join

Jan 20

Scenes from my Week

hot tea
I often find myself susceptible to the post-holiday blues in and around this time each year. The city can feel cold, grey, and lifeless once all of the twinkly lights and glitter are packed away, which can be a trigger if you’ve ever struggled with your mental health. I’ve dealt with minor depression and anxiety off and on throughout my life, and I typically find the months of January and February to be particularly difficult…

Though, in person, I’m very comfortable, candid, and honest with these struggles, I don’t believe I’ve ever voiced these issues in such a public forum, which I’m determined to change in 2017. I find myself craving more honesty, more vulnerability, and less of a façade in the blogging realm – and it’s inspiring me to shift gears a little around here. We’re all human, fighting our own battles, despite what our perfectly curated Instagram pages may tell you. 

I’ve convinced myself in years’ past that you come back here day after day for the pretty, which has made me hesitant to share my struggles. But the reality is that it’s harder to appreciate the sweet without the sour, and the older I get, the more I realize that being a part of the conversation – to attempt to remove the stigma – in one way or another is imperative.

I’ve spent the last two years pouring many hours of work into my mental health, and I’m proud of all that I’ve accomplished thus far. Between regular appointments with my therapist, getting plenty of sleep, and a new-found love for exercise, I don’t recall ever feeling this level headed and blissful this time of year. And it’s something that I simply wanted to commemorate, if only so I can remind myself on those days that don’t quite feel so easy. Because they won’t always be easy, and that’s okay too.

As always, here’s a peek at my cold, grey, and rainy, yet equally blissful, week in photos. And please, let me know, is wellness, both mental and physical, something you’d be interested in seeing more of? I’d love to hear your thoughts on the matter.

{ABOVE: Hot tea on a grey day}

puppy cone{someone has finally gotten used to her cone*}

delica kitchen{picking up a wholesome lunch at Delica Kitchen}

niece snuggles
{snuggling my sweet niece, Andie}

ps: you can find my sweater here – on sale!

ranunculus

{blush ranunculus, still going strong}

*not only has she gotten used to her cone, but she’s begun to take advantage by using it as a resting spot for her toys as she gnaws on them – ha!

filed in  / 

  1. Sonia says:

    How refreshing! Jacquelyn you are a a breath of fresh air in Blog’sphere!
    Please continue to be yourself. I am sure your world is really pretty and full of beuatiful things in reality too – and being honest this way is one beuatiful thing!

  2. Michelle says:

    Jacquelyn,

    I love the truth and I love when people around us whom we look up to get honest, honest that it is not all sunshine and roses and actually we wouldn’t want it that way. If you don’t have dark you don’t appreciate light. I too have struggled with anxiety especially when things are going great which is crazy,right??? But I have found like you the tricks the mental tricks that help. I love meditation and was one who thought it was crazy to think doing it would quiet my mind but it does. For someone who is big thinker and very motivated to achieve, keeping my mind quiet and focused has made me more productive and effective. Bravo Jacquelyn! Keep sharing your truth.

    • Thank you so much, Michelle! I really wish I had shared some of my struggles when I was in the thick of it. Though I know it’s something I’ll always have to keep in check, I definitely feel like I have it under control, at least right now. Discovering meditation literally changed my life. Have you tried Oprah and Deepak’s 21 day meditation experiences? It helped me immensely. I also notice that if I don’t get enough sleep the anxiety creeps in. I think being aware of your triggers, and learning some coping mechanisms – even if it’s as simple as reminding yourself that it’s just a bad day, not a bad life, is key.

  3. Amy says:

    Hi- I rarely comment but I read your blog daily. I really enjoy the pretty (of course) but I also enjoy the realness you offer to by being honest about your struggles. It makes it all more relatable to everyone who reads your blog who has their own issues. Please keep it up as I really appreciate the honesty and the look behind the instagrammable moments. Would love to see more wellness focused posts on your blog.

  4. Hi dear! I am one of those people who comes to your blog for the pretty, but I appreciate honesty and real life even more. It makes me realize that I’m not alone… I too struggle with anxiety. Daily meditation, eating a clean diet, exercise, sleep, and maintaining a spiritual practice are things that have really helped me. I’ve mentioned that on my blog a few times and I get a lot of feedback from people who really appreciate the advice! So please share when you feel led to share. Doing so is just as beautiful as anything else… :)

    • I used to be incredibly secretive about my struggles, but the more I face them head on, the more I’m encouraged to open the dialogue. It is absolutely insane how many people these days struggle with the same issues. I’m so sorry to hear that you, too, struggle. And I can totally relate to your coping mechanisms. All of the above have been game changers for me. Thank you for sharing! I know it’s not easy <3

  5. Jax, what a wonderful post and I think it’s wonderful you are using your platform to speak out. This time of year is hard for so many people and undoubtably you will help many by sharing and continue to share what helps you. As someone who has know you for a long time now (how are we so old) just know that you are always a bright light- always inspiring and always a good friend. You talked me through many a crisis in my life back in the day- and I’ll be forever grateful for it. Keep up being you, and sharing it all with the world.

  6. Lawren says:

    Love this, & so important to take & share the sweet with the sour. No one has a perfect life however they may portray it on social media. You’re a breath of fresh air!!

    Lawren
    http://www.saltwaterandstilettos.com

  7. Susie says:

    I love your blog and read it daily. You have taken it a step further with your transparency and being real is what draws people. We are all just trying to do the best that we can and what else can there be? Thanks for sharing your humane side it makes for a great reach!

  8. Susan says:

    You go girl. Such a overused phrase, but there when you mean it. And I mean it. It seems that the more people open up, the more we are the same.

  9. Carol says:

    I must admit when I started following your account it was for the pretty. Since following along I now follow you for YOU. You have let us into your life by sharing your home purchase, your family and of course the beautiful Sage and now your journey. Thanks for being you!

  10. Mom says:

    My dear daughter: You continue to amaze me almost on a daily basis. A wonderful honest refreshing blog. You are such a gift to the world!!
    We ALL struggle. You somehow manage to put these struggles into words that resonate with almost any human being…Magic..pure magic.

  11. Neelam says:

    Thank you so much for your courage. As someone who has struggled with depression myself I’ve been asking myself the same question: how to authentically share who I am, which includes the struggle and darkness. You’ve set a beautiful example of the power of vulnerability and truth.
    xx
    Neelam

  12. Susan says:

    So many of us share these troubles at some level and I found your post uplifting and ‘pretty.’ Thanks!

  13. Jacquelyn! I appreciate this post so so much! January and Feb are some of the hardest months for me as well, and I’ve found that to get through them I need to be consistent with my fitness routines. It gives me so much clarity and energy to get through the gloomy months. Thankful for you and for your honesty. xo

  14. Heidi says:

    You know I already love ya but now I love ya even more! <3

  15. Jen says:

    Although I don’t wish seasonal depression on anyone it’s comforting to me to read this. I myself suffer the same and by March I’m sort of a hot mess inside. It’s gotten worse after I had my kids. I try to avoid medication as I feel like it puts me in more of a fog. My goal right now is to just try and eat healthier and exercise more as I see a big difference but it’s such a struggle in these couple months. So thank you for sharing your story and being open about it.

    • Hi Jen, I’m so sorry to hear that you, too, suffer. Like you, I’ve resisted medication. I don’t even like taking advil when I have a headache, and haven’t used birth control for a while now. I know that everyone’s different, and some people don’t have a choice, but I’ve definitely been able to take matters into my own hands. Being accutely aware of how I’m feeling each day, and being sensitive to it, has been huge. In addition, staying hydrated, getting lots of sleep, eliminating screen time and getting exercise, in addition to talk therapy, changed my life. Definitely take care of yourself, and I hope this winter is a quick one for you!

  16. Mary says:

    Jacquelyn, I can’t tell you how glad I am to find someone else feeling this same way! I’ve been only blogging for a year (www.youmeserendipity.com), but that balance between honesty and the facade is something I’ve struggled with off and on. An experience I had in Paris at the very beginning of this month snapped me out of that facade very quickly (I watched a blogger I followed treat people so rudely in a restaurant while trying to curate her meal and the environment around her) and I’m eager to take on a year of honesty as well in my blog. I’ll definitely be following along and encouraging you this year, and I’d love for you to do the same for me! Hooray for an honest and open 2017!

  17. Debbie says:

    Jacqueline – thank you so much for this sensitive, thoughtful and honest post. I admire and respect your courage, as I know that it’s not easy to share something so personal. I too, have suffered with anxiety and depression, have struggled to find the right combination of practices to help me deal with the down times and have hesitated to talk about what I was going through. I’m so happy for you that you’ve gotten to a place where you can be blissful! And thank you. Thank you so much for courage and honesty. You are an inspiration.

    • Thank you for the kind words Debbie. Please know that you are NOT alone. That has never been more apparent than it is today. Legitimately 95% of the emails/messages/texts/comments I’ve received about this post have said that they, too, suffer. Talking about it is a huge help

  18. Jess says:

    Hey sister, I’m right there with you!! So nice to know I’m not alone, thank you for sharing :) I find it’s always important to remind myself that I didn’t choose anxiety/depression, it just happened to me, because it’s so easy to get it wrapped up in my sense of self (makes you wish it was as obvious and distinct as a broken leg). But talking helps! Because if people know what you have going on, then you don’t have to make excuses for the disease every time you don’t feel 100% up for life. Lots of love your way! xoxo

    • Jess! I had no idea that you suffered on occasion as well. That is such a wonderful reminder – I’ve never thought of it that way. So many hugs to you, and if you EVER want to talk I hope you know I’m always here

  19. Nikki says:

    Thank you for sharing your journey with us!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *