Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brooke Janssen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Brooke, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
Growing up as an adoptee in an abusive household, I learned quickly that resiliency was a skill that I needed in order to survive. As I grew older and into adulthood, I faced the choice of either being able to take the happenings in my life and use them as either a crutch or a stepping stone. I chose the latter and realized that using what we’ve been through can strengthen us, empower us and give us incredible insight in life. I’ve learned that as much as life may try to knock us off our feet, a resilient attitude and demeanor can get us through those hard times. I often use the word bravery in lieu of the word resiliency, having the saying “she who is brave is free” tattooed on my arm as a reminder that no matter what life may toss my way, I can still face each day with bravery and continue to pursue my purpose and my dreams.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I have always been a hands on person. I can’t even count the amount of times I’ve said “oh, I can make that..” and then doing so. I struggled, however, to find a way to put my creativity into a way of a career; a mix of fear, imposter syndrome, the unknowns, you name it, stopped me from pursuing anything outside my comfort zone. I watched children for most of my adult life, and although I absolutely adore little ones, as time went on, I struggled to find motivation to continue on.
As my nanny contract was almost up, I was exploring options of what to do, but was met with extreme and anxiety and panic at the prospect of doing something new (mainly in the traditional job sense). For me, I needed flexibility and understanding of time for my mental health. I knew it was time to take a risk.
I had started making things for fun with wood about a year prior to being done with nannying, and it quickly blossomed into more than a hobby. I started to get requests for orders from friends and family and I thought, maybe I am on to something here!
I have the most supportive partner in the world and she encouraged me to dive head first into woodworking after I was done nannying. I am so grateful that I listened. I feel like a new person, I love working for myself, I love creating and seeing people show interest in what I make. I finally feel like I am doing something that brings fulfillment and true joy.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Bravery. Be brave. I know it’s a saying we see everywhere but this has truly changed my life. I think too many of us equate bravery to something large scale but I believe that most of us are brave everyday. I like to say “you don’t have to climb mount Everest to be brave.” Whatever gives you that little inkling of this is hard, or this is a challenge: that is bravery. It looks different for every person, we are all on our own journeys. But, I believe that if we listen to ourselves and continue to challenge and take those steps into bravery on a daily basis, it can be life changing. I took that step into bravery of pursuing working for my self and being a creative as a means of a career. It has changed my life completely, but if I wasn’t brave and hadn’t taken that first step, I would not be doing what I want.
Authenticity. We live in a world where we see so many different aspects of “reality.” Social media, friend groups, family dynamics, there are so many avenues in which we can be a certain person. It can be confusing and exhausting to be varying versions of yourself to different people. Be authentic. Be who you are. You don’t have to fit into a mold, you have a voice and a story that is unique and deserves to be heard. The more you practice the easier it gets and people (and you) will appreciate it.
Boundaries. I am a firm believer in setting boundaries. The more you set the better. This has helped me so much in life and really has helped me as I pursue my own business. For example, there’s been a few people who have said things such as “Is it worth it? Do you think you’ll actually be able to do this?” Insert boundary. Maybe next time I see these people I don’t talk business, or maybe I learn that their words have no impact on my success and set up that boundary between their words and my emotions. Boundaries are so important!
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
Not my parents, but my grandmother. She believed in me. I don’t know how to put into words what it means when someone truly and wholeheartedly believes in you. No matter what was happening in life, I could talk to her and just hearing her voice made it feel like I could get through it. Our hearts were connected on a level that I’ve not experienced with anyone else in my life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @homesweetmpls
Image Credits
Portraits by Cori Miller Photography
