you stuck in the same place. Because aligned action doesn’t come from having everything figured out.

It comes from trusting yourself enough to take the next step even when life is full, even when things aren’t perfectly clear.

And as a mom, that can feel hard.

Because you’re not just thinking about yourself.

You’re thinking about everyone.

Your kids don’t need a perfect version of you.

They need a version of you who trusts herself.

Who listens inward. Who models what it looks like to make decisions from alignment not fear.

Self-trust doesn’t look like a big leap.

It looks like...

Saying yes to something that feels right.

Letting go of something that doesn’t.

Taking one step forward… even if you don’t see the full picture yet.

Clarity often comes after the decision… not before.

Take a moment today...maybe in the car, maybe in a quiet minute before bed and ask yourself: “What would I do if I trusted myself just a little more?”

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, in your head, or disconnected from your body…This episode is a beautiful place to start.

We talk about what breathwork actually looks like in real life especially for busy women and moms.

Not something complicated.

Not something you need hours for.

Just simple ways to come back to yourself.

The Power Of Breathwork

“I trust myself enough to take the next step.”

Let that be enough for today.

I want to take a moment to thank all of you who continue to show up each week reading the Soul Safe Sunday, and “Heart Talks.” Whether it is a message from you in my inbox, a text, a “like” on my IG or substack, a repost, or a comment, I truly see you and feel your support. Thank You from the bottom of my heart for trusting in me to hold space for you.

What I have learned in the past few years as I grow this business is: when my soul says its time to pivot, I must follow the nudge and with that comes some changes to look forward to:

1. Starting in June you will see a new “look”

I am changing platforms and therefore emails, blogs, offers, and websites may look a little different. Still me, just with a “remodel” The courses will remain the same, and if you have any difficulty logging in please send me an email and I will support you.

2. Also starting in June, you will receive only 1 Newsletter per month instead of every Sunday.

If you would like to read more of my content and reflections on life, nervous system regulation, motherhood, breathwork and all the things, please join me on Substack Here.

3. I have created multiple ways of working with me at different price points.

Please browse through the new site in June to find more “packages”. But in the meantime you can find current ways to work together here.

As my business and I find deeper alignment, I hope you will too, and if this content/relationship does not feel aligned any longer, PLEASE feel free to “unsubscribe” at any time. No hurt feelings, just best wishes and thank you.

My schedule is looking pretty full through June and July so one on ones are limited. Please send me an email if you are looking for a specific time or service and I will do my best to connect with you!

You don’t need more time.

You don’t need everything figured out.

You just need to trust yourself enough…

to take the next step.

Even in the middle of a full, beautiful, busy life.

With love,

Jessica

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If things have felt a little off lately…
a little stretched…
a little unclear…

Pause here.

You might be standing at the edge of something new.

There’s a moment that happens before every real shift. It doesn’t feel exciting at first.

It feels like:

• Restlessness

• Uncertainty

• Emotional stretch

• A quiet sense that something isn’t quite right anymore

You start craving change…but you don’t have full clarity on what that change is.

And that’s the part that makes it uncomfortable.

Because we’ve been taught that we need a plan before we move. That we need certainty before we trust ourselves. But real transformation doesn’t work that way.

This in-between phase…this discomfort…It’s expansion beginning.

Your old patterns don’t quite fit anymore.

But your new path hasn’t fully revealed itself yet.

So your system feels stretched between two versions of you.

But here’s what I want you to remember:

You don’t need full clarity to move forward.

You just need enough safety to take one step.

Because clarity doesn’t come before movement.

It comes through it.

Your body already senses what’s shifting.

Take a moment today and ask yourself: “What am I being invited to shift… even if I don’t feel ready?”

You don’t need to act on it immediately.

Just acknowledge it.

That awareness is the beginning of the pivot.

In seasons like this, it’s important to give your mind space to soften.

I’ve been enjoying The Matchmaker by Elin Hilderbrand...it’s a beautiful, emotional story that gently pulls you out of overthinking and into feeling.

Sometimes the most supportive thing you can do for your nervous system is step out of “figuring it out” mode…and let yourself just be present with something simple and meaningful.

THE MATCHMAKER

“I trust myself to move, even without having the full picture.”

Let that soften the pressure to have everything figured out.

I want to take a moment to thank all of you who continue to show up each week reading the Soul Safe Sunday, and “Heart Talks.” Whether it is a message from you in my inbox, a text, a “like” on my IG or substack, a repost, or a comment, I truly see you and feel your support. Thank You from the bottom of my heart for trusting in me to hold space for you.

What I have learned in the past few years as I grow this business is: when my soul says its time to pivot, I must follow the nudge and with that comes some changes to look forward to:

1. Starting in June you will see a new “look”

I am changing platforms and therefore emails, blogs, offers, and websites may look a little different. Still me, just with a “remodel” The courses will remain the same, and if you have any difficulty logging in please send me an email and I will support you.

2. Also starting in June, you will receive only 1 Newsletter per month instead of every Sunday.

If you would like to read more of my content and reflections on life, nervous system regulation, motherhood, breathwork and all the things, please join me on Substack Here.

3. I have created multiple ways of working with me at different price points.

Please browse through the new site in June to find more “packages”. But in the meantime you can find current ways to work together here.

As my business and I find deeper alignment, I hope you will too, and if this content/relationship does not feel aligned any longer, PLEASE feel free to “unsubscribe” at any time. No hurt feelings, just best wishes and thank you.

My schedule is looking pretty full through June and July so one on ones are limited. Please send me an email if you are looking for a specific time or service and I will do my best to connect with you!

You’re not stuck.

You’re just standing in the moment before the shift.

And something within you already knows the way forward.

One breath at a time.

With love,

Jessica

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I’m not entirely sure what moms are supposed to do when their kids need to stay home sick.

Especially if you’re a working mom and you don’t have time off to take.

There was a season when my kids were little and constantly getting sick, and I would scramble to find someone to watch them so I could still make it to work. Looking back, I cringe a little. Not from judgment, but from knowing how stretched thin I was, and how normal that felt at the time.

I’ve heard some moms say they just have their kids tough it out and go to school anyway. And sure, there’s a place for resilience. But what about when your child is actually sick?

Like really sick… the kind where their energy is low, their body needs rest, and you can feel it in your gut that they shouldn’t be anywhere but home.

My advice? If you can, take the time.

Because your kids will remember those days. The days they got to stay home, be cared for, and feel safe in your presence. The days you slowed down just enough to meet them where they were. The days that felt… nurturing. (And the work will always be there when you get back)

And in my experience, tending to them when they are truly sick has never created a child who suddenly wants to stay home every day. Kids know the difference.

Now, did it make my week more stressful?
Yes.

I felt run down myself. My face broke out in a rash. I had more in-person client calls than usual. It wasn’t convenient, and it definitely wasn’t easy.

But we got through it.

And one thing that helped?
This quick, nourishing chicken soup I threw together in between everything else.

Because sometimes, care looks like slowing down…
and sometimes it looks like doing the best you can with what you have.

The Busy Mom’s Chicken Soup Recipe

This isn’t a fancy recipe.
It’s a “I have 20 minutes and a sick kid on the couch” kind of recipe.

It’s warm, simple, nourishing, and honestly, exactly what both of you need at that moment.

Ingredients

• 1 rotisserie chicken, removed from the bone and shredded

• 2 large carrots, chopped

• 1 russet potato, peeled and cubed

• 1 small yellow onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2–3 celery stalks, chopped

• 1 package fresh poultry herbs (thyme, rosemary, sage) found in the produce section remove from stems and chopped

• 4 cups (1 container) bone broth I used Pacific Organic

Directions

In a large pot, heat a little olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Let them soften for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally. This is where the kitchen starts to feel like comfort.

Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Toss in the herbs.

Stir in the potatoes, then pour in the bone broth. Bring everything to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 15–20 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft.

Add in the shredded chicken and let it warm through for a few more minutes.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. If you want it a little thicker, mash a few of the potatoes right in the pot.

That’s it.

No pressure. No perfection. Just something warm on the stove while you sit next to your child and remind them they’re okay.

Side note:
If your child is asking to stay home every day and you sense they’re not truly sick, it might be worth gently exploring what’s going on beneath the surface. Are they feeling supported? Safe? Seen at school? Just something to stay curious about.

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Take a breath.

You don’t have to fix anything or figure anything out.

Just notice.

Before the doubt and the second-guessing…

There was a version of you who has always known.

You weren’t always this disconnected from yourself.

There was a time when your instincts were clear. When your body gave you signals… and you trusted them. But somewhere along the way, something shifted.

Maybe it was subtle.

A moment in childhood where your feelings were dismissed.

A time when you were told you were “too sensitive.”

A relationship where your intuition said one thing… but you were encouraged to believe another.

A pattern of choosing logic over feeling because you were questioned or it felt safer.

Over time, you learned your knowing wasn’t enough. So you started looking outside yourself.

For answers

For validation

For reassurance

You began to override the quiet voice inside you, and replace it with noise the reasoning that has led you astray.

This is how self-doubt is created.

Somewhere along your path something taught you not to trust what you feel.

Self-doubt is learned, which means self-trust can be rebuilt.

You don’t have to think harder, or try to convince yourself.

Self-trust is rebuilt when your body feels safe enough to listen again.

Your intuition doesn’t live in your logical mind.

It lives in your body.

When your nervous system is constantly activated, your body doesn’t feel like a safe place for it to land.

So of course it’s hard to trust yourself.

This is why breathwork is so powerful.

Because when you regulate your nervous system, you’re creating new patterns of internal safety and self trust.

When your body feels safe again, your knowing returns.

It’s not louder, or forced. Its just steady and clear like it always was.

If you’ve been feeling disconnected, uncertain, or stuck in self-doubt, Breathwork helps you rebuild that safety in your body. Book your 1:1 Breathwork session with me today!

This will help you:

slow down the noise

reconnect with your body

release stored tension

access clarity without force

Self-trust isn’t something you earn. It’s something you return to.

One of the ways I support my body especially as someone who is mindful of long-term health is by paying attention to what I’m exposed to daily.

After testing my water and finding high levels of chemicals that aren’t supportive for our health, I invested in Hydroviv water filters for my refrigerator, sink, and shower.

I love them because:

they’re customized based on your local water quality

easy to install and change

provide high-quality filtration without overcomplication

PLUS If you use my link, you’ll get $35 off!

Sometimes rebuilding trust with yourself also looks like making small, intentional choices that support your body at a foundational level.

Hydroviv $35 off!

“I am safe to trust myself again.”

Let your body receive that.

I want to take a moment to thank all of you who continue to show up each week reading the Soul Safe Sunday, and “Heart Talks.” Whether it is a message from you in my inbox, a text, a “like” on my IG or substack, a repost, or a comment, I truly see you and feel your support. Thank You from the bottom of my heart for trusting in me to hold space for you.

What I have learned in the past few years as I grow this business is: when my soul says its time to pivot, I must follow the nudge and with that comes some changes to look forward to:

1. Starting in June you will see a new “look”

I am changing platforms and therefore emails, blogs, offers, and websites may look a little different. Still me, just with a “remodel” The courses will remain the same, and if you have any difficulty logging in please send me an email and I will support you.

2. Also starting in June, you will receive only 1 Newsletter per month instead of every Sunday.

If you would like to read more of my content and reflections on life, nervous system regulation, motherhood, breathwork and all the things, please join me on Substack Here.

3. I have created multiple ways of working with me at different price points.

Please browse through the new site in June to find more “packages”. But in the meantime you can find current ways to work together here.

As my business and I find deeper alignment, I hope you will too, and if this content/relationship does not feel aligned any longer, PLEASE feel free to “unsubscribe” at any time. No hurt feelings, just best wishes and thank you.

My schedule is looking pretty full through June and July so one on ones are limited. Please send me an email if you are looking for a specific time or service and I will do my best to connect with you!

Take a moment and ask yourself: “Where did I learn that my knowing wasn’t enough?”

You don’t need to solve it.

Just notice.

Awareness is the beginning of returning to yourself.

With love,

Jessica

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Happy Mother’s Day 🤍

Today can hold so many emotions.

Gratitude.
Joy.
Grief.
Reflection.
Longing.
Love that still lingers long after someone is gone.

So before we go any further… take a breath.

And think of the women who shaped you.

The mothers.
The grandmothers.
The aunts.
The women who held you, guided you, encouraged you, or loved you in quiet ways that still live inside you today.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the invisible threads that connect generations of women.

The things we pass down that can’t always be measured:

Recipes.
Songs.
Mannerisms.
Strength.
Creativity.
Ways of loving.
Ways of coping.
Ways of showing up for each other.

Sometimes I notice it in the smallest moments.

A phrase I say that sounds exactly like my mom.
A recipe that instantly brings my grandmother back into the room.
Watching my daughter step into her gifts and realizing she carries pieces of all of us within her.

And it’s made me realize something:

Love doesn’t leave the way we think it does.

The women who shaped us continue living through:

• the traditions we keep

• the art we create

• the meals we cook

• the way we nurture

• the way we continue loving others

Their presence doesn’t disappear.

It evolves.

Motherhood has taught me that grief and gratitude often exist together.

That loving deeply means we will sometimes miss deeply too.

But it also means we get the privilege of carrying forward the wisdom, resilience, and love of the women who came before us.

And maybe that’s part of the beauty of motherhood itself.

Not perfection.

But continuation.

I wrote a deeply personal Mother’s Day reflection on Substack called:

The Power of 3’s

READ NOW

It’s about generations of women, signs, grief, music, motherhood, and the invisible ways love continues to connect us across time.

This piece came straight from my heart, and I think many mothers and daughters will feel seen in it.

I’d love for you to read the full story!

One of the most meaningful gifts we can leave behind isn’t perfection.

It’s presence.

I love this simple memory book because it allows moms to capture tiny moments, thoughts, and memories over the course of five years even on the busiest days.

Sometimes just one sentence becomes something your children will treasure forever. I used this once in awhile for my kids and I wished I had used it more!

A beautiful reminder that ordinary moments often become the most sacred memories later on.

One Line a Day: A Five-Year Memory Book

“The love that shaped me still lives within me.”

Let yourself feel that today.

I want to take a moment to thank all of you who continue to show up each week reading the Soul Safe Sunday, and “Heart Talks.” Whether it is a message from you in my inbox, a text, a “like” on my IG or substack, a repost, or a comment, I truly see you and feel your support. Thank You from the bottom of my heart for trusting in me to hold space for you.

What I have learned in the past few years as I grow this business is: when my soul says its time to pivot, I must follow the nudge and with that comes some changes to look forward to:

1. Starting in June you will see a new “look”

I am changing platforms and therefore emails, blogs, offers, and websites may look a little different. Still me, just with a “remodel” The courses will remain the same, and if you have any difficulty logging in please send me an email and I will support you.

2. Also starting in June, you will receive only 1 Newsletter per month instead of every Sunday.

If you would like to read more of my content and reflections on life, nervous system regulation, motherhood, breathwork and all the things, please join me on Substack Here.

3. I have created multiple ways of working with me at different price points.

Please browse through the new site in June to find more “packages”. But in the meantime you can find current ways to work together here.

As my business and I find deeper alignment, I hope you will too, and if this content/relationship does not feel aligned any longer, PLEASE feel free to “unsubscribe” at any time. No hurt feelings, just best wishes and thank you.

My schedule is looking pretty full through June and July so one on ones are limited. Please send me an email if you are looking for a specific time or service and I will do my best to connect with you!

Today, whether you are celebrating, grieving, mothering, healing, remembering, or simply trying to make it through the day…

I hope you remember this:

The love poured into you matters.

And the love you continue giving matters too.

Happy Mother’s Day!

With love,

Jessica

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It was my daughter. She had sent a group text that read:

“Don’t forget that the room I sing in can get chilly, so dress warm.”

“Whoa,” my husband said. “That is so weird how you both used the word chilly at the same time!”

It was weird, but it also wasn’t.

My daughter and I tend to be on the same wavelength often. She can feel me, and I can feel her, even when she’s a few hours away at college. It often leads to us reaching out at just the right moment or somehow reading each other’s minds.

There has always been a recurring sign in my daughter’s life: 333.

She wears a necklace with 333 on it, and the numbers tend to appear whenever we’re with her. They remind me of her. Her dorm was Unit 3. The numbers show up in addresses, license plates, timestamps, and little moments that feel too aligned to ignore. The last post I shared of her singing solo even had 33 likes and 3 comments.

I never really knew exactly what the 3’s meant, other than feeling like she was being spiritually encouraged and protected, especially when it came to her art and expression through dance and singing.

When you look up the meaning of 333, you’ll often find themes like mind, body, spirit, authentic expression, alignment, and being supported by your guides and angels.

Last weekend, I got to visit her to watch her sing in both a choir performance and a solo performance. May 3rd. Coincidence? Probably not.

But what happened during the performance surprised me in a way I didn’t expect.

I had brought my mom with me to Berkeley to watch her sing. We sat together in the Berkeley Women’s Club room while a live pianist played onstage. Each performer sang a completely different song, each one highlighting their own unique voice, strengths, and vulnerability.

I remember thinking what a brave thing it is to sing in front of people. To allow yourself to be fully seen in your art.

One song especially caught my attention. It was “What Baking Can Do” from Waitress. The song uses baking as a metaphor for the main character’s experience in coping with a difficult pregnancy and an abusive marriage.

Immediately, I thought of my mom, who has always baked as a way to cope with life. Which then made me think of my late grandmother, who also loved to bake. My mom has often said she feels closest to her when she’s baking.

Every Christmas, we still use her rolling pin and her special measuring cup when we bake cookies together.

I’ve mentioned my grandmother in other pieces before, but something about hearing that song while sitting between my mother and my daughter made her presence feel incredibly close.

Then another performer came out and began singing “My Way.”

At first, I assumed it wasn’t the same song played at my Aunt Nancy’s funeral since the program didn’t mention Frank Sinatra. But as soon as the lyrics began, tears welled up in my eyes.

It was the same song.

I was wearing Aunt Nancy’s ring, like I always do when I attend my daughter’s performances. Before she passed away, she had been one of the biggest supporters of my daughter’s singing and dancing journey. She showed up to every recital, every performance, every milestone. My mom has shared that Aunt Nancy’s grandmother was also fond of playing the piano and singing.

What made Aunt Nancy especially meaningful was that she wasn’t technically a blood relative. She was my late grandmother’s best friend, and after my grandmother passed away, she lovingly stepped in and became family to us.

She chose us.

Her funeral happened to fall on my grandmother’s birthday, and “My Way” had been played because it captured her spirit perfectly.

As the performer sang, I thought to myself, They’re both here, together.

I wiped away my tears, and soon it was my daughter’s turn.

She sang “Gravity” by Sara Bareilles, who also wrote the music for Waitress and “What Baking Can Do.”

Coincidence? Probably not.

We were all so proud of her growth, her bravery, and the way she continues to lean into her voice and artistic expression.

As the concert continued, I noticed that the program included English translations for songs performed in other languages. I found myself reading along while someone sang “Ah, per sempre io ti perdei,” an Italian opera piece about losing love.

Then I saw the name “Elvira” in the translated lyrics.

Elvira was my grandmother on my father’s side.

“Elvira, Elvira,” the lyrics repeated.

I squinted, almost unable to believe what I was reading.

She was here too?

Of course she was.

And sitting there between my mother and my daughter, I suddenly realized something.

Maybe the power of 3 was never just about the numbers.

Maybe it was about generations of women.

Grandmothers. Mothers. Daughters.

Love passed down through stories, traditions, recipes, music, encouragement, resilience, and presence.

I think grief sometimes convinces us that the people we love are gone. That because we can no longer physically hold them, they must be far away.

But I don’t believe that anymore.

I think they continue to show up for us.

Through songs.
Numbers.
Memories.
Objects.
Hobbies.
Little reminders that seem too aligned to ignore.

Their love continues moving through generations long after they leave this Earth.

Just like the energetic connection I feel with my daughter, even when we’re miles apart, I believe our grandmothers remain connected to us too.

Watching. Supporting. Encouraging.

Still loving us from the other side.

And knowing that they are with my daughter, sometimes even closer to her than I can physically be, brings me comfort.

I feel their protection.
I feel their presence.
I feel their love.

I’m writing this piece for Mother’s Day as a reminder to honor the mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and women who helped shape us, both here and in spirit.

Maybe this is your invitation to reflect on the women who shaped you too.

What traditions, phrases, recipes, songs, or mannerisms remind you of the women in your family?

When do you feel closest to the mothers, grandmothers, or aunts you’ve loved?

What qualities or gifts have been passed down to you through them?

Have there been moments where you felt their presence, guidance, or protection long after they were gone?

What parts of their legacy are you continuing through your own life, relationships, creativity, or motherhood?

What would you want the next generation to remember about you?

And maybe most importantly…

How can you honor the women who came before you, not just through grief, but through fully living, loving, creating, and expressing yourself the way they hoped you would?

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It’s the early 80s. A little girl walks into a family gathering and immediately tears well up in her eyes. She clings to her mom’s leg, paralyzed by the overwhelm moving through her body. She wipes her face on her mom’s pant leg and begs not to go any further.

That was me.

When I was little, I was given the nickname “Boo Boo” because I cried a lot. I was labeled as “sensitive,” as a young child, but looking back now, I can see something I didn’t have the language for then. My nervous system was overwhelmed, and the adults around me didn’t always know how to help me regulate.

I loved dolls, animals, hugs, and being outside. When I was labeled as the one who cries a lot, someone gave me a “Boo Boo Bear.” He had a bandage on his arm and a tear in his eye. He was “broken,” just like I had quietly begun to believe I was.

He became my comfort. Something I could carry when I didn’t feel safe or understood.

But no one ever stopped to ask the question that mattered most.

Why was I crying?

For a long time, I thought it was just who I was. The emotional one. The sensitive one. The one who couldn’t “handle things.” The one who annoyed everyone when I got too emotional.

What I didn’t realize was how much time I was spending frozen in that energy… stuck in a nervous system freeze state, overwhelmed by feelings I didn’t know how to process.

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I was invited to go to Tulum by a friend I met during my life coaching certification.

“Do you want to facilitate breathwork and get some branding photos in Tulum with me?” she asked in a DM on Instagram.

At the time, I had no idea that saying yes to this trip would end up teaching me some of the most honest lessons I’ve learned about business, motherhood, friendship, and trusting the quiet nudges that life places in front of us.

What I thought would be a simple business retreat turned into something very different.

And looking back, I almost didn’t go.

Wow. I wasn’t expecting that message, but it definitely piqued my interest.

The problem was that it was the week of my anniversary, and I wasn’t very excited about the travel time or the cost.

But after talking it through with my very supportive husband and ironing out the details, I finally said yes. I hadn’t been away with a friend in a long time, and I had set a goal to do more in-person events for my business. So here was my opportunity. I needed to take it.

I spent one night in San Diego with my friend before we crossed the border at the Tijuana airport, hopped on a plane, and flew to Cancun. I’m not going to lie, I just prayed to get through that leg of the trip safely. My mom and my husband did too. I did arrive safely and surprisingly, I think I discovered a travel hack since I saved $300 by driving just 20 more minutes South to fly from Mexico rather than San Diego.

Once we arrived in Cancun, we met three other women and headed to Tulum together.

On the way to the villa, my expectations were actually pretty low. I was excited to share the gift of breathwork with a new audience, spend time with my friend, get a small break from my day-to-day life at home, and hopefully carve out a little alone time to write and work on my business.

I got all four, and more, but not in the ways I expected.

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Take a breath.

Take a breath.

Not to figure anything out…
just to notice.

Have you been feeling it?

That quiet nudge.
That subtle pull.
That sense that something needs to change…
even if you can’t fully explain what or why.

You try to think it through.
You weigh the options.
You wait for clarity.

But it doesn’t come.

There’s a moment many women reach that isn’t loud or obvious.

It doesn’t come with a clear plan.

Or a perfectly mapped-out next step.

It comes as a feeling.

A quiet knowing that something in your life…no longer fits the way it used to.

And instead of acting on it, we often do what we’ve been taught to do:

We think about it.

Analyze it.

Try to understand it before we move.

But here’s the truth: Clarity doesn’t always come before change. Sometimes it comes after release.

Your body often knows what your mind is still trying to make sense of.

It holds the tension.

The resistance.

The misalignment.

And when you don’t give yourself space to feel that...you stay stuck in the loop of trying to “figure it out.”

This isn’t something to solve

It’s something to listen to

That quiet knowing you feel?

It’s not confusion.

It’s communication.

If you’re feeling that inner nudge but don’t know where to start…my 1:1 Breathwork Sessions aren’t another thing to figure out. It’s a space to feel, release, and reconnect with yourself...so clarity can come naturally.

This book holds a special place in my heart.

Written by my teacher, Sahara Rose, it was incredibly influential on my own journey of discovering my soul’s purpose. It offers a beautiful blend of spirituality and practical guidance, helping you understand your unique path in a way that feels aligned not forced.

I later became a student in her spiritual life and soul purpose coaching certification course, and this work continues to shape how I guide others today.

If you’re in a season of questioning or transition, this is a powerful companion.

READ NOW

“I trust what my body is ready to reveal.”

You don’t have to force the answer.

You just have to create space to hear it.

If you know something needs to change but feel frozen in where to begin…

Start with your nervous system.

Start here. The Survival Mode Reset

This is a simple, supportive way to help you:

• come out of overwhelm

• stop snapping at your husband and kids and learn to pause before reacting

• have a simple structure to you day without overwhelming yourself

• make small shifts and include your family

Because when your system feels safe…the answers you’ve been searching for begin to rise.

You don’t need more time to think about it.

You need space to feel it.

And your body already knows the way.

With love,

Jessica

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Take a breath.

Spring has a way of revealing things.

What’s ready to bloom, and what’s ready to fall away.

So if you’ve been feeling a little “off” lately or

not quite like yourself,

a little disconnected,

a little unsure...

Pause here.

You’re not lost.

You might just be in the middle of a shift.

There’s a version of you that got you here.

She learned how to cope, and how to push through.

How to manage, adapt, and keep going even when things felt heavy.

And she did her job well.

But every season asks something different of us.

And sometimes the patterns that once supported you…start to feel uncomfortable.

The overthinking, the overdoing, the emotional protecting and the need to always be in control

Suddenly, they don’t feel like support anymore.

They feel like friction.

This is where many women start to question themselves.

“Why does everything feel off?”

“Why isn’t what used to work… working anymore?”

“Why do I feel like I’m meant for something more or just different?”

But what if this discomfort isn’t confusion?

What if it’s shedding to make space for something beautiful to emerge?

Just like nature doesn’t carry last season’s leaves into spring-you’re not meant to carry old versions of yourself into your next chapter.

Growth often feels like disorientation before clarity.

You’re no longer who you were, but you also haven’t fully stepped into who you’re becoming yet.

That in-between space can feel unfamiliar, and even scary but it’s also where everything begins to shift.

Take a moment and sit with this: “What am I ready to release… even if I don’t fully know what’s next?”

You don’t need all the answers.You just need to be willing to let go of what no longer fits.

If your craving extra support during this season, my 1:1 Breathwork Sessions are a space for you to release, process, and reconnect with yourself. A space where you don’t have to be the strong one. A space where your body can finally exhale.

During seasons of transition, your body often feels the shift before your mind fully understands it. This Autoimmunitea Gut Blend is one of my favorite ways to gently support my system when things feel off or in-between.

It’s grounding, soothing, and supports gut health... which plays such a big role in how we process stress, emotions, and overall energy.

Sometimes the most powerful support isn’t doing more. It’s nourishing your body while it adjusts.

Digestive Tea – Leaky Gut Blend

“I trust what I’m releasing is making space for what’s meant for me.”

Let that hold you in the in-between.

If you’re outgrowing an old version of yourself but don’t know how to move forward yet…

Start here. The Survival Mode Reset

This is a simple, supportive way to help your nervous system:

• come out of survival mode fast

• stop snapping at your husband and kids and pause before reacting

• have a simple structure to your day that doesn’t overwhelm you

• stop running on empty and focus

Because before you step into what’s next…

Sis, don’t wait on this, your body needs to feel safe enough to let go of what’s been.

It’s only $27 for the relief you’ve been craving. Not a life overhaul or a new routine.

I packaged what took me years to overcome survival mode into a 7 day reset.

My newest Substack post is live!

Spring Cleaning Your Energy: Why what you can’t see matters most

If you’re in a season of shedding, this post will help you understand what’s happening beneath the surface and why releasing energetically matters just as much as what you do physically.

It’s a deeper look into how to clear space for what’s next.

Subscribe now

You’re not broken.

You’re not behind.

You’re just in a season of shedding.

And something new is already trying to grow.

With love,

Jessica

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One morning, I was laying in my husband’s office, which used to be the kids’ playroom. There was stuff everywhere. Piles of papers, unfolded blankets, random toys that didn’t have a home. I logged into a Zoom session to practice breathwork with another facilitator. It was her turn to lead, and I remember telling her, half laughing, that I felt like my spirit guides were trying to tell me something. I was tired. My body was craving deep breaths. She said she couldn’t make any promises, but we would try. So we laughed, I exhaled, and she guided me into the session.

As I dropped deeper into the meditation, things got very clear. I was shown my home, not all at once, but room by room. It felt like my space was speaking to me, showing me where it needed more light, more attention, more care. More energy. That was the moment I realized something I hadn’t fully understood before. My environment wasn’t separate from me. It was influencing me. My nervous system, my energy, my life.

I wouldn’t say my house was in shambles. It looked like what most homes look like when you’re raising kids, juggling schedules, working, trying to keep everything moving. But something wasn’t adding up. I was doing everything I thought I was supposed to do- going to work, eating “right,” taking care of my kids, supporting my husband, trying to build a good life. We even went on nice vacations. But underneath all of it, something felt off. Our health wasn’t where it should have been. I didn’t feel successful at work. Some of my relationships felt misaligned, and I couldn’t quite explain why.

Why Energy Maintenance Matters More Than You Think

What I’ve come to understand since then is this: everything is made up of energy. You, your home, your food, your relationships, your emotions. All of it. You’ve probably felt this before, walking into a room and instantly knowing something feels off, or doing all the “right things” but still not seeing the results you expected. That’s not random. That’s energy. And when we’re not consciously tending to it, it becomes stagnant. Not in a dramatic, obvious way, but quietly. It builds, it lingers, and it starts to show up in how we feel in our bodies, how we respond to stress, how we connect with others, and how we move through our lives.

Even though we can’t always see energy, we feel it, and we have more influence over it than we think. The way we care for our space, the way we process (or don’t process) our emotions, the boundaries we hold, and the awareness we bring to our daily life all matter. Because unexpressed emotion doesn’t just disappear. It stays in the body. It becomes tension, overwhelm, disconnection. One of the clearest ways to notice this is through your nervous system. If your thoughts race when you slow down, if you feel stuck in stress, sadness, or irritation, or if you feel disconnected or numb, those aren’t problems to fix. They’re signals. Invitations to pause and start paying attention to what’s been building underneath the surface.

That’s when I started shifting things in my home. I began with what I could see. I decluttered. I fixed what was broken. I started being more intentional about the space we were living in, and then I reached out for support. I connected with a Feng Shui practitioner named Maria, and my husband and I began implementing some of her recommendations. At first, everyone was a little skeptical, but as we made changes, something started to shift. It wasn’t instant, but it was noticeable. We felt a little more at ease in our home. There was more space, not just physically, but mentally. Things started to feel lighter.

Over time, my husband noticed improvements in his health that he had been struggling with for years. His business began to thrive in a new way. Our marriage softened. Our kids felt more grounded. And what stood out to me the most was that it wasn’t just about the house. It was about how we were showing up inside of it.

This is the part that isn’t talked about enough. Energy maintenance isn’t optional. It’s foundational, especially if you are someone who gives to others. As someone who guides breathwork and supports people through emotional and energetic work, my own energy maintenance has become non-negotiable. It’s my greatest currency. Before and after sessions, I take time to clear, release, and reset. I want to be present, and that’s what energetic boundaries look like.

This isn’t just for coaches or healers. If you work with people in any capacity, if you’re a mom, a teacher, a nurse, a business owner, your energy is part of every space you walk into. It affects your home, your relationships, your work. And this doesn’t have to be complicated.

Some days it looks like a full breathwork session. Other days, it looks like sitting in my car for five minutes before I walk into my house, just so I’m not bringing the weight of my day in with me.

So if you’ve been feeling off, if things aren’t quite clicking the way you expected, it might not be about doing more. It might be about clearing what’s already there.

Take a moment and check in with yourself. What kind of energy am I feeding each day? What am I holding onto that I haven’t fully processed? Does my space support how I want to feel? Do I give myself time to reset, or am I constantly pushing through? Awareness is where everything begins.

There are so many ways to support your energy, and not all of them will resonate with you. Don’t feel like you have to do everything. Find what helps you feel more like yourself again. For me, that has looked like breathwork, being intentional with my space, spending time outside, and creating small moments to reset throughout my day. It’s simple, but it’s consistent.

And here’s what I want you to know. You are not stuck with the energy you’re in. You can shift it. You can clear it. You can create more space for clarity, ease, and alignment in your life. Not all at once, but one small shift at a time.

And if you’re not sure where to start, that’s usually the sign to begin with awareness. Because not all dysregulation looks the same, and not all healing starts in the same place. This is the work I guide women through every day. Not just surface-level habits, but learning how to reconnect with their body and energy so they can actually feel different, not just try harder.

A Few Questions to Reflect On

Take a moment to check in with yourself:

What kind of energy am I feeding in my daily life?
Is it time to release what’s no longer serving me?
Am I allowing myself to fully feel and express my emotions?
Do I consciously cleanse and protect my energy?
Am I selective about who and what I allow into my space?
Am I aware of the energy in my physical environment?
Do I feel connected to purpose and optimism?
Do I give myself time to process and recover from stress?

Awareness is where everything begins.

Energy Maintenance Routines for More Flow

✨ Breathwork
✨ Meditation
✨ Smudging your space (sage or palo santo)
✨ Crystal soaks
✨ Epsom salt baths or cold plunges
✨ Essential oils (set intentions with use)
✨ Walking outside or moving your body
✨ Chanting
✨ Yoga or Tai Chi
✨ Doing things that bring you joy on purpose
✨ Surrounding yourself with safe, trustworthy people
✨ Nourishing your body with whole foods
✨ Journaling
✨ Sound healing
✨ Keeping your physical space clean and uncluttered
✨ Grounding practices
✨ Spending time in nature, live plants, fresh water
✨ Clear, communicated boundaries
✨ Feng Shui
✨ Energetic healing sessions with a practitioner

Common Energy Blockers

🚫 Cluttered or chaotic spaces
🚫 Processed or low-quality food
🚫 A lifestyle that doesn’t allow for rest
🚫 Stagnation (lack of movement or shallow breathing)
🚫 Alcohol (especially in excess)
🚫 Gossiping or constant complaining
🚫 Suppressing or bypassing emotions
🚫 Weak or unclear boundaries
🚫 Seeking validation outside of yourself
🚫 Environmental toxins
🚫 Disconnection from nature

It begins with awareness, plus one small shift at a time.

If You’re Not Sure Where to Start…

Sometimes the hardest part isn’t doing the work, it’s understanding what your body actually needs.

Not all dysregulation looks the same, and not all healing starts in the same place. This is the work I guide women through every day.

Not just surface-level habits, but learning how to regulate, release, and rebuild a relationship with their body and energy so they can actually feel different… not just try harder.

That’s exactly why I created this FREE Clarity Code Quiz.

It helps you identify your unique nervous system patterns and how they may be impacting your energy, your emotions, and your ability to move forward in your life.

From there, you’ll have a clearer starting point, and a deeper understanding of what your body is asking for.

You can take the quiz here!

Because when you understand your energy…everything begins to shift.

If you’re ready to go deeper, I also offer guided breathwork sessions and self-paced programs designed to help you regulate your nervous system and create more clarity, energy, and alignment in your life.

Additional Resources

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through them. I only recommend products I personally use and love.

• Joy at Work by Marie Kondo

• The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

• Healthy and Happy Home by Kimberley Gallagher

• The Western Guide to Feng Shui by Terah Kathryn Collins

• Energetic Boundaries by Cyndie Dale

With love, and healthy boundaries,

Jessica Marie

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Take a breath.

Not the rushed one between tasks…

but a slow inhale… and an even slower exhale.

If you’ve been feeling tired before your day even starts…

This might be why.

There’s a kind of exhaustion that sleep doesn’t fix.

It’s not just physical.

It’s the mental load you carry every day.

The invisible tabs that stay open in your mind:

• remembering schedules

• anticipating needs

• managing emotions (yours and everyone else’s)

• thinking ahead, planning, adjusting

• holding what hasn’t been said yet

Even when you’re resting…your mind is still working.

And your body feels it.

Because mental load isn’t just “thinking.”

It’s nervous system activation.

Your body stays slightly on edge.

Slightly alert.

Slightly braced.

And when that state becomes constant…your system never fully settles.

Which means you never fully rest.

This is why you can feel tired…even when you haven’t “done” that much yet.

You’re carrying more than you realize.

When your mind feels full, come back to your breath.

Try this:

• Inhale through your nose for 4

• Exhale slowly through your mouth for 6

• Repeat for a few minutes.

• Longer exhales signal safety to your nervous system.

They tell your body: You don’t have to hold everything right now.

Sometimes the mental load runs deeper than what a quick reset can shift. If your system has been holding too much for too long, my 1:1 Breathwork Sessions are a space for you to release, process, and reconnect with yourself. A space where you don’t have to be the strong one. A space where your body can finally exhale.

One of my favorite ways to support my nervous system (especially when I feel mentally overloaded) is a magnesium bath.

I use Ancient Minerals Sea Soak to help my body relax, release tension, and gently detox my energy.

I’ll usually add:

• a few drops of essential oils

• a bit of baking soda

And let it be a space where I don’t have to think… fix… or hold anything.

Sometimes the most powerful reset isn’t doing more it’s giving your body permission to soften.

Magnesium Bath

“I am allowed to put things down without everything falling apart.”

Let that soften something in you.

Take a moment today and ask yourself:

“What can I put down today… even temporarily?”

Not forever. Not perfectly. Just for now.

Notice what your body exhales when you give yourself that permission.

Energy Balancing Breathwork Series

If this resonates, this is your invitation.

The Energy Balancing Breathwork Series was created for women who are tired of carrying everything…and are ready to feel different.

This newly refreshed course includes 21 guided breath and visualization practices designed to help you:

• release built-up mental and emotional weight

• calm your nervous system

• feel more present and less overwhelmed

• reconnect with your body and intuition

• move through your day with more ease and clarity

You don’t need more time.

You don’t need more pressure.

You just need space to release what you’ve been holding.

Your energy is your greatest currency.

If you enjoy reflections like this, I share longer, more personal writing on Substack.

My Substack is where I explore healing, nervous system regulation, motherhood, intuition, and the real-life moments that shape who we become.

If you’re craving thoughtful conversations about growth and alignment, I’d love to have you there.

Subscribe now

You’re not just tired.

You’re carrying.

And you are allowed to put some of it down.

With love,

Jessica

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Happy Easter!

This season is often associated with renewal, rebirth, and new beginnings.

But what doesn’t get talked about enough…

is how quiet that renewal can actually feel.

They don’t have to be rushed, or dramatic.

Just slow… steady… and unfolding. Like a flower transitioning from a bud to full bloom.

So before we go any further, take a breath.

Remember that you are not late and you are not behind. Your life might just be blooming too.

There’s a subtle pressure that shows up this time of year. Spring arrives…The world starts moving again…

And suddenly there’s this expectation:

“I should be further along by now.”

Further along in your healing, goals, or your life.

But what if this slower season you’re in…isn’t a sign that something is wrong? What if it’s actually your nervous system recalibrating and preparing you for the next chapter?

Growth doesn’t happen in a rushed, overwhelmed body. Growth requires safety. It requires space to integrate what you’ve already been through…to process what you’ve been holding…to gently rebuild your internal foundation. And honestly, this gets to be the exciting part.

Your pace isn’t a reflection of your worth.

It’s a reflection of your capacity.

Your capacity expands when you allow yourself to move at a pace your body can actually support.

Spring doesn’t force growth. It allows it by preparing the environment for it.

And you are allowed to do the same.

If you’re in a slower season, one of the most nourishing things you can do is create without expectation.

I love these watercolor workbooks by Emily Lex because they invite you to slow down, be present, and create something beautiful without needing to be perfect.

There’s something deeply regulating about gentle creativity.

It’s not about productivity.

It’s about presence.

Sometimes healing looks like picking up a brush and letting yourself enjoy the moment.

Watercolor Workbooks by Emily Lex

“I trust my timing. My pace is part of my growth.”

Let that soften any urgency you’ve been carrying.

Survival Mode Reset

If your nervous system feels stuck in Survival Mode…

or you’ve been pushing through instead of pausing…

this is your place to begin.

Survival Mode Reset is a simple, supportive way to help you:

• Gently come out of stress and overwhelm without having to create a new schedule or routine. (No waking up an hour earlier)

• Reconnect with your body, with 7 days of support plus a bonus 8th day recording.

• Create small, sustainable shifts that actually stick including a 3 min breathwork recording

• Feel more grounded, calm, and in control of your energy alongside your family and friends

You don’t need a full life overhaul to begin again.

You just need a new perspective and moment to reset.

And sometimes the most powerful transformation starts with the smallest shift.

If you enjoy reflections like this, I share longer, more personal writing on Substack.

My Substack is where I explore healing, nervous system regulation, motherhood, intuition, and the real-life moments that shape who we become.

If you’re craving thoughtful conversations about growth and alignment, I’d love to have you there.

Subscribe now

Today isn’t about catching up.

It’s about honoring where you are.

And trusting that even in the quiet…

something within you is being renewed.

With love,

Jessica

Leave a comment

I’m so glad you’re here.

So you’re feeling overwhelmed, mentally exhausted, or like you’ve been stuck in survival mode for far too long, and this reset is for you. The practices are designed to gently guide your nervous system back into balance using simple, supportive shifts that your body actually responds to.

Read more

Spring has a way of making us feel like we should be doing something.

Cleaning.
Organizing.
Resetting routines.
Becoming more productive.

But what if the reset your body is actually asking for…
has nothing to do with productivity?

What if the reset you need is regulation?

Winter asks our bodies to slow down.

We spend months moving inward...physically, emotionally, energetically. Our nervous systems adapt to darker mornings, colder air, and quieter rhythms.

Then suddenly spring arrives.

The light changes.

The pace of life picks up again.

Expectations return.

And many people feel a strange tension during this transition...like their bodies haven’t caught up with the season yet.

That’s because a true spring reset isn’t just about cleaning your home or planning new goals.

It’s about releasing the tension your body stored through winter.

Before jumping into productivity mode, your nervous system may need space to:

• exhale what it’s been holding

• reconnect with the body

• gently reawaken your energy

Spring isn’t meant to be forced.

Nature doesn’t rush its transitions. Trees don’t bloom overnight.

Don’t forget that our bodies work the same way.

When you give yourself permission to slow down and reconnect, clarity and energy begin to return naturally, and you will bloom beautifully in your own time!

If your nervous system feels a little scattered right now, try this simple grounding practice in the morning:

1️⃣ Take three slow breaths before looking at your phone

2️⃣ Step outside or open a window and notice the air and light

3️⃣ Place one hand on your heart and ask: “What does my body need today?”

That’s it. Five minutes of presence can change how the entire day feels.

Because I’m high risk for breast cancer and very sensitive to artificial ingredients, I’m always mindful about the products I use on my body.

This Aesop Herbal Deodorant Spray is one of my favorites.

It’s aluminum-free and uses natural ingredients like sage leaf and witch hazel to reduce odor while staying gentle on the skin.

Beyond the physical benefits, I also love the energetic quality of these herbs. Sage and witch hazel have long been associated with cleansing and protection...helping to repel negative energy and support a sense of freshness and renewal.

Sometimes even the smallest rituals can help you feel more aligned and refreshed.

Aesop Herbal Deodorant Spray

“I allow my body to move at the pace of the season.”

You don’t have to rush the reset.

Sometimes the biggest barrier to change isn’t motivation...it’s clarity.

If you’re not sure what your next step is or why you feel blocked, take my Clarity Code Quiz.

It will help you identify what’s really driving your stuckness so you can move forward with more confidence and ease.

Because the most powerful resets don’t come from doing more.

They come from understanding yourself more deeply.

TAKE THE FREE QUIZ TODAY

If you enjoy reflections like this, I share longer, more personal writing on Substack.

My Substack is where I explore healing, nervous system regulation, motherhood, intuition, and the real-life moments that shape who we become.

If you’re craving thoughtful conversations about growth and alignment, I’d love to have you there.

Subscribe now

Spring isn’t asking you to become someone new.

It’s simply inviting you to come back into balance.

And sometimes the most powerful reset begins with a single breath.

With love,

Jessica

Leave a comment

This is a list (with links) of the things that she actually used in her dorm room her first year. Remember though, many of these things will not be needed beyond the first year so shop with that in mind. We ended up donating some of it to our neighbor and saving some of it for our son.

Also, as a tip for summer, I wish I would have just moved her stuff into storage instead of moving it all home and then back again in a few months.

And, if you want support in managing the emotional part of this journey, here’s something to help. The First Goodbye: A Mother’s Guide to College Drop-Off: Read Post Here.

Bed

Twin XL mattress pad I also put a memory foam mattress topper from her bed from home to make the mattress softer

Bed Risers- Only used this in the dorm

Twin Heated Blanket - still using

Headboard pillow wedge she loved this and brought it to her apartment the next year

Clip on bed light- still using. Helps with roommates on different schedules.

Organic Twin XL Sheets- not using since she has a full bed now, but I am saving for my son.

Dog/pet pillows- Not essential but so fun. I gave her these as a graduation gift. She still has them on her bed in her apartment

Twin XL Comforter- I let her pick out one she liked similar to this one. Her grandma gave her a bedding set for a graduation gift

Extra lap blanket like this one

Desk

Vanity Mirror with lights- still using year 2 in apartment

Desk lamp with phone charger- still using year 2 in apartment

Heat resistant curling iron Mat- Since she had to do her hair at her desk, this helped.

Desktop Bookshelf- Not necessary but she used it. I donated it to our neighbor because it didn’t fit in her apartment her sophomore year.

Makeup and toiletries organizer

Bath

Women shower slippers- threw away after first year

Mesh Shower Caddy- did not use this after the first year BUT will probably use it her Jr. year when she moves into sorority house.

Towels I gave her a monogrammed towel set for graduation

Misc

Moving bags- she uses these every time she comes home for longer breaks and over summer. They came in handy especially since she was on the 8th floor 2 years in a row!

4 digit combo lock this was for her locker in the dorm bathrooms

LEVOIT Air Purifier - Helpful

LEVOIT replacement filters I think I replaced every 6 months and I am glad I did because it was disgusting!!

Water filter pitcher- absolute MUST

Removable Wall hooks- still using

Space saving hangers-still using

Space Saving hangers-still using

Laundry Hamper

Collapsible laundry basket we actually didn’t get this until she moved into her apartment

Lightweight Vacuum - All the kids on her floor borrowed hers

Tower power strip- still using

Locking Storage ottoman- doubles as an extra seat and storage. Not required but helpful.

4 tier caddy- I don’t think she really used this but they were popular

Posters from Etsy- we printed these at Walgreens and tacked them on the wall

Pepper Spray (she kept getting these taken from her at concerts and airports but I think they’re nice to have. There’s also a thing that makes a high pitched noise that someone gave her)

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I recently read this; “I was so wrapped in the responsibilities of motherhood, that I almost forgot this was my first time experiencing motherhood in my 40s too” It reminded me that we often live for our children but we forget that it’s our life’s big moments and milestones too.

“There is no way to be a perfect mother, but a million ways to be a good one including letting them go.” - unknown

If you are a mom of a senior in high school, you might be counting down the months that you pack up your baby and move them into their first home away from home, living independently.

Here are 13 things that helped me get through this time both emotionally and physically. It was filled with excitement, and grief that no one, not even an article in Substack will prepare you for.

It can’t even be compared to the first day of kindergarten because in kindergarten, they come home the same day.

“A mother’s love doesn’t loosen when her child leaves home. It stretches, expands, and grows into a new shape. One that loves from a distance with the same depth as before.” -unknown

My hope for you is not to be able to fully describe or soften the emotions you will feel because there’s no way I can do that within this article.

But maybe, if you get in a rut and aren’t sure what to do with emotions that may or may not bubble up, you can return to this article and pick what resonates for you in those moments. These are the things that helped me through one of the biggest transitions and milestones of motherhood.

1. If you haven’t already done this, try to carve out quality time to spend with your child throughout their last months at home.

I know, we all have responsibilities, and the last few years in high school can be the busiest. Be mindful of the timing and maybe even consider where you can free up your schedule a bit from work or travel. You will be so glad if you planned a special family vacation, and extra days with the intention to just enjoy each other’s company.

This even looked like bingeing my daughter’s favorite Disney movies together on the couch for a weekend, or being intentional about going on a special shopping trip just to focus on the things she needs to prepare for her move.

We had intended on having a special cooking day to practice her favorite easy recipes but it didn’t ever happen which is okay, but I felt good about the time we had invested together before she left and you aren’t left with the “I wish I would have” feeling.

Create time just before the move to spend uninterrupted slow time with each other or as a family. We chose to go on a tropical vacation but this could look like going camping or even a hike.

2. Make sure you know when you will see them again before you drop them off.

It really helped me to have specific times planned for the fall for when I could look forward to seeing her in person again.

This included parent’s weekend, (which most colleges have around October) her performances, special concerts or sporting events that were in her college town that gave us a reason to meet up with her.

I have to admit, moving her in in August and waiting until October was too long for me so I made an excuse to visit a friend that lived close by in September, and dropped in to visit her for a few hours. I treated her to lunch and did a quick Trader Joes Run and headed home. All I needed was a quick peek at her and her situation and a hug and it helped. She looked so vibrant, and happy that I wondered how moving improved her energy so much.

Side note, my daughter attends school 2.5 hours away so this is feasible for us. This may not be an option for a student who lives further. Also, my daughter didn’t struggle with homesickness and made friends pretty easily. If this isn’t your child’s experience, I’m not sure if showing up within a month is the healthiest solution for them.

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Before we begin…

Take a slow breath in.
Now exhale like you’re setting something down.

If you’ve ever walked into a room and immediately scanned the energy, if you feel tension before anyone says a word, or if you adjust yourself to keep the peace…

this message is for you

Have you ever noticed how quickly you take responsibility for other people’s emotions?

Do you smooth things over?

Do you explain yourself carefully?

Do you manage tone?

Are you trying to always anticipate reactions?

Do you hold space for others even when you’re exhausted?

Somewhere along the way, that ability became part of your identity.

But here’s something important I want you to know:

Just because you can feel and manage the emotional temperature of a room doesn’t mean it’s your job to regulate everyone in it.

Many of us learned early on that keeping others calm meant staying safe.

So we became attuned, hyper-aware, and emotionally responsible.

Being responsible for everyone else’s feelings often comes at a cost:

You disconnect from your own feelings to attend to others.

You override your needs to make others feel comfortable.

You live in subtle tension, because you are trying to stay safe.

And over time, that tension becomes your baseline.

Breathwork is one of the most powerful ways to unwind this pattern.

Because when you regulate your nervous system first, you stop absorbing everything around you.

You begin to understand the difference between:

✨ What is yours

✨ And what was never yours to carry

And that distinction changes everything.

When you’re someone who feels responsible for everyone else’s emotions, it can be easy to forget your own power.

That’s why I love the Goddess Power Deck.

This deck is full of beautiful artwork and empowering messages that help you reconnect with strength, intuition, compassion, and sovereignty...especially on days when you feel like you’ve been giving more than you’ve received.

I like to pull a card when I’m feeling energetically drained or before breathwork sessions. It’s a gentle way to ask:

✨ What energy am I meant to embody today?

✨ What strength within me wants to rise?

Sometimes empowerment isn’t loud.

Sometimes it’s simply remembering who you are.

If you’re working on releasing emotional responsibility that isn’t yours, this deck is a beautiful reminder that you are powerful, supported, and allowed to take up space.

Goddess Power Oracle Deck

“I can be compassionate without carrying what isn’t mine.”

Let that land.

If you’re someone who feels everything…

who carries more than you should…

who needs a consistent space to come back to yourself…

The Energy Balancing Breathwork Series was created for you.

This self-paced course helps you:

• Regulate your nervous system

• Release what you’ve been holding

• Build awareness around your energetic patterns

• Strengthen your internal foundation

• Reconnect with creativity, purpose, and presence

There are 21 short breath and visualization practices designed to fit into your real life...even if you’re busy with work, kids, and responsibilities. Plus a full workbook to guide you through the whole experience.

You can move at your own pace.

Access it on your phone or computer.

Return to it anytime you need grounding.

Like a tree strengthening its roots, breathwork helps you stabilize internally so you can expand externally.

Your energy is your greatest currency.

This course helps you protect it.

UNLOCK THE SERIES

If you love this content, become a subscriber here on Substack! I write more vulnerably...about growth, intuition, motherhood, healing, and the messy in-between moments we don’t always say out loud.

If you’re craving deeper conversations, subscribe and join me.

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You don’t have to stop being empathetic.

But you are allowed to stop carrying everything.

And the first step isn’t controlling the room.

It’s breathing inside your own body.

With love,

Jessica

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