The Essence of Jody Boston
Happy ~ Curious ~ Fluid
Scrappy ~ Pragmatic~ Playful
Jody is part of my extended family. She is married to Donna’s nephew, Aaron. I have found her to be a very observant and thoughtful person, passionate about her career mission.
She is a free spirit, lively and a joy to be around.
Meet Jody.
At some time, you reached a fork in the road. At that time, it didn’t feel like it, but looking back, you realize it was a big moment. One that changed your life. Describe yours.
After my first post-grad, I had a secure, full-time job. I worked 40 hours a week as a child and youth counsellor at a crisis centre, with a solid salary, benefits, and a pension. I was good at the work and loved being on the front lines, but the methodology it required was the wrong fit. I became physically and emotionally unwell and, eventually, traumatized. I took a weekend out of town and, by lunch on Sunday, decided to choose my well-being and walk away. On the trip home, I resigned from GoBus, giving my two weeks’ notice. I moved through the trauma with support, then launched my career as a full-time artist. It was terrifying to leave secure employment when full-time work was scarce, but I had to save myself. I had an inkling that if I forged my own path, I’d build something creative and meaningful.
What has been your biggest challenge, and how did you overcome it?
I’m facing my biggest challenge right now. I’ve learned that some tensions we tolerate are not ours to solve. My challenge co-exists with my learning, development, and growth. I access therapy, move my body, go outside, make sure I laugh, sing loudly throughout our house, and talk to friends. When I’m overwhelmed, I try to reshape how I relate to the stress it brings. I observe, stay grounded, and collect resilience along the way. I hope that I’m leading by example.
What is one gem you learned on your journey that you would love to share?
Sometimes I work with children who die. It is a deep honour to have witnessed, accompanied, and supported the end of a life. This aspect of my practice has gifted me the ability to differentiate between stress and problems.
Problems are curious. The transgressions that keep us up at night, spark conflict, or send us mentally screenwriting endless variations of catastrophe can often be interrupted by the question, “Is this actually a problem, though?”
