I am empathetic to the struggle I see so many other women going through. For years I was driven by duty and expectation. I didn't listen to myself. It was hard to feel like I was me. I was doing the things but felt totally unfulfilled and great sadness.

When my family moved to China for 7 years, I experienced balance. I had a lot of help at home; I ran a business in my own space with my custom jewelry. I was living an adventure! We moved back to the United States, and everything went away; my help, my creative outlet, my free time. My schedule was completely tied up with kids. I fell apart, struggling with my mental health. I felt absolutely miserable.

At that point, I began looking for tools. My life became a long journey of self-discovery and figuring out a different way to manage my mental health.

Through learning about and practicing Mindful Self-Compassion, I have gained tools that I wasn't naturally born with; I had to learn them. I enjoyed a better understanding of myself, for starters, including being more compassionate and understanding for my struggles. I began not shoving my own needs aside and started making time to do things that provided self-fulfillment. I replaced the feeling of selfishness when I took care of my own needs to enjoy a sense of satisfaction.

I want people to know there is another way. There are other options than falling in line with expectations and going through the motions. I want people to know that you can practice tools to relieve the suffering that you create in your mind.

-Jodi Bean, Learning To Be Owner and Guide