Hello, friend. I'm Janessa, and I'm so glad you're here.

In this episode, I want to introduce myself and share a bit of my story so you can understand where I'm coming from and why this podcast exists. My life has been a journey of ups and downs, just like so many of you out there, and I believe that sharing my perspective will help us connect on a deeper level as we move forward together.

I grew up in a small town in North Dakota, a place where I always felt like I didn't quite fit in. I was imaginative, curious, and vocal, but the community I grew up in wasn't open to new perspectives. So I learned to shrink myself to feel safe and belong. That led to years of bullying, depression, anxiety, and a deep disconnect from who I truly was.

I stayed small for a long time, even into my first marriage. But when I went through my divorce, everything changed. I started reconnecting with myself and what I truly desired in my life. It wasn't easy. There were tears, judgment from others, and moments where I questioned everything. But I stood firm in making the best decision for myself, and that's when I began the process of reinvention.

This transformation didn't happen overnight. It's been a six to seven year journey filled with mistakes, errors, and plenty of moments where society looked at me and asked, "What are you doing?" But through intentionality, clarity, grace, and compassion with myself, I learned to discern what I truly wanted, what my values were, and how I wished to show up for myself.

I'm not here to tell you that your life needs to be perfect in order to love it. Mine isn't perfect. There are still things I'm working toward, like living somewhere with a warmer climate. But I've learned that I can love my life right now while also working toward what's next. And that's what I want for you.

Every morning, I'll be bringing you actionable reflections to help you disconnect from the external world and reconnect with yourself in a much deeper way. This is a space for you to learn, grow, and set clear intentions so you can build your life from a place of peace, joy, ease, and gratitude.

I'm so grateful you're here, listening in and taking these important steps to learn more about yourself so you can truly design a life you love living.

Download the Kollab app and join our Living Life You Love podcast community. That's where episodes are uploaded every morning first, and it's the easiest way to connect with me directly. I'll be communicating with you there, listening to your insights, and hearing what you want to learn more about. It's also a great place to connect with other members of this community and share what you're learning through this experience. https://livingthelifeyoulove.app.clientclub.net/

Take a deep breath. Let's do this together.