Young professional, writer, aunt, sister, daughter, survivor. I try to truly listen to people, not just “hear” them. My genuine compassion is one of my greatest strengths. My mother was my primary parent. My birth father was abusive & they separated when I was 10. I spent the following 3 years as a counselor of sorts to my birth father, I felt like the parent in those years. It was not healthy or safe. I eventually cut off contact with him. I didn’t want anyone else to ever treat me the way he did. My mom remarried and my step dad played a big part in raising me from 13 on. I admire & respect him. He legally adopted me as his daughter in 2016 and I took his last name, that was one of my best days. I’ve battled anxiety & depression my whole life and struggle with trust and a need to control things to feel safe. I fear I’ll pass on my childhood trauma & cycles of abuse to my future children. I’ve had tough times; like the day I was ready & willing to commit suicide at 13 and when I found out one of my ex-boyfriends died. But I’ve had a lot of great moments too; like traveling to a foreign country for the first time & graduating from college. I’d tell a 12 year old me to stay calm and know she’s doing the best she can. I’ve held onto the old story that I’m always in danger and waiting for the other shoe to drop. I lived half of my life feeling this way for legitimate reasons, so it’s been a slow unwinding to know I can feel safe and not always be in fight or flight mode. My new story is that I am the creator of my future and legacy. I’m excited about my career. I can’t wait to see where I end up and the work I’ll get to produce. To me, beauty is authenticity. The ingredients to happiness are delicious food, music, having loved ones by your side and seeing the fruits of your labor. In 10 years I hope to be debt free, healthy, happy and in a relationship with a man who respects me. I am proud of my perseverance. I come out stronger and do not let my pain define me or my potential. I love to take care of myself, listen to and inspire others, and learn from my mistakes. I value honesty, respect and passion. I am Jen. I am strong. I am worthy. I am capable.