Life Updates with Jess

Blooms courtesy of sweet neighbours and friends.

Hello beautiful people! It’s been a while again. I find it easy to make excuses for not posting, and, while I still don’t feel I have much to share, here’s what’s been happening.

- I turned twenty-one. It sounds so old; I honestly don’t feel more than seventeen. I didn’t want a party or anything fancy, but at the last minute I emailed family and friends to let them know they were welcome to come over for a meal the day after my birthday. They all came. A few people couldn’t make it, but I was so, so overwhelmed by the effort they made for me. I have such wonderful people in my life, and I just want to shout thank you! If you have people in your life who care about you, treasure them and let them know. It’s such a wonderful privilege.

 - I’m taking a social media break, namely from Instagram and Pinterest. It might not sound like much, but I’m amazed at the impact it's had. I heard that the amount of time spent on social media is directly linked to depression or anxiety, and I believe it. I feel incredible freedom not ‘having’ to check my phone or keep up with everything. I have more time. But there’s also so much more mental space. My mind is not consumed with content I’ve seen, comparisons I’m making, and a restlessness to experience more. It’s been fantastic, and I recommend it to everyone. If you do decide to have a social media fast, my tips would be: make a definite and specific commitment, and have something to replace it with – it’s in the moments of boredom or stress that it’s most tempting to reach for the phone again. 

- Because of the social media fast, I’ve been reading a lot. I read more in August than what was ‘normal’ for me to read in three months. I used to read a lot, and I’m enjoying getting back to it again. Reading voraciously does mean it’s hard to absorb and remember the books I’ve read, but a few which I really wanted to digest I went back and summarised the main thoughts of the chapters, and that helped to cement them in my mind. My sister and I are going to a second-hand bookfair this weekend, and we’re so excited about it, haha. I’ve rediscovered the magic of reading, and it’s entirely wonderful.

- As far as those life responsibilities we’re meant to pursue as grownups, I finished my counseling studies mid this year, and I still have my job delivering mail. It’s good, though it seems no matter how old I get or how organized I think my life is, I always arrive back at this place of what am I meant to be doing now? At the moment I’m looking for more work, contemplating more study, and wondering what direction to take next.

- I struggle so much with being open, but transparency is something I need to cultivate, so here: I’ve been struggling with fear and insecurity a lot recently. One of the things it’s targeting is this area of career. I have a vision: I want to totally redo my blog, and use it as my ministry to pour into people; broaden and deepen my online presence, as God leads. That’s what I believe God wants for me. But I have doubts, I have inadequacies, and I also have frustration when it comes to the technicalities of website building. I’ve been stalling on it for months, although I know it’s what I’m meant to be doing. Like I said above, I’m looking for more work and education, but it’s a half-hearted endeavour because I know it would be temporary. I don’t know if that makes sense, but if you would like to pray I find courage for this situation, I’d be so appreciative. 

- While that sounds depressing – and it is if I dwell on it too long – there are lots of little things giving me joy in life. Spring is coming, and I’m so excited for warmer weather and sunshine. Trees are starting to bud and blossom, and it’s such a hopeful time of year. We’ve had a little bit of rain, and it always makes things fresh and alive. Also, Ephesians is a wonderful book, if you’re looking for where to read next in the Bible. (Thanks to Abbiee for recommending it the other day – it’s been so good to reread!)

So, that’s a little bit of the happenings here. Let me know if you have any book recommendations or tips on having courage. And do tell me what’s been going on in your life, and how I can be praying for you! I appreciate you all. xx