Today we’d like to introduce you to Jilleian Sessions-Stackhouse.
Hi Jilleian, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
“A Journey to loving myself “
When my mother passed away from multiple sclerosis in 2019, something inside me broke open. Grief has a way of forcing you to look at everything differently, and as I watched her slip away, I realized I had been slipping away from myself too.
For years, I had existed solely as “wife” and “mother”—roles I cherished, but somewhere along the way, I had forgotten that I was also just me. I had poured everything into caring for others while my own well-being withered quietly in the background.
My mother’s death became an unexpected turning point. If her life taught me anything, it was how precious and fragile our health truly is. I decided I couldn’t keep neglecting mine.
I started small—just moving my body again. At first, working out felt awkward and uncomfortable. My body wasn’t what it used to be, and I had to silence the voice that said I was too busy, too tired, too far gone. But I kept showing up. The gym became my sanctuary, and exercise became my promise to myself that I mattered too.
With each workout, I felt myself getting stronger—not just physically, but emotionally. I was taking up space. I was investing in myself. And slowly, that investment began to pay dividends.
But I knew physical health was only part of the equation. The grief, the guilt, the years of putting myself last—these wounds needed attention too. So I took a step I’d resisted for too long: I started therapy.
Sitting across from a therapist week after week, I began to untangle the knots I’d been carrying. I learned that self-care wasn’t selfish. I discovered that I couldn’t pour from an empty cup. And I started to understand that loving myself wasn’t taking away from my love for my family—it was actually making me better for them.
Therapy gave me tools to manage my emotions, to set boundaries, and to speak kindly to myself. The mental and physical work began to reinforce each other, creating a positive cycle that lifted me higher each day.
This journey led me to something I never expected: self-love. Real, intentional, unapologetic self-love. I began writing daily affirmations, reminding myself of truths I’d forgotten:
“I am worthy of care and attention.”
“Taking care of myself allows me to better care for others.”
“I am more than my roles—I am a whole person.”
“My health matters. My happiness matters. I matter.”
These weren’t just words on paper. They became my foundation, my daily recalibration, my way back to myself.
I started sharing these affirmations on social media because I realized I wasn’t alone in losing myself. So many of us—especially those who dedicate themselves to caring for others—need permission to care for ourselves. We need reminders that self-love isn’t selfish; it’s essential.
Today, I still work out regularly. I still see my therapist. I still write my affirmations. Not because I’ve arrived at some perfect destination, but because this is how I honor my mother’s memory and my own life.
I’ve learned that you can’t take care of the people you love if you’re running on empty. You can’t be present for your family if you’re absent from yourself. And you can’t give love freely if you haven’t first given it to yourself.
My mother’s passing devastated me, but it also awakened me. It taught me that life is too short and too precious to spend it disappearing into your roles. We are wives, mothers, daughters, friends—but we are also ourselves, worthy of our own love and care.
And that’s a truth worth affirming every single day.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Let me be honest: nothing about this journey has been easy. Living intentionally requires courage, willpower, and unwavering determination. The hardest part? The guilt that creeps in when you choose yourself first.
There have been times when my kids asked me to do something, and I had to say no because it conflicted with my workout schedule. Staying committed to that boundary didn’t feel good in the moment. But I’ve learned something powerful: as uncomfortable as it is to disappoint others sometimes, disappointing myself feels far worse.
That guilt is real, and it doesn’t just vanish. But what I’ve discovered is that keeping promises to myself teaches my children something invaluable—that their needs matter too, that self-respect isn’t selfish, and that caring for yourself is what allows you to truly show up for the people you love.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I work in employee relations, I write and edit HR policies that create a structured foundation connecting organizational culture with clear standards. I’m most proud of making a difference in how we combine culture and standards. My passion for creating standards and building culture that can create great work environment.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Find someone who can be honest yet caring. Someone that make you take accountability but also encourages.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @jkstackhouse
- Other: https://linktr.ee/jilleiankole?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAb21jcAOzNehleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA81NjcwNjczNDMzNTI0MjcAAaffg0s8kQFxvZ5htebeVAK5CuL-oiJioSqlDeURRR_Zop-qYKAlqX_pN9VBVQ_aem_9x2d1iJqYDRVy89Q0hOPbQ
