As I squeegeed the glass shower wall—my least favorite chore—I found my mind wandering to writing. I thought about the world I’ve created on the page and felt that familiar push and pull: how much does it reflect reality, and how much of it is my own imagining?
“You have a vivid imagination,” I’ve been told. But as I reflect on this observation, I can’t help but feel a mild sense of panic—like the moment you pat your back pocket in a store and realize your credit card isn’t there. The line between reality and imagination feels blurry, squiggling like the path drawn by the purple crayon in that children’s book.
What does it matter if the line is perfect anyway?
Later, I found myself not just observing but admiring the small details around the house. Like the string of thin twinkle lights, I placed around the 7′ corner mirror in the office—the same mirror I’ve stood before and sat on my yoga mat in front of these past couple of days. Starting January 1st, I’m diving into Yoga with Adriene, a month-long challenge my friend Joey recommended.
When inspiration strikes, I don’t mess around. It’s not just a me trait—it’s something we humans share. I’ve chosen to lean into it, using cutesy accountability reminders I can’t say no to. For months, the yoga mat sat splayed out in front of the mirror, patiently waiting. Now, its outstretched hand has met mine, and together we’re grasping, swinging merrily through the park.
Speaking of inspiration, I’ve been toying with starting a YouTube channel. The thought equally excites and overwhelms me. If I dive in, I know I’ll go all in—making everything perfect and treating it like a second job. And right now, I just don’t have that kind of time or energy. But what if I approached it differently? What if I treated it as a hobby, with no expectations about when or how I release content? Even if I just play around with editing and never publish, maybe that could be enough. Just taking the next step might be worth it.
There’s a part of me that thinks it could be fun—maybe even rewarding—to provide relational counseling advice to reality dating shows. It’s an intriguing idea, and I guess I won’t know if it’s a good fit unless I try. Who knows where it might lead?
Well, I’m going to pop a Spanish audiobook in my earbuds, keep training my ear to the language’s cadence and intonations, and see how much I can understand.
Thanks for dropping in. Love, Jaclynn
Going On 40 