By: Collective Resiliency
Jessie, How did your personal experiences shape your commitment to well-being?
When I’m not committed to my own well-being, I slip into a version of myself I don’t want to be: irritable, snappy, impulsive, insecure, judgmental, pessimistic. Someone who is a ticking time bomb, a landmine of triggers. When I am committed to my own well-being, I blossom into the version of myself I know I can be: open, warm, present, creative, thoughtful, confident, imaginative, hopeful. Someone who has fun just being alive and infectiously spreads joy and positivity to others. She’s unstoppable. I wanna be her. I’ve learned that every relationship I have in my life is a mirror of the one I have with myself–and the more I commit to my own well-being, the better I can love others.
Could you share key moments or experiences that have influenced your perspective on the importance of self-care and overall well-being?
I always thought that the mind & body were a one-way relationship: that the mind tells the body what to do. When I started exercising regularly, I realized that your body also fuels your mind and you can’t take care of one while neglecting the other. Now my wellness goals encompass both mind & body, and I more often lean on my body as a tool for jump-starting my mind.
What does wellness mean to you personally, and how do you incorporate it into your daily life? Are there specific principles or practices that guide your wellness philosophy?
To me, wellness means having a strong sense of your own presence. Because I have ADHD and OCD, I’m constantly battling several internal voices and external influences–many of them are wildly unhelpful. Sometimes I don’t even know what I’m thinking, it just feels like a rush of emotions and I react just as clumsily. It takes a lot of work to quiet the noise in order to have a clear internal dialogue with myself. I journal as a way to force my thoughts to slow and focus them only to what my hand can physically write on a page. And I actually exercise without any music or sound, so I can hear myself clearly. This isn’t for everyone, but it works for me.
Given your emphasis on wellness, how do you believe community plays a role in supporting individuals on their wellness journeys? Why is the shared experience important?
I live by the quote: “Be a river – not a reservoir.” Being part of communities turns your journey from a river to a reservoir. You can learn from others, be exposed to different stories and perspectives, share experiences and witness each others’ growth, gain energy and experience, and be inspired and inspire others. No matter how independent or self-sustaining you think you are, all things grow stale when kept still. Communities keep you flowing and amplifies everybody’s experiences. And the more you start to love yourself, the more comfortable you’re going to be feeling seen by others. And vice versa!
Could you tell us about your collaboration with Collective Resiliency as a wellness brand? How does this partnership amplify the importance of community in fostering mental and emotional well-being?
My collaboration with Collective Resiliency has been so lovely and serendipitous. As much as I believe in the power of personal wellness, I got so busy and overwhelmed in life that I got lazy and lost accountability with my self-care. Meeting the CR team and using the products (my favorites are the Resilient Reflections journal & Enlightened essential oil) reminded me that – when you feel busy and overwhelmed, your wellness doesn’t get pushed down to the end of your priority list, it gets pushed to the TOP.
How can we learn more about you?
You can follow my journey on instagram @jessayeee
Brand: Collective Resiliency @collectiveresiliency
Model: Jessie Ma
Photographer: Lana Palmer
Makeup Artist: Valerie Brown
Creative Director: Arina Rozova
