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Dear friends, This week, I caught myself slipping into an old pattern. A friend hadn’t responded, and the first thought that came up was familiar: they’re upset with me. For a long time, that’s how I interpreted silence. If someone went quiet, I assumed they didn’t want to be around me anymore. That belief sent me chasing reassurance — especially in romantic relationships — trying to close a gap that often wasn’t real. What stopped me this time was a quiet recognition: this feels familiar. Not true. Familiar. Here’s the reframe I’m practicing now: self-blame is a habit, not a truth. Most silence isn’t about us at all. People have full lives, distracted days, limited energy. Not every pause carries meaning. Jaycee reminds me of that without trying. When I’m quiet, she doesn’t fill the space with stories. She just sits close on the recliner, steady and present. So today, I’m inviting you to notice what you do when silence shows up. See if you can pause before chasing reassurance or assigning fault. Let the quiet stay neutral. And if you’ve been the quiet one lately, that’s okay too. For those who want a gentle place to practice this kind of pause, that’s what the Resilience Pack is for — one small page, a few grounding minutes, and a steady reminder to come back to yourself. Join Jane & Jaycee's Resilience Pack Reflections for Life After Hard Times. Jane The Jane & Jaycee Project — Sunday Letters |
Practical wisdom for women starting over.
Someone left a comment on one of my posts this week. I had shared how I used AI to help me find the perfect flowers for my container garden. The colors I wanted. The light conditions on my porch. The combinations that would actually work together. I was pleased with myself, honestly. The comment said: You could also look this up on some gardening sites instead of using AI. You would probably get more ideas. Be careful how much AI you use because not thinking things through with your brain has...
This week I did something that scared me. I sat down at my desk and put together a set of legal interrogatories for an upcoming contempt case. By myself. No attorney. Just me, my documents, and AI walking alongside me every step of the way. I stopped having legal representation a while back. The cost made that decision for me. And for a long time, I wasn't sure what that meant for my case. Whether I could really do this without someone in my corner who knew what they were doing. I've been...
Jaycee at Home Depot. Same as everywhere. Hi friend, Jaycee doesn't calculate. She sees someone new and she goes. Jaycee does this everywhere she goes. The neighborhood. Home Depot. Strangers she's never met. Last week our neighborhood got some new neighbors. Before I could even think about what to say or when to introduce myself, Jaycee had already made her move. She ran over, rolled onto her side, and made those little squealing sounds she makes when she's so happy she can't contain it. And...