Follow Us x
About Jen
The one who created all this fun stuff
Hi! I'm Jen! I started this thing called Happiness Through Grace. I was born and raised in Albert Lea, Minnesota but currently reside in North Carolina with my hot husband and 4 incredible children.
In 1998, I was diagnosed with major depression and generalized anxiety disorder, one month after starting a new career teaching and coaching. A call to the suicide crisis hotline, followed by years of struggling to pinpoint a medication that would work for longer than 2 years put me on a lifelong mission to talk openly about my personal experiences dealing mental health to let others know they are not alone.
I resigned from teaching due to my depression/anxiety which instantly made me feel ashamed for not being able to control my thoughts, feelings, and actions. In the very beginning, I couldn't complete simple tasks like getting out of bed, taking showers, and eating. I experienced weight loss, overwhelming sadness, cried uncontrollably at random times, lost all motivation, and constantly feared loved ones dying. Every morning I would wake up feeling like a weight was on my chest and if I did make it out of bed, it felt like I was walking in mud. I felt so worthless, ashamed, and embarrassed because I had extremely irrational thoughts. My will to live was nonexistent at times because I felt I was a burden to my family. I felt the world would be better off not having to deal with me and wanted to snap my fingers and disappear. Thankfully, God had a bigger plan and kept waking me up every morning. He gave me the will I needed to keep fighting for my family.
Overtime, I realized living in Minnesota was making things more difficult for me mentally because of the long cold winters. In 2014, my husband and I took action and moved to Matthews, North Carolina in hopes a warmer climate would make a positive impact on my mental health. The scary part was, we moved without jobs and left all our family behind. I have a huge heart for my family, friends and miss my mom dearly, so moving away from them was one of the most difficult decisions I've ever made. The cool part was, every decision we made lined up perfectly and we knew it was God's plan for us.
Even though I still struggle throughout the year with depression and anxiety, North Carolina's people, climate, beaches and presence of blooming flowers all year long have definitely made a positive impact on me in so many ways. Matthews has blessed me with amazing friends and a support system from a number of small communities that have played a vital role in my mental health.
My goal is to give back to my community because it gave so much to me without even knowing it. Overtime, I want to give back on a national level to help those who need support too.
It is my hope you feel the love, and allow yourself grace to live a life of complete Happiness on your terms.
A Message From Jen
A very special THANK YOU to my family and friends for all your encouragement, love, and support.
New City Church where I was baptized, renewed and Made New through God's Grace. Every message received, every conversation I had and every song I sang moved my soul and helped me heal in ways I never knew were possible.
Burn Boot Camp Matthews who opened 7 months after moving to Matthews. Working out in a community with kickass people who motivate, encourage, and lift you up daily is not only physically rewarding but mentally too. This community became my family away from family and I couldn't be more thankful for them.
Planck Chiropractic and Rehab for providing a comforting and welcoming place to work, adjustments to keep the body in line, and patients who are seriously the best!
Mission and Mara baseball families you hold a special place in my heart for all the love and support you have given me and my family since we moved to Matthews.
For many fighting an illness, it can be nearly impossible to see the light or purpose in life while living through an episode. Often times, individuals struggle to comprehend their own feelings and emotions, and find it hard to put words to their irrational thoughts. To save themselves from embarrassment and shame they begin to isolate, act differently or disengage in things they once loved to do. They may even begin to feel physically ill or discomfort from their mental health. It's important to be aware of the signs and symptoms that could indicate someone is hurting.
As a culture we tend to praise and honor the mentally tough and "busy" mentality but criticize or dismiss those who struggle mentally and need downtime to recover.
It is my mission to embrace, love, and accept everyone for who they are and to let them know they are not alone. I believe everyone deserves Grace and the right to live a life of Happiness without being shamed or judged for a diagnosis or past mistakes. Our world could use more happiness and less judgement. Let's open up and start to talk about it.
I hope this company brings you joy and comfort knowing your purchase will help those in need and you feel a little sunshine and happiness when you receive your package.
Have a Happy Day,
Jen
To share your story or if you have questions please contact Jenhtg@gmail.com
