Empowering Women: The Inspiring Journey of LAMAV’s Series
At LAMAV, we are dedicated to empowering and celebrating women from all walks of life. Our latest blog series highlights remarkable women who are actively contributing to their communities and driving positive change. We invite you to grab a cup of your favorite beverage and take a moment for yourself as you delve into their stories, filled with valuable experiences and insightful advice for leading a happy, healthy, and successful life. We believe you will find their journeys and insights as enlightening and inspiring as we do.
Meet Jenna Abbasi: A Multifaceted Advocate and Creator
In our latest interview, we had the pleasure of speaking with Jenna Abbasi, a passionate mental health advocate, content creator, artist, and new mother based in Brisbane. Jenna opened up about her journey of balancing the demands of motherhood with her flourishing jewellery business, Melleosun. She shared her courageous decision to openly discuss her personal struggles, hoping to assist others on their healing journeys.
Congratulations on becoming a mother earlier this year! How are you managing motherhood alongside your jewellery business, Melleosun?
Becoming a mother in March 2023 was a transformative experience for me. Despite my preparations for this significant life change, I faced challenges adapting to the limitations that came with it. I cherished the freedom of spontaneous walks, engaging in creative projects, and studying at my leisure. The inability to immerse myself in these activities was stressful, as creativity is vital to my well-being.
My hobbies provide therapeutic relief, so after much reflection, I embraced a new activity that allowed me to multitask – content editing on my phone. This adaptation enabled me to create insightful posts for my followers on Instagram, focusing on healing and sharing my experiences as a new mum while simultaneously launching Melleosun. This new venture has brought purpose to my life, helping me maintain my sanity during those challenging days spent indoors with my baby.
Finding balance has been my priority, as I tend to act on my ideas impulsively. With a baby in tow, I’ve had to adapt my approach, prioritizing my responsibilities as a mother while carving out time in the mornings and evenings when my husband is home. These moments are precious for engaging in my new hobbies, including crafting jewellery for Melleosun and creating social media content.
Your passion for art is evident. Can you share how you began creating and what it means to you?
From a young age, I have always been drawn to creativity, whether through painting or experimenting with my mum’s oil paint kits. However, during my struggles with mental health, I lost touch with my passions and found it difficult to engage in activities that once brought me joy. Overwhelmed by disordered habits linked to my eating disorder, I rediscovered the therapeutic nature of art while in the hospital, where creating provided a sense of safety and joy amid chaos.
As I embarked on my healing journey, I rekindled my love for art by enrolling in art school. This experience allowed me to explore painting and ceramics, ultimately leading me to start my own Clay and Sip business. What began with just two customers quickly grew to over 250 weekly clients, achieving significant milestones that year. Staying true to my values and focusing on authenticity allowed me to thrive and appreciate the abundance of my endeavors.
Once I became pregnant last year, I paused this venture to work from home as a youth mental health worker online, as my passion for advocating for mental health continued to drive my purpose.
As a mother and entrepreneur, how do you prioritize self-care amidst your busy schedule?
At times, self-care takes a backseat, and I’ve had to grapple with the reality of prioritizing my baby’s needs over my own. This shift has been challenging, but I’ve learned to adopt a new approach to self-care: “think, observe, accept, change, and forgive.” This mindset helps me navigate the complexities of motherhood while maintaining a sense of compassion for myself.
I find solace in listening to positive affirmations each morning, which creates a compassionate space for myself. These affirmations help alleviate guilt when I take time for self-care, reminding me that caring for myself is essential. Additionally, I prioritize caring for my mother, as nurturing my own well-being can be a challenge on days when my focus is largely on my baby.
A few years ago, you courageously shared your battle with an eating disorder. What inspired you to open up about such a personal experience?
One of my primary motivations during recovery was to share my journey with others to provide support and inspiration. I had already begun documenting my authentic experiences online through my YouTube channel, where I openly communicated my healing process and addressed challenges related to food behaviors.
Many viewers found solace in my story, feeling encouraged to embark on their own recovery journeys. By sharing my experience, I found motivation to continue healing, knowing I could be a guiding light for others struggling with similar challenges.
This commitment led me to become a mental health advocate, allowing me to collaborate with various mental health organizations and share my story through podcasts, schools, and media outlets. I realized the value of my narrative and aimed to inspire others, believing that even small sparks of hope can illuminate the darkest moments.
What positive impact do you aim to achieve by sharing your personal journey?
I aspire to diminish stigma surrounding mental health and create a safe, inclusive space where individuals can express their authentic selves without fear of judgment. I envision a world where acceptance and authenticity prevail over societal pressures regarding beauty and worth.
By sharing my vulnerabilities online, I encourage others to do the same, fostering a sense of humanity that is often overlooked in our fast-paced world. I strongly believe that amidst the chaos and rigid standards, we can find liberation from societal constraints and reclaim our lives.
Has motherhood altered your perspective on body image?
Motherhood has not drastically changed my view of my body; instead, it has deepened my appreciation for what it can achieve. Throughout my pregnancy, I faced challenges with external comments and changes in appetite, but I maintained my positive affirmations. This practice allowed me to embrace the changes and accept that whatever unfolds is part of my journey.
What healing steps have you taken, and what advice can you offer to those struggling with body image issues?
I began my healing journey by turning inward and surrounding myself with inspiring individuals online. This approach served as a form of self-help and development. I sought guidance from professionals and fellow mental health advocates, applying their wisdom to my recovery process. Curating a positive and supportive online environment was crucial for my healing.
For anyone grappling with body image concerns, I recommend connecting with like-minded communities online that promote body neutrality and body diversity. You don’t need to love your body; acceptance and neutrality are essential. Engaging in spaces that encourage self-expression can significantly shift the focus away from appearance, allowing your worth, personality, and unique contributions to take center stage.
If you could revisit your past self from five years ago, what wisdom would you impart?
I would encourage my past self to hold on because change is on the horizon. Life will not remain stagnant, and I would reassure myself that everything will eventually fall into place as long as I stay true to my values and continue persevering through challenges.
What guidance would you offer to young women aspiring to launch their own businesses?
I would urge them to take the leap and go for it! Personally, I’ve often kept my business ideas under wraps until they materialized. This approach helps me avoid external resistance and unhelpful opinions, allowing me to focus solely on my vision. Believing in yourself is paramount; life is too short to let fear hold you back. Embrace the learning process, as failure is merely a stepping stone on the path to success. Resilience and a positive attitude are key to overcoming obstacles.
As a busy mother, how would you spend time if you had more of it?
I would immerse myself in my creative hobbies, such as pottery and painting. Recently, I’ve delved into User-Generated Content (UGC), so I would eagerly dedicate more time to editing. Additionally, I’d love to invest time in photography, filming, and marketing for my business while exploring collaborations and researching a skincare line I dream of creating in the future.
How do you maintain positivity during challenging days while promoting self-care and positive thinking on social media?
I focus on grounding myself in the present moment rather than dwelling on past regrets or future anxieties. I remind myself that storms will pass and sunshine will return. Practicing kindness towards myself is essential, especially during tough days when anxiety may surface, leading to unwanted self-blame and negative self-talk. My go-to method for maintaining a positive mindset is listening to uplifting affirmations on the TV.