I have some exciting news I wanted to share with you guys! I started a digital shop within my blog. It’s called “Jades Cozy Nook.”
I’m stoked about this, I started this shop because I wanted to create kits that just might help your life run a little smoother.
Right now, the shop shelves are a little bare at the moment. But the store just launched, so all I ask is patience. I have lots of ideas on what to create. Currently you will find a mini caregiver bundle titled Checklist, Chaos and Coffee .
Coming soon
Journal – 7 day Reset for Stressed Parents with humorous quotes for each day. Intro Price ($8) Regular price ($12)- In the Shop
Mega Caregiver Kit- Surviving on Caffeine and Compassion. Intro Price ($15) Regular price ($20)
Parenting is exhausting, messy, and often hilarious. I created this 7-day journal to help stressed parents survive it all. It offers a little humor and self-reflection. Inside, you’ll find:
Motivation Monday: Celebrate your parenting wins of the day with a prompt like “My Parenting Win of the Day?” paired with a funny, relatable quote: “I didn’t lose my cool… much.”
Two-Coffee Tuesday: Pause and notice the little joys — “What made you smile today?” — while laughing at “Finding Zen Between Snack Time and Tantrums.”
Who Stole My Energy Wednesday: Track what drained your energy and vent a little, inspired by “I swear my energy left while I was folding laundry… and it’s not answering my calls.”
Therapy Needed Thursday: Reflect on the favorite moments of your day and embrace humor with “I childproofed my house… but they still get in.”
Finally Friday: End the workweek by practicing self-kindness with “What is one kind thing I can do for myself?” alongside “My house isn’t messy, it’s lived in… heavily.”
Surviving Saturday: Count your accomplishments and laugh at the chaos with “Some days you win, some days you just survive.”
Snack and Chill Sunday: Reflect on lessons learned with “What did I learn this week?” and giggle at “I say ‘because I said so’ more than I’d like.”
Plus, the journal includes:
3-2-1 Self-Reflection Page: Look back at your week and celebrate yourself — 3 things you love, 2 things you want to improve, and 1 thing you mastered, all paired with the humorous quote: “Parenting really makes you reflect…mostly on how your parents survived you.”
Venting Page: A free space to let it all out, guided by “Venting is my version of meditation — with more eye rolling.”
This journal isn’t just for tracking your week — it’s a fun, real, and comforting companion that helps you laugh, reflect, and survive parenthood, one chaotic, coffee-fueled day at a time.
This little gem is finally out in the world — a 7-day journal made for the parents who are surviving on coffee, chaos, and occasional bursts of patience. It’s not fancy. It’s not perfect, but it’s real — just like parenting. And at only $8, it’s basically cheaper than that extra-large latte you probably need by Wednesday.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the people in our lives. They give so much of themselves every day. I’m referring to caregivers. They look after loved ones. They help friends. They support those in need. They often put everyone else first. They barely get a moment to breathe.
I’m definitely not a professional caregiver. I know how chaotic caring for others can get. Sometimes all you need is a little lifeline (or coffee… okay, mostly coffee). That’s how my Mini Caregiver Kit: Checklist, Chaos, and Coffee was born. It’s a simple, printable bundle. It includes pages to track tasks and appointments. It also tracks those little reminders that somehow always slip your mind. The goal? Helping caregivers feel a bit more organized, supported, and maybe even a tiny bit like they have their life together. If I did this right, you can also use it on whatever device you bought it with. It’s my first digital product, so go easy on me. No assembly required, promise.
It’s my way of saying, I see you, and I appreciate you. Also here is something so you loose your mind.
If you know a caregiver who needs a bit of relief or organization, this kit might help them.
Hey there, how are you guys doing today? Stressed? Same. I can’t even count how many times I’ve asked Google “how do I handle stress” — at this point, Google probably sighs before answering me. And of course, it gives me the same basic tips every single time: take a walk, breathe deeply, exercise, listen to music. (Sure, the music works… until your kids start arguing in the background or your neighbor decides today’s the day to mow their lawn at 7 am on a Saturday morning). I’m just trying to bring something a little different to the therapy table. (Yes, pun intended. And no, I’m not apologizing for it.
Write anything that comes to your mind
Brain Dumping
I’m sure at some point, while panicking and Googling “stress relief,” you came across the advice to journal your emotions. Now, I don’t know about you, but when I’m stressed, the last thing I care about is whether my sentences are complete or if I’m abusing commas like they owe me money. And journaling? Please. It just turns into one long rant that would make zero sense to anyone else—but hey, that’s actually the point. That’s what I like to call a good ol’ brain dump
You just grab a notebook, scrap paper, a napkin—literally anything—and scribble down every single thing that’s stressing you out. Don’t worry about making it neat or poetic; this isn’t English class, and nobody’s grading you. It doesn’t matter if your handwriting looks like a toddler’s or if halfway through you give up and start doodling angry stick figures stabbing “Monday” with tiny pitchforks. (Honestly, that’s encouraged.) When you’re done—and no, it probably won’t be 20 pages long, but hey, if you’re that stressed, go off—here’s the dramatic part: you burn it. Safely, of course. I’m not trying to have you explaining to the fire department that your therapist told you to “light your problems on fire” like some emotional arsonist.
Why does this actually help? I’m glad you asked. The scribbling part is basically a stress detox for your brain. You dump the junk out of your head and onto paper so it stops ping-ponging around in there. And the burning part? That’s the fun bit—it’s like firing your problems. Literally. It’s your own mini “you’re fired” moment, except instead of a toxic coworker, it’s your anxiety going up in smoke. Plus, there’s something oddly satisfying about watching those little paper worries curl up and disappear like they were never there. It’s the cheapest therapy session you’ll ever have.
Shower Therapy
Cold and Warm Contrasts Showers.
Anyone who’s desperate to deal with stress will try just about anything once. Cold showers? Yeah… it’s not exactly my first pick for stress relief. In fact, it feels like it should cause more stress than it fixes 😅. But stick with me here because, apparently, science knows better than my brain. The trick is simple: at the end of your shower, switch the water to cold for 30 seconds, then back to warm. That’s it. Thirty seconds. You can survive that.
Why does it work? Well, for starters, your body releases endorphins—basically little happiness messengers running around your system, and doing high-fives inside your brain. Then, it restarts your fight-or-flight response like a mini pep talk for your nervous system. Who knew a bit of icy water could tell your body, “You’ve got this!” It’s like a tiny boot camp for your stress levels, minus the sweating and awkward gym shorts.
Small Victory’s
Create a Victory Jar
This one takes a tiny bit of effort, but I promise it’s worth it—and by “tiny bit,” I mean so small you can do it while binge-watching Netflix. It’s basically a little pick-me-up in a jar. Grab a mason jar (or any random glass jar you have lying around that isn’t already holding spaghetti sauce), a pad of sticky notes, and a pencil. Keep them together so they’re easy to grab.
Every time you do something good—no matter how tiny or ridiculous—write it on a sticky note and toss it in the jar. Did your kids survive the day without setting the house on fire? Stick it in the jar. Did you somehow get through a mountain of laundry without crying? Jar it. Did you resist eating the entire carton of ice cream in one sitting? Definitely jar it. Seriously, there are no rules here. Even “I didn’t hit snooze six times this morning” counts.
Then, when life decides to throw a surprise tantrum your way, you open the jar and remember: hey, I have done some good stuff. Little victories add up, and this jar becomes a weirdly satisfying little trophy case of “look at me being a human!” It’s cheap, it’s silly, and it works. Plus, it’s fun to shake the jar and imagine it rattling with all your tiny but mighty accomplishments.
Fake Laugh
Have you ever had to “fake it till you make it”? Yeah, me too. Sometimes life is less “thriving adult” and more “confused raccoon with a Wi-Fi bill.” But here’s the thing—your brain is basically that gullible friend who will believe almost anything you tell it. If you trick it into thinking you’re having a good time, it actually releases dopamine, which is like your brain’s little party favor.
That’s why people say laughter is medicine—it’s basically your body’s way of handing you a free antidepressant without the side effects or pharmacy line. And the bonus? While you’re busy cracking up (even if it’s at your own bad jokes, memes, or that time you texted your boss instead of your best friend), your cortisol—the stress hormone—starts taking a backseat. Slowly, but surely, your stress levels come down. It’s like giving your brain a bubble bath while you’re just sitting there giggling at cat videos.
Create a Worry Box
While we’re out here stressing like a cat who just caught a glimpse of its own shadow (or worse, a cucumber), we still secretly want to be creative and in control. So here’s a little trick: get yourself a jar. Or, if you’re feeling extra Pinterest-y, go ahead and make a whole box—just don’t let it turn into a “craft project” that stresses you out even more. The idea is simple: write down whatever is gnawing at your brain, fold it up like a tiny paper burrito of worry, and toss it into the jar or box. Why does this help?
First, you don’t have to keep repeating your worries like a broken record player from the ’90s. Second, it’s like giving your brain a hall pass that says, “Hey, it’s okay, I put that problem on timeout.”I just gave you 5 things you can do to help with your stress, and let’s be real—none of them are magic wands (though honestly, if Amazon ever starts selling those, I’m buying in bulk).
And honestly, sometimes we just need to trick our own minds into chilling out. Because let’s face it—worrying is part of being human. We all do it. But the trick is not letting it set up camp, start a bonfire, and roast marshmallows in your head. Life is way too short to let stress hog all the snacks at your mental party.
Wrapping Things Up
It’s not easy to admit when you’re overwhelmed, and it’s definitely not easy to ask for help 😕. But whether you ended up here because you searched “how to handle stress” on Google, or because you accidentally typed “why am I like this” and landed on a rabbit hole of life advice, the point is… you took the first step. And that’s huge. Like, give yourself a cookie huge.
The truth is, everyone has bad days. Some people just get really good at hiding it behind fake smiles, sarcasm, or pretending their third iced coffee of the day is just “a little treat.” Others are probably reading posts like this one, nodding along like “yep, totally got my life together now,” when really they’re also one traffic jam away from losing it. And that’s normal. Stress doesn’t care how strong you are—it’ll show up uninvited like that one neighbor who always wants to “borrow” something but never gives it back. The trick is finding ways to deal with it before it eats up all your energy.
So hey, whether this post helps you laugh, breathe, or at least remember that you’re not the only one secretly Googling your way through life—mission accomplished. And if nothing else, now you know at least one other person (hi, me 👋) is also winging it and trying to figure it out along the way. 😅 Well, I think my work here is done, so until next time, have a blessed day.
“If you’d like to make my day (and help keep the blog fueled), consider buying me a $2 coffee! It’s the kind of support that comes with caffeine and gratitude.”
We’re somehow led to believe that our problems are like that embarrassing family photo—better off hidden away while we plaster on a smile and pretend everything is just peachy. It’s as if our lives are too messy for some people to handle, like trying to explain TikTok to your grandma. We should absolutely be able to share our woes and get the support we need to dodge the emotional tidal wave that’s about to sweep us away. Seriously, we deserve a lifebuoy when we’re flailing around! But instead, we get those cheerful “You okay?” greetings that are basically just an invitation to gossip, leaving us feeling a bit like a reality show contestant—everyone wants the juicy details, but no one wants to help.
Help the future you
Well, I wanna say it’s ok to not be ok. It’s ok to cry and have that emotional meltdown 😢. Believe it or not, when you have a good cry, you can then deal with the problem in front of you more clearly. When you cry, you’re not just making your face red and eyes puffy. You are releasing the hurt you feel and the pain you feel. It may not be better after one cry session you might have to have multiple of them. But each time you have a good cry, the cry is not as deep, or the duration isn’t as long as the one before. You owe it to your future self to get the help you need. Only you know what that looks like. It could be as simple as a talk session with a friend over coffee or perhaps more complex. You need to talk about a session with a licensed therapist.
It is OK, To Ask for Help
Now I’m not saying you have to be overly sensitive and cry over every little thing that goes wrong. I’m talking about those breakups and the bad news that you weren’t intending on hearing. Or the possible childhood abuse effects on our life, like anxiety, angered easily or perhaps insecurity. It’s easier to be in denial than admit your hurt.
I know so many people in my own personal life hide how things affect them. Like they have things under control when you know they are a ticking emotional time bomb. But we need to get the help we deserve when we don’t know how to handle emotions on our own. Not everyone knows how to handle what they are feeling. It ok to ask for help to get on the right path to helping you feel better.
Who wrote the book if you have an emotional moment, your weak? Why are we listening when it clearly doesn’t help. I think it’s just the opposite. You are strong enough to show these emotions to let yourself feel the emotions and feel hurt.If you keep it inside, you will eventually explode, and that can be dangerous, just like an actual explosion.
Be Strong
Do you know how strong you actually are to be so vulnerable to show emotions. We are taught to hide it because people have mean comments when they see someone cry or however you choose to release the hurt. But, if more parents taught their kids what to do during a meltdown and how to handle negative emotions. America might not hear about school shootings because our kids would not suffer in silence they would learn to deal with whats going on in a positive manner.
I know what I’m asking isn’t going to be easy. There are so many ways to deal with situations, whether it’s a break up, death, abuse, or bulling just to name a few strong situations that have strong emotions tied to them that some of us have to deal with. we can break the cycle with our own kids and teach them to handle emotions and that it’s normal to deal with what they are feeling.
How to deal
There are many ways to deal with our problems that happen in life, that leads to strong emotional build up.. Talk to someone about it. Even if that person has no answers, just speaking out loud what’s going on with you can help. if you’re not the talking type, write it in a journal so you can look back and see how far you come. You can also scream in the woods. Also, going on a run is another way to deal with situations. I know I said it’s ok to not be ok. I meant that you go ahead and have that good cry.
A good cry will help more than you realize, then comes the road to help yourself heal so you can become more focused on a better future. If this sounds like something you’re going through, I want you to know pain doesn’t last forever. And you’re not alone. There is light at the end of the tunnel, which can lead to a beautiful place.
I’m a survivor of child abuse, and guess what? I spent years playing hide-and-seek with my pain. Spoiler alert: it turns out my emotional baggage gave me a few mental scars as souvenirs! They sneak into my future choices like an unwanted party crasher. I’m sharing this post because I’ve learned firsthand that ignoring past or present emotions can turn you into a real-life piñata—just waiting to be whacked! It’s totally okay to have a good ol’ emotional cry, like a toddler who just saw their ice cream fall. Just make sure you don’t set up camp in “poor me” land; you’ll find yourself buried under a pile of self-pity, which is less fun than it sounds. Trust me, it’s like trying to navigate a bumper car track on your way to healing—it only leads to more crashes! Your future self is out there, giving you a thumbs-up for taking time to fix those inner boo-boos. So, grant yourself a little emotional rehab—after all, you deserve to feel fantastic!
I hoped I helped someone who reads this post. I know this post is heavy in topic, but it needed to be said. This is not a topic I take lightly. I want to encourage you to face what’s hurting you. Whether it has been a week or 20 years. If you made it this far, I think you can agree that you need to make a change so you can move on from whatever hurt you’re dealing with.
Thank you for reading this. I couldn’t have a blog without an audience. Without you, I would be just talking to myself, and that doesn’t look mentally stable. (Punt intented) Until we meet again, have a blessed day, and God bless
If you’d like to help me stay slightly less stressed (and mildly caffeinated), consider buying me a $2 cup of coffee. It’s cheaper than therapy and keeps the blog running!”
Though the town in Essex where we lived had cars, people walked everywhere. And I’m not just talking about kids and young couples—I mean older people too. Even now, 25 years later, I can still picture the main street clearly in my mind’s eye. The elderly there seemed to live well into their 90s or even 100. After all, the Queen Mother lived to be 102. In America, reaching 80 is often considered a major milestone, but in England, longevity felt almost ordinary.
Behind In Times
America is all about the fast pace of life and constant innovation, while Essex moves at a more relaxed rhythm. So relaxed, in fact, that milk was still delivered to doorsteps in glass bottles, in 4- or 6-counts. I was fascinated to see something I had only ever seen in movies. As I delivered my newspapers, it really felt like stepping back in time. Another example of England’s quaint ways was the little shop in the town where I lived, which sold carbonated drinks in glass bottles. Personally, I think soft drinks taste better from glass than plastic—the drink just seems more refreshing, somehow.
Different Words
The UK uses some words that are different from what we use in America, even though they describe the same things. I’ve put together a list of a few of these words and their meanings below. It almost feels like stepping into ancient times—a whole new world of language and culture.
Chips- French Fries
Crisps- Potato Chips
Jumper- sweater
Lorry- Semi
Loo- Toilet
Trainers- sneakers
Mate- friend
Torch-flashlight
Flat-Apartment
Just to name a few, these are some words the British use to describe things we also have in America. It really feels like the kind of language you might have heard back in the 1800s. I’m not sure if they spoke exactly like that, but I like to imagine they did.
Food
My parents didn’t take me and my sisters to many pubs—those traditional establishments where people go to eat, drink, and socialize. Think of it as a family-friendly bar, a bit like a tavern. I remember the first time I went to a pub: I ordered a ham on a baguette, expecting something like the thin sandwich meat we had back home. Nope. What I got was a thick, grilled slab of ham. But I was a trooper and ate every bite.
The following week, we returned, and this time I bravely tried lamb with mashed potatoes and gravy. It was my very first taste of lamb—and also the last. Chewy doesn’t even begin to cover it; it took me ages to get it down. Of course, the real star of any pub meal was fish and chips—basically England’s version of pizza, the go-to comfort food we couldn’t resist.
If you’ve read my post My Time in Essex, UK, you’ll know I worked on a horse farm. Seeing someone riding a horse there was as common as seeing someone walking their dog here in America. The horses even wore reflective gear in wet weather—like tiny four-legged commuters braving the rain. Horses in England are clearly cherished and treated like royalty. I tried to find a picture to show the reflective gear, but alas, no luck—apparently even Google couldn’t capture these posh ponies in action!
Cars
The cars I saw over there were generally small—think Ford Escorts and the like. But there’s one car that will make you do a double-take just to make sure you’re seeing it right: a three-wheeled car. Yes, you heard me—three wheels! Even in England, they’re a rare sight nowadays, more of a collector’s item than a daily driver. Picture this: two wheels in the back and one lonely wheel in the middle up front. I managed to dig up a picture of one for you down below—prepare to blink twice.
That’s It
That’s pretty much what I took away from living in the UK. Back then, as a 14-year-old girl, I had no idea I was actually living in a different country—I just thought the milk tasted fancier. Now, 25 years later, I’m sharing some of those experiences with you. Another souvenir I brought back? A British accent that still sneaks out in certain words—usually when I’m trying to sound fancy or confuse my American friends.
Well, I hope you enjoyed this little trip down memory lane. And if you happen to catch me saying “lorry” instead of “truck” or “biscuit” instead of “cookie,” just know it’s perfectly normal… in my head. Until next time, stay curious, stay laughing, and have a blessed day!
If you want to help me be slightly less stressed and a lot more caffeinated, you can buy me a $2 coffee ☕.”
