PUBLICATIONS & RESOURCES

By Jennifer L. Rowe, LCSW Journey Life Balance • www.journeylifebalance.com Instagram: @journeylifebalance January brings so much pressure to reinvent ourselves — new year, new you, right? Except most of us are already exhausted before February arrives. That’s why I’ve never been on Team New Year’s Resolutions . Resolutions tend to be rigid, unrealistic, and often fueled by guilt or comparison. They focus on perfection rather than progress. Intentions , however, create a diff

Setting intentions is a powerful practice that can transform the way you approach your goals and daily life. Unlike vague wishes or random hopes, setting clear intentions helps you focus your energy and actions toward what truly matters. This process can lead to greater clarity, motivation, and fulfillment. In this article, we will explore the benefits of setting intentions, practical ways to implement them, and how they can positively impact your mindset and productivity. Un

Let me just say it: I’m not on Team New Year’s Resolutions. Why? Because for most of us, resolutions fizzle out by February. They’re often too vague, unrealistic, or set with timelines that don’t match real life. And honestly, they usually come with a side of pressure and perfectionism — not exactly the energy I want to carry into a new year. What I do  believe in? Intentions. Clarity. Hope. Last year, I came across the idea of writing a Hope Letter , and it’s something I now

"You must do the thing you think you cannot do." — Eleanor Roosevelt If you know me well, you’ve probably heard me joke that Eleanor Roosevelt (and previously, Shonda Rhimes) is responsible for many of the bold moves I’ve made in recent years. After listening to Shonda’s Year of Yes  and reading the book, I challenged myself to say “yes” to more things that scared me, stretched me, or simply felt new. In January 2021, I started journaling daily prompts to help me figure out w

There’s no instruction manual for raising kids in a world where artificial intelligence writes essays, group chats never sleep, and “likes” feel like currency. Most parents I talk to don’t feel “anti-technology.” They feel overwhelmed by it —and concerned about what it’s doing to their child’s mental health. Understanding the Impact of Technology on Children Anxiety is occurring at a younger age. Depression is louder. Comparison is constant. Kids are carrying adult-sized emot

Parents go through a transition, too: routines change quiet spaces disappear financial stress may rise emotional worry increases Your feelings matter just as much as theirs. Healthy Parent Adjustment Includes Emotional honesty Asking for help Lowering unrealistic expectations Naming grief and pride at the same time 👉 If welcoming your college student home feels heavier than you expected, you deserve support too. www.journeylifebalance.com instagram.com/journeylifebalance

This is a big one. You can love your family…and still feel suffocated, frustrated, overstimulated, or trapped. Both can exist. This Is What Emotional Maturity Looks Like Holding gratitude and discomfort at the same time Naming needs without guilt Learning who you are outside your family system Letting go of the “good student/good child” pressure 👉 If guilt, pressure, or anxiety come with coming home, I’m here to help you untangle that gently and safely. www.journeylifebalanc

Your child may be: older more opinionated more tired more anxious less patient That doesn’t mean they’ve changed for the worse. It means they’re in transition. Healthy Home Expectations Clear household guidelines Respectful autonomy Shared responsibilities Emotional safety Collaboration, not authority alone 👉 If you’re unsure how to adjust boundaries now that your student is home again, I’d love to help. www.journeylifebalance.com instagram.com/journeylifebalance

Living at home again doesn’t mean your independence disappears — but it does need to be redefined. Ways to Preserve Independence Keep your own routines Maintain friendships Set work/study boundaries Contribute to the household in agreed ways Balance connection with autonomy What Often Causes Conflict Unspoken expectations Different energy levels Different schedules Different definitions of “responsible.” Clarity reduces conflict. 👉 If you want help finding your footing while

College changes students. But home brings back automatic roles: the peacemaker the high achiever the responsible one the anxious one Stress makes everyone default to old patterns. What Helps Name the shift instead of ignoring it Reset communication expectations Allow your student to be different Allow yourself to be different too 👉 If your home feels emotionally reactive since your student returned, family support can help stabilize the shift. www.journeylifebalance.com...