25 Comments
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Shawn Kelley's avatar

I needed this so badly! Thank you for writing such a beautiful piece.

dorothy dugan's avatar

Jess, this was exactly what I needed to read this morning. I hope you feel rested and rejuvenated after your travels!

Emma J's avatar

Love this - "yes, and..." is such a simple yet effective philosophy (and, dare I say it, a more refined version of "YOLO"?)

debo's avatar

Jess, I love the solo sojourn re-start ⭕️❌

And.. thank you for the reminder of the “show me how good it gets” mantra.

I’m ALL ABOARD on this 🔮🪬🎆

I’ll never, ever, ever forget a life interlude which began w me musing aloud, “what’s the worst that can happen ?”

Oh my goodness.

You have SUCH imagination & curiosity, wisdom & grit.

Thank you for being a beacon in the midst of the whole fuckeroo 🪇🪇🪇

show me

Jess Graves's avatar

Just out here trying to survive the fuckeroo

debo's avatar

The fuckeroo’s in the rear view mirror now

debo's avatar

Admitted we were powerless over the whole fuckeroo; surrendered; pulled up our waders & liberally applied jungle level bug repellent.

g O N E 🎣

Sogole Kane's avatar

Glad you’re feeling better! I also had Covid last month and it was bruuuuutal. Safe travels xx

Jess Graves's avatar

It truly kicked my ass!

The Frockstar's avatar

Hope you are feeling better. As someone who has struggled with long covid since the beginning of the pandemic, your words were exactly what I needed today. ☺️

Sarah Shapiro's avatar

Oh I enjoyed this. Thanks for this refresher. Letting out a deep exhale in 3, 2, 1….

Mia Billetdeaux's avatar

Kentucky is definitely the South, but it’s also definitely both?!

Annie Wilson's avatar

Love this so much.

Jennie Rogers's avatar

Loved reading this, thanks.

Lindsey Cade's avatar

Yes to all of this. Sometimes, a change of scenery and an unclear agenda for your travels is the best reset button of all.

jaycina's avatar

as a girl from lexington - kentucky is the south and i have to die on that hill! 😂

Jess Graves's avatar

I agree with this!

Corrie Everson's avatar

I came to the comments to say as a girl from Chicago— we will never claim Kentucky as Midwest. Had no idea until today that I had such strong biases about Kentucky.

Betsy Ames's avatar

Wait the Kentucky derby passed? I had to look at my calendar. Love this post,your trips and your self care.

Jess Graves's avatar

Maybe it didn’t, but that shows you how out of it I am

Elizabeth Marsh's avatar

The Derby is the first weekend in May, so you haven’t missed it yet! 😊

LESLIE T's avatar

Ooof so sorry to hear about long Covid! I hope you are ok now. F ing Covid has really thrown a wrench into our lives!