Life can be full of unexpected challenges, but for Janae Young, each hurdle has only fueled her drive to keep pushing forward. From moving to new cities with little more than hope and perseverance to sleeping in her truck on the first night of a fresh start, Janae’s journey is one of resilience and growth. She has faced moments of doubt and hardship but has always found a way to rise above. Through writing, reflection, and creative expression, Janae not only heals but thrives, continually striving for a life of abundance, creativity, and self-love.
- Can you describe a specific moment when you felt overwhelmed by your challenges?
When I moved to Texas a few months ago, I was completely “starting over” once again. I have lived many places in the U.S. and keeping up with myself and all of my things in different storage units and cities has become exhausting. I came here on the promise of a “corporate job” and I had nothing to start. I specifically remember completing the first day of work with all of my things in my vintage style truck, including my pet rabbit, and nowhere to go. I had an airbnb scheduled for the following day that I would stay in for two weeks. I borrowed money from a friend for that place with hopes that I would get paid and find something better for myself with the first check from my job. So I was driving around atx looking for a safe place to park and sleep for my first night in a new city. I settled on a McDonald’s parking lot where I cried in the rain with the windows down.
2. How have you managed to keep striving despite the difficulties you’ve faced?
It’s a mindset. There is really only two options in my opinion, life or death. You either keep striving for better or die content with being broken. I have this desire inside of me to keep striving and being curious for what else I can accomplish in life. While knowing that if I fail at everything there is always death. In a weird way it feels comforting to me to know that there will be an end eventually and the choice to keep discovering is still available so I keep striving.
3. What personal practices or routines have helped you in your healing process?
I write out my goals daily and review them nightly. Writing timelines and crossing them off as I go solidifies ideas for me. I spend a lot of time in solitude reflecting on situations and outcomes and how I could do things differently or better in the future and I also allow myself to rest and reap rewards when I accomplish something big. Creating art is also a form of processing for me. I love to see an idea that started in my head come to life in the physical tangible realm.
4.How do you cope with the emotional toll of discussing your past traumas?
I will be honest I am not the best at this one. I tend to neglect discussing past traumas and I need to go to therapy. I will distract myself with something positive or forward thinking that feels more beneficial for me. The old me would push the feelings away with drugs but I am getting better about processing my emotions, writing them out , and talking with friends about ways to be better.
5.Can you share more about the ways you give yourself the love you seek from others?
Self care. I will do something nice for myself , get a massage , lay in the sun, etc. I write out affirmations for myself . “ I am worthy of love and I am a perfect version of myself in each step of my growth.” Stuff like that. I look at myself in the mirror and describe things that I like about my features. I really aim to build myself up rather than tear myself down.
6.What role has perseverance played in your journey?
Perserverance has been a major part of my journey. There are many times where I have had no support system and no desire to achieve the daily tasks that life burdens us with, paying rent etc. I know my worth so it hurts me to go and work a minimum wage job for the necessities of life or take the bus when my car breaks down etc. But because I know my worth I have persevered because there is always more to accomplish always better days ahead. Maybe yesterday I was on the bus and next week I’m on a yacht in Italy . I have had a lot of experiences so I persevere because I know what life is capable of presenting to me.
7.Are there particular moments of triumph that have marked your progress?
Yes, recognition. When I receive recognition for something I have done or an idea I created it feels especially affirming that I am on the right path. For example a scholarship to a prestigious program or an opportunity to showcase my talents. It refuels my desire to keep going because it shows that it is getting me somewhere and making a difference. I recently completed a summer course via scholarship from the contemporary museum here in atx. I was able to create my first sculpture concept “girl/genius” . It was something i had been wanting to pursue for a couple years and so I am extremely grateful for the opportunity and have been invited back to complete more work with the art school at Laguna Gloria. I also received an opportunity to headline a music performance at The Delancey in NYC in September. I think back to being too shy to sing out loud in choir as a child and now I am selling tickets to my own show in NYC. It still feels a bit surreal.
8.What advice would you give to someone who feels stuck in their healing journey?
Be patient with yourself and don’t give up. We are each in our own timeline for growth and every accomplishment is a step. Some days the accomplishment could be getting out of bed or brushing your teeth and drinking a glass of water. Other days it could be writing a timeline for a novel. It’s important to take steps each day big or small and keep going or also knowing when to just take a break. When i feel really down sometimes I say to myself, let’s try again tomorrow. And I will go back to sleep until the next day to try again.
9.How has your past shaped your current goals and aspirations?
A few ways, I feel like the situations I’m in now are the results of what I have been working towards in all aspects. I had to do a lot of work to get to the place im in mentally to be able to prepare for the places I’m going. It took me a long time to “grow up” and I still dont have it all figured out like at all but i dont have anything to fall back on either. There is no support system no plan B no safe option, its literally figure it out or die broken. But rather than dwelling on what could go wrong I keep striving for the best in situations because I know that I am talented , based on the opportunities I have received in the past and that it does always work out for me when I approach life with a plan and stable confident mentality.
10. Can you talk about any practices or activities that have been particularly beneficial for your mental health?
One thing I do that helps me align with what I feel like is the greatest versions of myself is listening to frequency sounds on YouTube. It’s something I tapped into while living in Miami about 10 years ago and have been able to use it to guide my nervous system and mentality over the years. I take however I am feeling or whatever I am struggling with and type it in , like “ healing energy” or “ manifesting “ or “heart chakra” when i feel myself closing off. And just sit and listen to frequency sounds or play it while I shower, when I’m getting ready etc. I can’t even explain how but it really does help to play the music and think about what you want to fix in your life. It has proven successful for me so many times. It’s almost like magic how well it works.
11.How do you envision your future and what steps are you taking to get there?
In my future I am happy and successful and loved. I live on my own land and grow my own food and sunbathe in the nude. I am world renowned artist and I am able to create freely.
I am currently gaining monetary success to purchase the resources I need to be able to achieve these goals, I am aligning myself with others who have achieved these things so that I can experience the energy in real time and bring it into my life. And I am learning the skills necessary to make the decisions that will accelerate this reality. I am continuing to grow my art practice in hopes of gaining the monetary success to achieve the future I desire as quickly as possible with a balanced healthy mindset and most importantly I am learning to love and treat others as I want to be loved and treated. I am working to reflect onto others the ways that I want them to see and feel about me.
IG: @janae.online
