On the 5th March I had a wonderful conversation with Emma Jane. She runs a fabulous Instagram page @Jerseybean1307 which is where I first met her. Running her page from Jersey, whilst juggling studying alongside she manages to keep posting frequently and interacting with many people daily. Her posts are focused on positivity, mental wellbeing, kindness, and helping others. I invited her along to have a chat, to learn more about her story and the person behind @jerseybean1307. Here is how it went.
So, the reason for having this chat is to hear more about the people behind the accounts.
So, what is it that made you start yours?
I’ve always loved the Instagram platform and view it as a community where many of us can join together no matter where we come from or what our background is and I like to connect and share experiences with others and for me this the perfect place to do so.
It is a great platform isn’t it,
So what are the most valuable messages you try to get across?
That it is ok to not be ok, we all have good and bad days, flaws and scars and we need to feel free and be confident to share them rather than pretend and maintain an image that usually most of the time isn’t always real. To make people see they are not alone and there is support. Don’t be afraid to reach out, talk and ask for help and it will get better no matter what your situation is, keep faith and hope. Also don’t compare yourself to anyone you’re unique and special as you are. Mental and physical health are critical topics we should all feel able to share without judgement or fear.
To be able to talk openly about everything is something I hope for too.
Yes it takes time, but it will come at the right time took me years.
It’s a long process (I’m still getting there I think)
Step by step is all you can try to do.
Exactly, Baby steps at times but they are still steps.
“Don’t compare yourself to anyone you’re unique and special as you are.”
@Jerseybean1307
I know you said you are studying at the moment, what are you studying and how to you manage to keep your page up to date and keep up with your work?
I’m a night owl lol, so I work most hours as don’t sleep well, I’m working from home on shorter hours which allows me to manage my page as well as study, I currently study mental health, psychology and also a digital course all online. I also am just newly appointed a peer support worker for mind. My passion is to help people and share experiences to give others hope, it can get better.
Oh wow. That all sounds amazing. So, this is something that you are literally doing full time then?
It’s not my full-time job but I want it to be. I’ve always been empathetic and a giver and helper to others be it family friends or strangers. I’ve had a lot of issues myself and I’ve always thought I need to take it all and put all the bad stuff to use and help others.
That sounds so good, to do full time I mean.
Definitely. It’s what my purpose is I feel. Using your own experiences to help others is very kind and strong of you too.
It’s taken me a while to get here and share but I made it. It takes time.
That is amazing, Which kind of leads onto my next question,
What are your hopes for the future for your page? Where do you want to see it going in the future?
I just want it to continue giving strength love and support to others, if it touches just one person then am happy. I want to use it as a platform to speak of my struggles to show others it does get better and that bad times don’t last but tough people do.
For the future would love it to keep growing far and wide.
Love that, people need to hear more of that. It does get better.
People can gain a lot of hope from others I think,
Definitely. I love and believe that sharing is key as your story is another’s survival guide.
Growing far and wide, I think you’re doing quite amazing so you should be pretty proud with what you’ve achieved.
I would normally ask what keeps you motivated but I think you have answered that,
But what is it that motivates you on a difficult day? Like you said we all have them?
lol helping others and developing my mindset to learn new tips and skills to allow help to others and Myself. I also love to write and photography.
Motivation on bad days is faith knowing it will pass I’ve been through the worst it can only get better I also use and practise grounding techniques.
That’s lovely.
And very true,
Writing is my thing lol you’d never have guessed.
Is there anything that you would like to share in my blog about yourself, your account, or anything that you want me to add?
Sure, please feel free to share my link and I’ve a vast experience with many mental health experiences and physical illness, also with chronic pain, so anyone needing support or a boost or to talk can just check me out am happy to help anyone
That’s great, having additional, reliable people who are able to share their experiences are an amazing resource to have access too. This is one benefit of using a social platform like Instagram, the vast number of people who can access it easily.
I’ve a Facebook page as well, it’s called Daily Kindness which I can try to send a link for, anyone please feel free to join.
I will share the link for sure. Do you have any questions for me?
No questions but thank you for your inspiring page and what you do.
Thank you very much for taking the time to speak with me, I look forward to writing this up and sharing it on my blog.
“My passion is to help people and share experiences to give others hope, it can get better.”
@Jerseybean1307
Meeting Emma Jane has been brilliant. Her Facebook page Daily Kindness is available here, https://www.facebook.com/groups/621614252124789/?ref=share It is a brilliant page, and just like her Instagram page is frequently updated. All while studying. With the brilliant positive mindset that is shown, and the hopes that have she has for future I am sure this isn’t the last we have seen of @jerseybean1307. I wish you all the best for your studies and your future career, the hope and positivity that you spread across your social media pages is simply amazing. Thank you for meeting with me to share the person behind the page. It has been a pleasure getting to know you.
There are more conversations to come, getting to know the stories behind the pictures that are promoting a positive, hopeful environment across social media platforms. People are using their own personal experiences to help others, to encourage others, and support those around them. The community of people we have around us is a powerful thing, and together it is amazing what we can achieve. Even with us all taking baby steps.
Butterflies With Rainbows 