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February 18, 2025

Lessons from three years in a 9-5 (and why I'm back to freelancing)

February 18, 2025/ Jess van Roekel
Lessons from three years in a 9-5 (and why I'm back to freelancing)

After three years in a full-time role, I’m back to freelancing — here’s what I learned about embracing change, playing to your strengths, and trusting the process.

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February 18, 2025/ Jess van Roekel/ Comment
Copywriting, Freelance Life
October 18, 2024

Is ‘be the change’ the ultimate gaslighting?

October 18, 2024/ Jess van Roekel
Is ‘be the change’ the ultimate gaslighting?

I’ve been sitting on this draft for over three years—penned during the peak of my postpartum anxiety—and I finally feel brave enough to share it. Thoughts on ethical living and activism, from my kitchen floor.

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October 18, 2024/ Jess van Roekel/ Comment
Essays
September 27, 2024

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

September 27, 2024/ Jess van Roekel
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

An absolute GEM for your TBR list. I’d highly recommend it for anyone searching for a breezy, light book that’ll warm your heart and still give you plenty to think about.

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September 27, 2024/ Jess van Roekel/ Comment
Book Review
August 30, 2024

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

August 30, 2024/ Jess van Roekel
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

560 pages and I still want more. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver is a work of fiction, but the characters felt real, and will now live rent-free in my head forever.

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August 30, 2024/ Jess van Roekel/ Comment
Book Review
August 16, 2024

Go as a River by Shelley Read

August 16, 2024/ Jess van Roekel
Go as a River by Shelley Read

Every now and then, I read a book that leaves me speechless. A book that is so moving, so eloquent, so layered, that I do not feel called to review it — but to simply admire its existence.

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August 16, 2024/ Jess van Roekel/ Comment
Book Review
July 26, 2024

Everything is Beautiful and Everything Hurts by Josie Shapiro

July 26, 2024/ Jess van Roekel
Everything is Beautiful and Everything Hurts by Josie Shapiro

Everything is Beautiful and Everything Hurts by local New Zealand author Josie Shapiro is a love story about running. For the novel’s protagonist, Mickey Bloom, running is community, self-care, grit. It’s pain but it’s also what lies beyond pain: strength.

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July 26, 2024/ Jess van Roekel/ Comment
Book Review
July 19, 2024

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

July 19, 2024/ Jess van Roekel
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Ann Patchett's latest novel is bathed in quiet wisdom and unexpected nostalgia.

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July 19, 2024/ Jess van Roekel/ Comment
Book Review
September 15, 2023

Cooling my jets

September 15, 2023/ Jess van Roekel
Cooling my jets

One of the fine lines I walk for my mental health is the line between caring too little and caring too much. You, too?

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September 15, 2023/ Jess van Roekel/ Comment
Essay
December 14, 2021

I stopped swimming

December 14, 2021/ Jess van Roekel
I stopped swimming

Early parenthood is made up of hundreds of these tiny sacrifices, these surrenderings of small joys.

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December 14, 2021/ Jess van Roekel/ Comment
Essay
motherhood, seasons, parenthood
November 26, 2021

Book review: Wintering by Katherine May

November 26, 2021/ Jess van Roekel
Book review: Wintering by Katherine May

The book I wish I’d read sooner.

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November 26, 2021/ Jess van Roekel/ Comment
Book Review
March 06, 2021

Modern parenthood: Loneliness, perfectionism, and anxiety?

March 06, 2021/ Jess van Roekel
Modern parenthood: Loneliness, perfectionism, and anxiety?

Or a call to something more?

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March 06, 2021/ Jess van Roekel/ Comment
Essay
March 03, 2021

Scared of writing? Yeah, me too – here's how I overcome creative fear

March 03, 2021/ Jess van Roekel
Scared of writing? Yeah, me too – here's how I overcome creative fear

Writing will probably always feel scary, because – like all deeply creative work – it’s an intimate and soulful act.

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March 03, 2021/ Jess van Roekel/ 1 Comment
Essay
writing, creative writing, creative process, vulnerability hangover, creative fear
March 02, 2021

‘This One Wild and Precious Life’ by Sarah Wilson will make you angry – in a good way

March 02, 2021/ Jess van Roekel
‘This One Wild and Precious Life’ by Sarah Wilson will make you angry – in a good way

I share my take on Sarah Wilson’s brave and confronting memoir about climate change.

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March 02, 2021/ Jess van Roekel/ Comment
Book Review
December 23, 2020

4 books that will probably make you a better person

December 23, 2020/ Jess van Roekel
4 books that will probably make you a better person

Yes, I get excited about a lot of books. But I’m really, truly, deeply, intensely excited about these ones.

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December 23, 2020/ Jess van Roekel/ 2 Comments
Book Review
October 14, 2020

Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman

October 14, 2020/ Jess van Roekel
Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman

Bregman shows that humans are inherently kind, decent, and caring - it’s not idealism, it’s science.

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October 14, 2020/ Jess van Roekel/ 2 Comments
Book Review
July 25, 2019

Word Love: 13 thought-provoking podcasts

July 25, 2019/ Jess van Roekel
Word Love: 13 thought-provoking podcasts

Podcasts to stretch the mind and delight the soul.

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July 25, 2019/ Jess van Roekel/ Comment
Book Review
Podcasts, Motherhood, Business, Spirituality, Musings
July 18, 2019

Word Love: 18 books that delight and inspire

July 18, 2019/ Jess van Roekel
Word Love: 18 books that delight and inspire

A diverse collection of books for curious souls. Here are 18 of my most recent reads.

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July 18, 2019/ Jess van Roekel/ 1 Comment
Wise Words, Word Love, Books
Book Review
January 21, 2019

Listen: My word for 2019

January 21, 2019/ Jess van Roekel
Listen: My word for 2019

My word for 2019 is Listen. It gives me goosebumps to write that down because I know this word will be transformational for me.

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January 21, 2019/ Jess van Roekel/ Comment
Essay
Musings
November 02, 2018

Notes from a self-employed mum: Craving connection

November 02, 2018/ Jess van Roekel
Notes from a self-employed mum: Craving connection

Dear self-employed mums: consider this an open call for connection. I’d love to exchange notes.

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November 02, 2018/ Jess van Roekel/ 8 Comments
Essay
Musings
August 22, 2018

What is a changemaker?

August 22, 2018/ Jess van Roekel
What is a changemaker?

Whatever their job title, changemakers are driven by a desire to serve and make an impact.

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August 22, 2018/ Jess van Roekel/ Comment
Essays
changemakers, impactful business, values, mission, Musings
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