Meet Jess Laughlin

We were lucky to catch up with Jess Laughlin recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jess, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

For most of my adolescent years I was quite introverted and shy. I would over think every scenario possible, worry about things before they happened, and assume people were talking about me the second I walked into any room. Fast forward to 5yrs ago, I was finally diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder at the age of 35. I never in a million years thought I’d launch my own business, but once I started meds and realized what it felt like to be “normal”, my confidence grew almost instantly. I also have to credit my tribe of close friends and family that provide unconditional love and support as I grow XO.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

XO is on a mission to normalize grief and all the messy feelings that come with it. I think a lot of us forget or don’t realize how common grief is during life – whether it’s a day to day struggle, or past trauma that triggers messy feelings throughout our lifetime. After losing my Dad in 2016, I realized that the general assumptions about grief are far from accurate and gives much of us a false perspective of what to expect and how to cope. Trying to support a friend or loved one that is struggling can be awkward, especially if grief is not a common occurrence. My hope is that my products offer the opportunity to start those difficult conversations, offer up some humor during a difficult time, or provide comfort to someone who may be feeling extra lonely and/or misunderstood. Overtime I’ve learned that the smallest gesture can really help someone get through a tough day. Grief is ever-changing and depending on your experience with it, could stick around for the rest of your life. Time goes on and people forget or get busy, and that’s when grief can really get the best of you. A small gift or card on any day can mean the world to someone who needs it.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Many of us struggle on the day to day when it comes to self-esteem and confidence, but taking time to figure out who you are and what drives you is half the battle. While in grade school, I found teachers placing me in leaderships roles that I didn’t feel confident in – mostly because I am/was a perfectionist and wanted to master all skills before leading others. They saw something in me that I didn’t, and I wish I would have trusted myself more in those moments. I’ve learned to tap into those moments now and trust that others may see things about myself before I do, and I should lean into them with confidence.

Challenging yourself even when the task feels uncomfy, is actually normal and encouraged. I think once we’re through schooling and off setting new goals in our adult life, that we forget to still challenge ourselves. It’s hard to place yourself in a new setting when there’s no higher authority telling you “you have to do this”, and that can limit us on how we grow and adapt to our life journey. I am my own cheerleader, so I have to jump into new environments to continue to grow my business. Is it scary sometimes, hell yes! But do I feel more confident with each new experience, absolutely!

You can’t be your best self without taking much needed self care time on the regular. At 40, I’m finally starting to feel amazingly comfy in my own skin and I’m learning to recognize and celebrate myself on the time and effort I spent to get here. It was not an easy journey, and it will continue to ebb and flow as I tip toe through some messes, and leap over others. I’ve learned to trust my gut and lean on the people that I feel the most alive around – Positive energy and healthy relationships are what I thrive on.

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?

This might sound rather backwards to some, but my Dad dying when I was 32 is probably the most impactful thing anyone could have done for me. Death sucks, A LOT. But once you’re in the “dead parent club” you just see and experience life so differently. I will never be the same because of such a traumatic life experience, but I’m thankful for that because I’ve grown in ways I never thought possible. My confidence in what I care most about shines in a new way. My heart sings when I can help others who are struggling. My love for sharing messy feelings seems natural and intuitive. My journey in life has shifted and I find it easier to let my guard down and find myself more confident in experiences that normally would trigger my anxiety.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.xoLaughlinCo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xo_laughlin_co/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xoLaughlinCo
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-laughlin-07624550/
• Other: Wholesale – Faire – https://faire.com/direct/xolaughlinco

Image Credits

xo Laughlin Co.