The Girl Behind the Blog

Last updated: March 21, 2024

Hi! I’m Jessica, and I have a story to share with you.

Once upon a time, there was a very ambitious girl who had an unstoppable drive to be successful. So for eight years, she worked full time during the day, and went to college full-time at night. The combination of working and studying full-time took a toll on her body, soul, and mind. However, being full of tenacity and determination, she persevered, and managed to earn not one, not two, but three Associate Degrees, a Bachelor’s Degree, and an MBA. She was thrilled to graduate and free up some time so she could focus on her career. She worked hard and was finally offered an HR Manager position for Corporate America; a job she had worked so hard to obtain. However, as the years passed, she found herself working 70-80 hours a week, leaving no time for family or the things she enjoyed. She was living a rat race life which had unfortunately became what she believed to be the normal way of life.

As you probably know, that girl was me, and I likely would have continued this way of living until I retired, but in 2019, my husband, Kris, and I embarked on a new adventure when he accepted a job offer in Alabama. It was a big move for us, as we had to leave behind our Tennessee lives and start anew. Not only did I have to quit my job, but I also had to bid farewell to the place where I was born and raised. It was like turning a fresh page in a brand new book, and I couldn’t wait to see what the future had in store for us!

As I prepared for the move, I immediately began to think about what kind of job I would get. Out of nowhere, a strange idea came to me – what if I took a few weeks off before starting a new job? I hadn’t had that much time off in fifteen years but it seemed almost wrong at this point not to work as I’d conditioned myself to believe this was the way I was supposed to live. A little part of me that I rarely listened to tried to justify taking a few weeks off – “There’s so much unpacking to do.”, that little voice said.

I discussed my thoughts with Kris, and he suggested I take even more time off; a whole six months! “It’s the perfect opportunity,” he said. “You could travel, start a blog, organize the house, all the things you’ve wanted to do all these years – the possibilities are endless!” Before I knew it, I was sold on the idea.

Kris has frequently and fondly referred to me as “a hot Messica” over the years, and you know what? He isn’t wrong! I was always trying to cram eight days’ worth of tasks into a single hour, and it took a toll on me. But now, I had the opportunity to take some time to care for my body, my mind, and my soul. No more putting my bank account’s health before my own – no more chasing corporate goals instead of passions; just me and my personal growth.

The time off was an eye-opener. I thought I was always running around like a crazy person because I was working full time and going to school full time simultaneously, but come to find out, that’s just who I am! I’ve discovered I am a total multitasking pro… like expert level. You can find me painting a door at 3 am, while the dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer are all running in the background. Meanwhile, I’m listening to an audiobook, with curlers in my hair, waiting for my toenail polish to dry, wearing a face mask, and slow-cooking tomorrow’s dinner in a crockpot – all while recording it for my social media! It may sound like a lot, but it’s my normal. I’m always on the go, trying to do as many things as I can at the same time for the ultimate productivity high.

Why do I do this? Honestly, I just love life so much that I’m attempting to cram as much as possible into this one life that I am blessed to live, which has what has inspired the title of my blog: Blessica this Messica. The way I live is kinda messy… I can only juggle so many things before something crashes to the floor and makes a mess, but when that happens, I just keep juggling, step over it, and think, “I bet I could add three more balls…”.

I pray that God blesses this mess that is me, and I thank Him for giving me a man who can handle the biggest Messica that’s ever lived.