Author Archives: Jaclynn Loibl

As M. Scott Peck says: “The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truerContinue reading “Lego My Ego”

Fear and defensiveness bubble up, leaving me like a treed raccoon, with countless bloodhounds clawing at the bark below. Revisiting mindsets that led me into an unhealthy and chaotic state often trigger those same feelings; my thoughts race, my heart beats faster, and a sense of being under threat rises. Yet, despite being triggered, IContinue reading “Fearlessly Facing the Past”

Like Star Wars says, procrastination is strong with this one. Whenever inspiration knocked at my door today, I regretfully turned it away. By 10 p.m., all I had were those two sentences before I found myself deep in an Etsy shopping spree. At least I had the presence of mind to reactivate my savings codeContinue reading “Puttin’ on the Fritz”

While nude, I use the hair dryer. It’s a long slog, and my thoughts race by like NASCAR drivers. Most are too quick to catch, but I managed to grab a few worth mentioning. The window to my left faces the street—a country road set back by about 75 feet. Two thoughts duke it outContinue reading “Meet the Flockers”

The frosted white, snow-kissed Christmas tree simply had to come home with us. Its fullness and light, fluffy icicle look—though not the traditional green—embodied a chill this side of the U.S. rarely, if ever, sees. But as we unboxed it, I realized the error of my ways. Watching it release a whirlwind of styrofoam “snow”Continue reading “Spirited Away”

I don’t miss the material stuff. Any of it. As I take in the simplicity of the space around me—the blue, puffy-topped ottoman and the long, narrow dark oak table with two chairs neatly tucked against its bare surface—my mind drifts to the version of me from a few months ago. The cross-country move broughtContinue reading “Purging, Planning and Paving”

After watching a video on Beducated—a website offering a wide range of educational content about relationships and intimacy—Dave and I started discussing our shared visions and goals for our family. We brainstormed ideas, like incorporating more physical activity into our routine, such as walking or biking to places like the library or hardware store insteadContinue reading “Motorcycle Messenger”

I’ve been feeling a bit down, but then I remembered my “gratitude task,” and suddenly things felt better. First, I’m grateful for the fluffy biscuit towers I made for lunch, topped with the equally fantastic sausage gravy from Morrison’s Country Style Pepper Gravy Mix. It may seem small, but there’s something about a good mealContinue reading “Humanizing Better”

To be better humans, we first need to show up for ourselves. The first episode of the How to Be a Better Human podcast focuses on emotional health—specifically loneliness and vulnerability—and it hits close to home. I know firsthand how shame and self-blame have kept me stuck in unhealthy emotional states. One insight from theContinue reading “Being a Better Human – Day 2”

I’ve been stuck—lost in the depths of hopelessness. Friend’s Facebook posts, news articles, and even my own thoughts have felt like booby traps, keeping me despairing and weighed down. My only escape hatch has been imagining a fantastical move to Portugal, Finland, or some other dramatic dismantling of who I am, who others are, orContinue reading “The “Be a Better Human” Challenge”