While being kind and compassionate towards others is important, people often fail to extend that same grace to themselves. Jessica Faith Graham of Edina wants to change that, and it all began when she realized she wasn’t taking care of her own needs.
“During the pandemic, I was home with my three young kids,” she says. “After about a year, I was pretty much going on autopilot, focusing on my kids and their schedules, and I had forgotten about the joy and passion in my own life.”
Jessica decided to make some changes. “In the same way that I would look at my kids and think, ‘What is it that they need right now?,’ I started doing that line of questioning with myself.”
She created a morning self-care routine that included meditation, journaling, and walking. “I was much more fulfilled throughout my day, and felt so much better. This allowed me to be able to give more to all those around me.” She wanted to share this self-care philosophy with others, especially children.
“I asked my oldest, who was about 7-years-old at the time, how she was kind, compassionate, and loving to herself? And while she could tell me how she could be this way with others, she wasn't talking about doing these things for herself. So, I set out on a mission to teach this to my kids, and decided to write it in a book for them.”
Jessica leveraged her experience as a mom and combined it with her degrees in counseling, psychotherapy, education, and fine arts, as well as her certification as a mindfulness mentor. She also relied on her experiences in AmeriCorps and with school districts. Her book, “The Love Inside,”a self-love book for kids, was published in February.
Instead of just helping her children, this book is now available to help kids everywhere. It can be found in local bookstores such as Cream & Amber in Hopkins and the Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul. It can also be purchased from Amazon and on her website.
“I recently did a library reading in my hometown, and it was well attended by both adults and children,” she says. “A retired teacher, who has four grandchildren, said one of the most interesting things that happened when she read it to two of her grandsons was that it opened up a conversation about how they feel about themselves and how they can honor themselves. She told me the book helped her have a conversation with them and how important that was.”
Jessica loves doing in-person events and plans to do many more, especially this fall. “I’ll be doing storytime Q&A sessions for schools, which are completely free. I'm also willing to work with anyone and am always open to new ideas to teach these mental health concepts. It’s important to me to help our community.”
While the book focuses on children, she also wants it to have an impact on adults. “While they’re reading it to their children, I want them to think about how we can create a healthier, more peaceful, loving earth just by taking care of ourselves,” she says. “And I want the children to understand and connect with themselves a bit more deeply, to recognize their needs, who they are, and develop a strong acceptance of love for themselves simply by being who they are.”
Today, Jessica’s children, 11-year-old Kate, 9-year-old Juliana, and 6-year-old Henry, are excited to tell others about mom’s book. “I asked the illustrator of the book if she could put likenesses of my children somewhere in it, and she did,” she says. “They feel a very special tie to it because they know where they are in the book, and they're so proud to show people.”
She also utilizes her online presence to share parenting tips, discuss real-life truths, and offer encouragement to others. Local speaking engagements for parents, caregivers, and youth leaders, centered on the concept of self-love, are listed on her website. She is also currently accepting new therapy clients for children and adults.
To learn more about Jessica and “The Love Inside” visit JessicaFaithGraham.com. “There is something inside of you so special and unique, and it can change the world!”