An Inspired Chat with Jesse Chasten of Neighborhood (Home)

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jesse Chasten. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Jesse, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 mins. of my day I like to spend time either in meditation or doing some type of exercise/movement, you know after being sleep and still for hours the body wants to move. Getting some fresh air and catching the rising sun in the morning is the add treat.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jesse, and I am an artist/musician by the name of “SSUNNO” (the extra ‘S’ is because I grew up on Dragonball Z). I have a label that goes by the name of ReEstablishing Better Days or R.E.B.D. for short and it too serves as a brand for the clothing I make in its’ name. Lastly, I am a certified master level Reiki practitioner. Each task that I do serves me energetically on different levels, but the common denominator is that I love and appreciate being of service and uplifting others. Community is important to me.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
The moment that really shaped how I saw the world was right after high school; I was a freshman in college and in a new state. I away from what was familiar to me, and I really didn’t know myself at that time. I had some many questions, but I kept them in thinking “nobody cares” or could answer them. Through working on my relationship with myself is how I was things get better. The moment I stopped looking outside of myself. I started meditating around that time. My inner world started to make sense. It wasn’t a one and done type of thing but building the habit and real relationship with self is the baseline for other things to fall in place whether: relationships, confidence, views of the world etc. It all starts with the energy that we hold.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, right around that same time my confidence was little to nonexistence. I was in search of something while I was searching, I found music. It was my muse, my therapy. I found a way to express myself and not keep these energies of frustration, confusion, depression and sadness stay in my home, my body.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
In these times that’s a GREAT question for sure so I laugh as I answer. Yes, the public version of me is the real me. I’m really big on authenticity. I used to be a people pleaser. It’s draining. My body naturally fights back and I’m too multifaceted to stick myself or my emotions into a box. That’s something I definitely look forward to when more people adapt these things and let go of expectations of others and allow people to be, without the disingenuous performance. We’re always changing and evolving.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days. 
I love the work I do, deeply. Sometimes too much to where I’m a work-a-holic. Especially when it comes to music. I look forward to rising every day and getting back into the zone. It’s not always easy juggling different task, going into business for yourself requires you to where multiple hats and being okay with it. I meet myself some many times in those down periods, sometimes stepping away to readjust my perspective but it’s worth it. I’m grateful.

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Image Credits
Nilas Nebula

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