How Can I Help?

What better way to write about being the Mom Friend than me taking on 'mom duty' for a week watching a little girl that I treat as my own? She claims this is a "bacation" for both her parents and us. It always makes me chuckle.  Moving on.  I am a mother and don't have any of my own kids. But in a sense, I do. Being the 'mom friend' gives me a purpose by making me reliable and giving others a reason to need me.  --"But Jenna, surely your friends would still need and love you even if you were a bit unhinged. You take care of others more than yourself." -- Well, here's the thing, I may be unhinged and feel like I NEED the validation of caring for others to feel better about my purpose in life.  I also love being the 'mom friend.'  Need a ride? I'll take care of you. Want to go out but not risk driving? I'll take care of you.  I'm more than just a designated driver.  Need a bandaid? Tylenol? Maybe ace wrap an ankle? I'll...

"Mr. Forgettable" by David Kushner A song that has stayed close to me since it was released last year in 2022.  The opening lyrics: "I know that you're waiting for me like a dog, but have some patience for the part of me that's lost." The wonderful thing about music is the meaning behind each song and how it relates to each listener differently. This song was originally written from the perspective of the artist's grandfather with Alzheimer's. Tonight was the first time learning about this tribute and a part of me felt selfish for thinking it could be about anything more than the incredible meaning it already has.  Then I reminded myself that music is supposed to allow us to think deeper behind the lyrics and make it more personal. A song is written by their artist with an intent, but how the intent shifts to make a connection between an artist and the listener is what brings the magic to music.  Therefore, I made this song personal.  Just yesterday,...

Do you know what color he chose?  Yellow.  -- "Jenna... come on. Your best friend has drilled into your head that yellow is NOT your color for years. And you let a boy tell you he wanted them to be YELLOW???" -- "THEN he broke your heart 6 days later, and you picked off your acrylic nails only 8 days after telling your nail technician at the salon, "I think I found a good one!"  -- Yes, that's how it went. It's been 4 months since I lost myself because I let a man pick my nail color. So, what did I learn from this experience? I learned that I allowed someone else to make decisions for my well-being with no second thought. I learned that I overthought the situation and wondered, "Oh, maybe he'll like me more if I show him that I'd do this for him." I overthought how he would react when I sent him a picture of my freshly done nails. The response I got was "No wayy!"  Actually yes way, and I lied about saying I didn't hate t...

I use this phrase often. Possibly more often than it's meant to be used, but this phrase means so much to me.    Examples of how I’ve used it recently:    I’m proud of you for  trying . I’m proud of you for  eating . I’m proud of you for  studying . I’m proud of you for  getting help .  I’m proud of you for  working hard .  I’m proud of you for  surviving today .  I’m proud of you for  doing your best .  I’m proud of you for  waking up today .  I’m proud of you for  putting yourself first .  I’m proud of you for  feeling your feelings .  I’m proud of you for  standing up for yourself .    Did you notice how none of these result in a trophy, ceremony, or a signed piece of paper? Right, because pride is more than an object or form of gratitude. The feeling of pride is meant to boost confidence and be recognized that your efforts are being seen by ...

More Selfish, Less Selfless --"What do you mean, Jenna? People don't like selfish people."  --I know, but an even balance between the two would be helpful for my own self-worth.  I have trouble accepting the motto, "My self-worth is not determined by others."  Last night, I watched my church service online, and my pastor ended the messag e with a very powerful idea for all of us college students to ponder as we went on with the week. He pointed to himself and said, "More glory here, more desire here, more attention here, more longing here, more for myself."  I live for other people. Whether that means picking up a shift to help out, giving a friend a ride, listening, and giving advice when I might be going through my own struggles. It's on a rare occasion that I do something for myself.  In a sense, I need to allow myself to be more selfish in many ways. I need to love myself. My goal for this year is to do things for myself that gives me a feeling...

Easy  answer: not where I expected to be Better answer: taking some time for myself Okay, a proper explanation:       If you had asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up at the age of 9, I would have told you I wanted to be a teacher, just like my mom. I had the whole “school house set up” in my basement, along with dolls as my students, a real teacher’s guide, lesson plans, and a grading book.       However, those dreams vanished when I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 10. After that, I knew I was destined to help others with their own diagnosis. As I said before, helping people is a part of who I am, and I believe that I was diagnosed to use my experiences as a diabetic to help others.       During my high school career, I obtained my Certified Nursing Assistant license and was introduced to the healthcare system. I worked in a nursing home and, currently, in a hospital. When they say burnout is real, it’s real. ...

     Hello! Welcome to my journey: the past, the present, and the future! Today, while getting lunch with an old friend, I was reminded to understand that everyone is on their own path, and each journey looks different for everyone on this Earth. I want to be the one that reminds you to embrace the journey you're currently trying to understand because I am on one of my own! I want to share my experiences, struggles, strengths, and everything in between to help you know that you're not alone in what you might be going through, whether that be mentally, physically, or emotionally. First and foremost,  YOUR FEELINGS ARE VALID.       "How Can I Help?" may have seemed like a loaded question thrown in your face the second you opened this blog. I'm sorry. That would have made me overwhelmed, too. But I want to explain what that phrase can mean to you. Asking for help looks different for everyone. I hope I can help you in a way that makes YOU comfort...