Journeys With Jani

Ever find yourself staring over the fence, eyeballing someone else’s pasture like it’s the Garden of Eden and you’re stuck in the leftovers of a drought? Yeah… we all do it.

Maybe it’s your job. Your town. Your friendships. Your body. Your daily routine.

Maybe something small didn’t sit right, and before you know it, you’re fantasizing about a whole new life that probably involves alpacas, a coastal breeze, and a mysterious lack of responsibility.

Look, one minor irritation can feel huge if we let it snowball.

Next thing you know, your brain’s hollering, “Burn it all down and start fresh!”

Except you still have bills to pay, a dog to feed, and a half-eaten rotisserie chicken in the fridge that says you’re not going anywhere.

The truth is, we all get the urge to jump the fence sometimes.

To shake things up, ditch what’s familiar, and chase something greener.

But here’s the thing:

The grass over there? It might just be better fertilized.

(And not in a good way. If you catch my drift.)

We’ve all rolled right off the emotional cliff from time to time—panicking, catastrophizing, convinced that one tough moment means everything is wrong. But it’s usually not.

It’s just… a moment. And I don’t know if “catastrophizing” is even a word?

Sometimes what we really need isn’t a new field—it’s a breath.

A second to pause.

To think it through.

To talk it out—maybe with a friend, a journal, or your dog (who’s probably more invested than your group text anyway).

Because when you slow down, get quiet, and take stock?

You might find the “broken” thing was just a little out of alignment…

And your pasture, while messy, is still home.

So before you throw in the towel and launch into a whole new life plan, ask yourself:

Am I just tired? Am I reacting instead of reflecting? Did I eat today? (Seriously… low blood sugar can ruin lives.)

We all have our “jump the fence” days.

But most of the time, what we really need is to pull a few weeds, water our roots, and be kind to ourselves.

That whole “start over” energy?

It’s valid.

But don’t forget—you can begin again right where you are, too.

And for the love of everything good—don’t cut your bangs.

XOXO, Jani