We were lucky to catch up with Jasmine Jordan recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jasmine, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
Confidence now is something that I’ve always passed, even if I didn’t show it. Growing up, I was a quiet child with thick natural hair. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to speak, but I would generally allow others to share first. Everyone’s voice deserves to be heard. As I grew older, I noticed my confidence was on one side. I would be highly vocal about ideas that others had and how to implement them, but when it came to standing firm on myself, my voice was easily shaken. I lacked confidence in my own opinion and was easily swayed by others. For instance, my hair would frizz up like a Chia Pet on a hot day at recess. You could only imagine the jokes about why my hair responded that way to humidity, and everyone else’s perm kept their hair in place. Talk about confusion! I was used to it, but others weren’t and would stress that I needed to relax, literally and physically. My mother would remind me of the power of my hair and my confidence despite those taught about my naturally beautiful curls. This was something that I didn’t even realize bothered me until I pressed my hair until it was fried, and my silence turned into anxiety. Once my curls were ruined and I could physically feel the nervousness in my body, I began to back out of spaces that didn’t deserve my silent peace, graceful affirmations, or natural hair. I had to find my voice, learn to trust myself and know that if my family’s and friends’ thoughts and opinions matter so much, then mine does too. This increased my self-esteem and confidence, and the more I realized that I deserved to be heard and seen for who I am, the more I trusted myself and my hair.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Jasmine Jordan, and I am an Author & Wellness Enthusiast with a background in education from Stone Mountain, GA. I grew up in a household where my mother read to me daily, and my father cultivated my love for learning. As a teacher, I spent the last decade reading fiction children’s books and using my active imagination to compose stories for my students. Having two daughters, I know the importance of practicing positivity so that one can pour happiness into others. Growing up with natural hair, I was looked at differently. I want young girls to know being unique makes you beautiful, and for them to see, we have to remind them of how it feels to grow without being watered by others. Therefore, I formed a sisterhood encouraged by my children’s book.
Maneuvering through adulthood has been challenging for me. I faced some difficult times, and as independent as I am, I had to learn to rely on my tribe to help me get through those challenging moments.
During those trying times, my friends, whom I consider sisters, poured so much positivity into my life that I decided to create a space to honor them and where other women can come to be nourished in all aspects of life.
I felt the urge to create a space for women to flourish together with meditation, prayer, yoga, nutrition, journaling, building, and learning new things; I hope to take the most anxious moments in time and change them to be described as a single flower in our garden. It’s an opportunity for us to blossom. New experiences in life call for some self-reflection, guidance, and self-care. The reality is that life pivots, and we change, and that can be difficult to navigate. Yet, there is beauty in the process of blooming. You are here to grow, step by step, one moment at a time, and not rushed. But most importantly, with no judgment, it is a journey that should be celebrated. Bloom, SIS!
We will have our yearly Garden Party coming this summer! So get your floral and fairy wings ready so we can celebrate all things magical. We also have books and journals for the men in our lives. It is a way for men to heal, release, manifest, and express how to love themselves and us. Don’t worry; the website already has Affirmation Coloring Journals for women!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Mental health has to be one of the most significant areas of knowledge that impacted my life. Growing up, I wish I had known how we handle those anxious moments as kids turn into how we handle stressful tasks as adults. Learning healthy ways to cope with life changes, losing a job, death, ending relationships, etc. It is so important to release any suppressed anger or emotions or learn how to lean into joy and be happy, knowing that it will not dim anyone else light celebrating you.
In terms of qualities, I learned not to take anything personally after reading one of my favorite books, A Toltec Wisdom Book: The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz. I know that might be one of the most challenging agreements, but remember that everyone is on their own life path, constantly dealing with so many emotions, and most people don’t have the tools to properly release those emotions, so they are thrown on you as rage. Don’t let that affect you; it’s not you; it truly is them. Never allow someone to displace their feelings on you as long as you own your power. Don’t take it personally; it’s just one of those days!
An essential skill for me would be comprehension. Learning to listen, understand, and comprehend what is being said is vital. Even as a writer growing up, I loved sharing what I believed the writer was saying because it allowed me to determine what the thoughts were and to reach their energy, body language, and feelings simply through text. If we paid more attention to people, we would notice so much. We would learn to listen to what they are not saying, read between the lines, and comprehend the words they share.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
As someone constantly learning to improve myself, I try not to allow myself to feel overwhelmed, but it happens. I’ve learned so much about healthy ways to overcome, knowing when to reach my limit, and how to come down from that moment. There are some moments when you are busy, but we have to be sure not to neglect our self-care during those moments because that is when we need it the most. So, if you have a project with a deadline and realize that you’ve been working non-stop, plan moments in your day to breathe, take a deep breath, and have a mindful mind before that happens. Also, try to eat healthy during that time; it is easy to pick up junk food to snack on because you don’t have time to eat, but a healthy snack will be better for the body and the brain. While you’re working, play some of your favorite tunes, which always helps me get into a good groove and allows my mind to move freely. Take a moment to move, and not just walk around the room but dance, if needed, while one of your favorite songs comes on. Jump up and dance freely! Moving your body allows you to release any of that built-up energy. Also, take a break and color. It is something about channeling that inner child and getting creative. That was one of the main reasons I created my coloring book for adults filled with affirmations and journal prompts on self-love; coloring is a proven form of relaxation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bloomsisstore.com
- Instagram: @bloom_sis
- Facebook: Bloom Sis
- Linkedin: Jasmine Jordan
- Youtube: Bloom, Sis!
Image Credits
Strong Vision Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
