Jenny Messerle 💜 Self-Compassion Magic 💜
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jennymesserle.bsky.social
Jenny Messerle 💜 Self-Compassion Magic 💜
@jennymesserle.bsky.social
Free printable art & chapters from my in-process book: Your Wishes Matter: A People Pleasers’ Guide to Own Your Power ➡️https://jennymesserle.com/sneak-peek
Often my book chapters are stitched together from scraps, notes, & late-night thoughts. I used to judge this as messy. Now I call it Frankensteining. My work is made of many parts. But unlike the Creature's creator, I don’t abandon it, I stay & nurture it.
October 30, 2025 at 11:11 AM
I used to apologize first to stay safe, as if guilt proved I cared. But safety isn’t in the shield of “sorry.” It’s in trusting my awareness. I don’t need to prove myself to belong.
October 28, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Self-confidence isn’t proven by success. It’s proven by staying loyal to what gives you meaning when no one claps for it. Every imperfect sentence & every unliked post are still proof. Belief in yourself is the quietest, truest form of progress.
October 18, 2025 at 1:00 PM
I used to judge my art for what it wasn’t. Now I tell myself, “You followed your curiosity. You explored something new.” Kindness doesn’t make the work softer; it makes it truer.
October 16, 2025 at 11:09 AM
@ozolinsjanis.bsky.social ‘s “Explaining Ideas Visually” course is so empowering! I’ve always wanted to create visuals for my book. This dream is coming true because of Janis’ feedback & encouragement! THANK YOU!

This drawing captures the key insight of my book’s chapter 3
September 21, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Most of my apologies aren’t about mistakes. They come from the fear I am taking up too much space.

If you’re a chronic apologizer too: You don’t need to shrink. You’re allowed to exist fully. Start by asking what fear sits beneath each apology. Awareness opens the door to trust.
September 18, 2025 at 11:20 AM
My art getaway was canceled, & I felt sad. But creating at home led me to a style that feels truly mine. Life rarely goes as planned, yet shifting my attitude helps me see the gift in the detour. Sometimes what feels like loss opens the door to trust in myself.
September 17, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Thank you, @ozolinsjanis.bsky.social, for your feedback about my visual & your insightful Explaining Ideas Visually course. Creating visuals for my book is a dream come true. THANK YOU!

I created this visual to depict the heart of my book’s chapter 2.
September 14, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Turning 50, I didn’t want a party. I just asked friends to mail me handwritten notes. It felt awkward at first, but I realized the milestone is about learning to ask for what makes me happy. Whatever the response, asking itself is an act of self-trust.
September 13, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Each “sorry” you speak is a message about how you see yourself. When you pause to listen, you stop treating your words as shame and start treating them as clues, clues that can guide you toward a kinder way of being with yourself.
September 7, 2025 at 11:48 AM
I sometimes fear I’m too much-too detailed, too affectionate, too positive. But I remind myself: I am not too much.

Even loved ones’ advice about my art reflects their tastes, not my worth. My goal isn’t to please everyone. My goal is to keep creating and enjoy the process.
August 29, 2025 at 11:09 AM
“She’s not talented. She’s overrated,” my preteen nephews said about Taylor Swift.

But Mel Robbins’ “timing pillar” explains why. We connect with people at similar life stages.

If someone isn’t wrestling with shame or perfectionism, they may not resonate with my writing.
August 27, 2025 at 11:00 AM
I say sorry for tiny things. The habit was not politeness. It was fear. I am learning to swap the reflex for self-trust. Catch one sorry today and remind yourself: You did nothing wrong. From my book in progress: jennymesserle.com/sneak-peek
August 24, 2025 at 3:12 PM
I forgot to return an overdue book & felt inconsiderate, unorganized, & guilty for letting down the next reader.

Then I asked, “Do I want to live a life of beating myself up for imperfection? Or do I want to cultivate the habit of forgiving myself often?”
August 22, 2025 at 11:02 AM
I did something scary recently. I finally drove our brand-new stick shift car

Whenever I stopped at a light on a hill, I worried that when the light turned green, my car would slide into the car behind me

But instead of focusing on fear, I remind myself. "You got this"
August 5, 2025 at 12:12 PM
When classes are on sale, I feel a visceral pull to buy them.
But this outward pull is because I have an inward emptiness that craves to be filled.

By noticing the source of my shiny object syndrome, I realized, "Jenny, it's time fill that void by ACTUALLY MAKING ART"
August 4, 2025 at 12:09 PM
I've been feeling really sad, because I was looking forward to a weekend with friends But their flights got cancelled

My default reaction is escape my sadness with sweets & buying things

But it's better to sit with my feelings & remember it's okay to feel sad
August 3, 2025 at 4:06 PM
When someone compliments you, do you brush off the nice words & say "It was nothing"?

What if their words are TRUTHS?

What if this person sees something GREAT ABOUT YOU that you DO NOT see in yourself?

Next time, could you say "Thank you" & believe the flattering remark?
November 30, 2024 at 10:46 PM
"I want you to present at our work conference" my supervisor asked me
Reluctantly I said yes

But after my conference talks last year & this year, people said "That was 1 of the best presentations of the conference!"

I'm thankful that my supervisor SAW MY POTENTIAL before I did
November 30, 2024 at 10:45 PM
I can look at an object & draw something that looks NOTHING it. I don't know how to shade or draw perspective. I never learned color theory.

I used to view these "lack of skills" as a weakness. Then, I realize that I can MAKE UP MY OWN RULES for what I think looks pleasing
November 30, 2024 at 10:45 PM
I'm addicted to consuming other people's information.

I'll stop buying books, oracle cards, & online classes. I have a backlog that I've never touched.

I will practice slow learning where I open 1 book page, read 1 paragraph & let its words help unearth my own ideas
November 30, 2024 at 10:44 PM
My work cube neighbor often vented, "My train was late" & described what happened

I didn't complain to my work friends or create a negative ripple

When I felt annoyed, I visualized a waterfall of compassion spilling over my cube wall into her cube
November 30, 2024 at 10:44 PM
It’s okay if you don’t get it perfect on the first try

When things don’t work out initially or after the second try or the third try, this doesn’t mean you’re incompetent

It just means that those tries weren’t aligned with your goals or your gut feel
November 30, 2024 at 10:43 PM
“I’m sorry. Can we… instead?” I used to say this when I wanted to do something different than what I originally told someone

Saying “I’m sorry” tells myself there’s something WRONG with making a new choice after time passes

I now say “I’ve changed my mind, let’s… instead”
November 30, 2024 at 10:43 PM
I only saw the northern lights through my phone camera. When I looked at the sky with my naked eyes, the sky looked black with sprinkled stars

The base of this art piece is a photo from when I was in Banff, Alberta, Canada in October. I drew my character & message on the photo
November 30, 2024 at 10:42 PM