Life Lately: Mental Health, Career Growth, and Personal Reset

Finding My Way Back: Mental Health, Blogging, and Life Lately

Welcome — A Little About Me

Hi there! I’m Johnnielynn, and welcome to my lifestyle blog. This space is where I share my real, everyday life — my journey with mental health, life with an anxious dog, and my love for beauty and skincare products. When I’m not writing, I’m an infant/toddler teacher and a middle school cheerleading coach, which means my days are full of movement, noise, and a whole lot of heart.

This blog is my creative outlet, a place where I can be honest, reflective, and hopefully relatable.

Coming Back to Blogging (Again)

Last year, I shared that I was getting back into blogging — and then anxiety had other plans. While I didn’t publish a single post, I did start many. Some were finished but never uploaded, others were left half-written. Writing has always helped me process anxiety, and I truly miss that release.

So here I am, choosing to try again. My goal is to write two to three blog posts a week, though realistically, once a weekis a win. Maybe one day I’ll even work up to writing daily. I’d also love to reconnect with the blogging community, so if you’re a blogger too, please leave your blog links in the comments — I can’t wait to read and support you.

Career Growth: Working Toward My CDA

One of my biggest accomplishments this year has been working toward earning my Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. In March 2024, I accepted a position at a childcare center after spending 16 years as a nanny. It was a big change, but one that felt absolutely right.

I love my job — truly. About a year ago, I moved from the infant room into the toddler room, where my director encouraged me to complete the steps needed to become a lead teacher. In January, I completed 120 hours of CARE courses, built my professional portfolio, and now all that’s left is scheduling my observation and CDA exam. It’s an exciting and very attainable goal, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come.

A Very Honest Goal: Drinking More Water

Let’s talk about hydration — or my lack of it. 😅
I drink plenty of coffee, Red Bull, and Coke Zero, but when it comes to water, I struggle. I’ll fill a cup and somehow ignore it all day. Working in childcare doesn’t help — bathroom breaks aren’t always easy, I’m constantly on the move, and the toddlers are not thrilled when I step away.

Still, I know hydration matters. I can see dehydration in my nails and hair, and I’m determined to build better habits — maybe by pairing water with another daily routine. If you have tips for drinking more water, please leave them in the comments. I could definitely use them.

Skincare at 37: Consistency Over Perfection

I’ll be 38 in April, and while people are often surprised by my age, I think I look exactly how I should. I’m not overly focused on wrinkles or fine lines — my biggest skincare concerns are breakouts and discoloration.

I’ve been using several products from BYOMA and have a routine that works well when I stick to it. Consistency is the challenge. I plan to share my full skincare routine and product reviews as I work toward being more intentional with self-care.

Learning to Cook (Without the Panic)

Another goal I’m working toward is learning how to cook — like, actually cook. I have a complicated relationship with food and tend to default to fast food when I’m overwhelmed. True story: I once got intimidated making a baked potato and went to bed without eating.

I can manage very basic meals, but I want to build confidence in the kitchen and develop a skill I know is important for my wellbeing. Baby steps count, right?

Falling Back in Love With Reading

There was a time when I read constantly — day and night, anything I could get my hands on. It started with Peter Pan, and from there, I was hooked. School made reading feel stressful, but after graduating, something clicked. I read everything. I reread books when I didn’t have access to new ones. I even chose books just because the covers were pretty.

I miss that level of focus and joy, and I want to replace some of my scrolling time with getting lost in books again.

A Gentle Reset

This season of my life is about starting again, showing up imperfectly, and giving myself grace. Whether it’s blogging, mental health, hydration, skincare, cooking, or reading — I’m not aiming for perfection, just progress.

This blog is my space to grow, reflect, and reconnect — with myself and with you. I’m so glad you’re here, and I can’t wait to see where this next chapter takes us.

Those are some of the goals that I have for this up coming year. share yours in the comments and make sure to follow along with me. 😁

🩷XOJohnnielynn