Jessie

This.. was the most challenging experience I’ve had in a long time. I was so nervous to finally express what my inner journey has looked like. The visceral, vulnerable, and philosophical journey I have been on. On top of that, condense my story and discoveries into a 10 minute bite size presentation to a room full of strangers .. it was quite a feat. To share such an exposing and vulnerable talk was scary, but I am so proud of myself for saying yes. A lot of times I feel passionate showcasing my creative friends, but I rarely allow myself to be in the spotlight and show who I really am. This is me, practicing what I preach and what I inspire others to do. To be fearless in their authenticity and vulnerability. There is soooo much I want to continue to talk about within this Inner Odyssey, for now, you can watch the full talk on my YouTube channel! Link in my bio. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey. Whether you have gotten me out of the house to get boba, or held space to have those vulnerable and deep conversations. No matter how small, or grand, your capacity means so much to me. <3

Let’s talk about Vulnerability ~ What does it mean to you? For me, vulnerability wasn’t something I grew up understanding, or even experiencing. It felt unsafe to express emotions like fear, sadness, shame, or anger, because we were told to please our elders and be a “good child”. Being too emotional felt like a door to rejection, weakness, punishment, or abandonment. It wasn’t anyone’s fault, we just didn’t have the tools to understand how important it is to express ourselves fully. Me and generations before me were often raised in survival mode, where love and connection tended to feel transactional, and emotional regulation wasn’t something that was taught. Over time, I’ve learned that being labeled ‘too sensitive’ or ‘too emotional,’ and embracing vulnerability, isn’t a weakness. Vulnerability can strengthen and deepen our connection to ourselves, our relationships, and shows us the way we uniquely relate to the world and the people around us. Your unique sensitivity is what makes your perception of life so special. It also helps us understand how we want others to show up for us and how we can create spaces of safety for them in return. My journey with vulnerability started with a year of self reflection through journaling. That deep dive into self-awareness gave me the courage to understand and honor my emotions, to not shy away from expressing them or from tough conversations, to let go of the expectations I had for myself and others, and show up fully; mask off, unapologetically. The journey to embrace vulnerability isn’t easy, it’s a life practice. It requires time, safety, trust, and compassion to truly thrive. But it’s this foundation that creates self love, authentic connection and meaningful, supportive relationships Whether it’s sharing a piece of yourself you usually keep hidden, asking for help when you need it, or expressing your feelings more openly, we invite you to take one small step towards vulnerability. ✨What’s one practice you can try today to embrace your vulnerability? Let’s support each other in becoming courageously open, one step at a time. Love, Jessie

As a creative, I often find myself trapped in the endless loop of either self-doubt, fear of success, fear of failure, fear of it not being ‘good enough.’ It’s a cycle of overanalyzing, comparing, and scrolling, while my ideas and potential sit untouched, waiting. We hesitate to chase our goals, afraid of falling short. We resist creating, fearing it won’t match our vision. We silence ourselves, bracing for the weight of others’ opinions. But honestly: 99% of the time, it’s our own mind holding us back. Breaking out of this resistance is messy and visceral. It takes inner work, self-acceptance, and a willingness to confront the shadows within us. But sometimes, the answer can be much simpler—grounding yourself, get back to the present. Step outside. Go for a drive. Call that friend who dreams just as boldly as you do. Surround yourself with people who not only see you as you are but remind you of the person you’re capable of becoming. The only way out of the loop is through it. And the breakthrough often starts with one small, imperfect action. 𝑪𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒘𝒂𝒚. Huge thank you to my amazing community that has lifted me, grounded me, and inspired me to keep moving ✨

When six planets are in Aries ❤️‍🔥 📷 @ajawithlove #momentvsphoto #ariesseason #behindthescenes #photography #creativeportraits

When all you needed was one light, a curtain, and your gf to come over and be down for a random creative photoshoot 😆💗 BTS of how we planned my Alter-Ego Photoshoot with @ajawithlove 🔥 Special thanks to @milanoteapp for a space to plan our spontaneous shoot 🤭✨ #filmmaker #behindthescenes #photography #fightclub

I’ve been toying with the idea of an alter-ego themed photoshoot for quite some time. This concept really took shape after drawing inspiration from the movie “Fight Club,” which resonated with my own journey of self-discovery. I wanted to explore two contrasting narratives. One being similar to The Narrator, who represents the ordinary, conformist side of society. This side follows the rules, holds a steady job, and chases material success but ultimately feels unfulfilled and disconnected. Growing up, I found myself always conforming to traditional success metrics, playing it small. On the flip side, there’s Tyler Durden. He’s the embodiment of rebellion, freedom, and unleashed primal instincts. Tyler is charismatic and fearless, challenging the shackles of societal expectations and materialism that irritate the Narrator. For me, Tyler symbolizes different personas I’ve discovered through my shadow work. Particularly, the inner divine feminine who rebels against conventional paths to success and disregards external validation. The struggle that The Narrator portrays, when connecting with Tyler, closely resembled the inner dissonance that had emerged from changing inner narratives through my healing. This photoshoot was more than just a creative project, it was a sacred ritual allowing me to honor all facets of myself. It was a moment to embrace my need to express through creativity, to acknowledge every part of my journey, and to integrate these discoveries authentically into my life. HUGE thank you to my girl @ajawithlove for spontaneously entering the state of play and igniting this creative energy. Swipe to see my inspiration! Stay tuned for BTS and tutorials! 

#fightclub #photoshoot #selfportrait #portraitphotography #shadowwork

If life has felt more like survival than living, this book is a return to something softer. ‘Made to Play’ is available now! link in bio. 🎥: @crystlestudios 🎶: @dlg.soundwaves

My favorite film stills from @_willamarj new release “Dreamz” 😍 I’m thinkin of offering film stills for BTS from here on out 🤭 this was so much fun 📷 Minolta XG-M 🎞️ Kodak Portra 400 & her Music video is out now! Along with our BTS video ✨ Link in her bio 🎥 #film #kodak

Behind the Scenes is now on YouTube 💫💘 a glimpse of the laughs, delusion, and energy on set for “Dreamz” 🥹 Shot and edited by @crystlestudios :>

Pitch & Pour is coming to San Diego! 🎤 Join us for an evening of short, powerful talks, meaningful conversation, and community connection in a welcoming space. Meet one of our speakers, @crystlestudios Jessie (she/her) is a multi-passionate creative who is dedicated to helping other creatives find and share their authentic voices through art, storytelling, and film. 📍 Location PIZZA KAIJU 1985 NATIONAL AVE STE 1115 SAN DIEGO, CA 92113 Event Schedule Doors open at 1:00 PM Flash talks begin at 2:00 PM 🎟️ Get your tickets! /opportunities/pitch-pour-pizza-kaiju-91d64cb24 (or link in bio) Pitch & Pour brings community together through storytelling that sparks reflection, connection, and collective growth. Proceeds support @mubarkproductions and @edu_to_empower , fueling creative, educational, and community-centered programming.

It truly is an honor to witness my friends and loved ones shine ✨🥹 Creative diaries from last weekend 📷 I had the opportunity to shoot behind the scenes for @futurespast.co 😍, celebrate the new location of @nite.san_diego & @ethosone tattoo shop, & celebrated @habanasa ‘s first wood working commission for @arcandkin619 👏🏼🔥

A lil reminder that even though this is a new year, it’s still the season of winter.. Remember to move with intention at your own pace rather than a state of urgency 💕 Be aware of your capacity, the real energy behind your drive, and creating a system that will be sustainable for you ✨ What’re your intentions so far?