Just Press Pause

Ep. 17: 5 Ways to Reclaim Your Identity After Becoming a Parent

The Perch — Wed, 08 May 2024 17:28:23 GMT

One conversation I've been having a lot lately is around parenting and identity. A parent recently asked me, "Is it just me? Or do all parents feel like they lose part of themselves in parenthood?" The truth is that it's SUPER common for this to happen to parents, especially those parents who are the main caregivers or who hold more of the childcare responsibilities. So let's talk about 5 ways we can reclaim our identity and reconnect with ourselves when we feel like our whole identity is "parent." My older daughter recently turned 10, so it's a perfect time to reflect on what I've learned and what's helped me. I'm Amy Jackson. Let's settle in, and get started.

If you're local to The Perch, you might enjoy some time away at a yoga class or retreat. We offer both regularly, and I'd love to see you there! Learn more on my website.

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

Ep. 16: Self Care When the World Is On Fire - Part 3

The Perch — Sun, 25 Feb 2024 23:00:00 GMT

When the world feels on fire, joy feels like a luxury. And because it feels like a luxury, it often feels like joy isn’t allowed, right? How can we feel joy when we know so many people are suffering? How can we feel joy when there is so much to DO to make the world better? Today I want to invite you to see practicing joy as a tool of resistance. Let’s talk about why joy is not only appropriate when the world is crumbling around us, but also necessary. I’m Amy Jackson. Let’s settle in, and get started.

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

Ep. 15: Self Care When the World Is On Fire - Part 2

The Perch — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 14:00:00 GMT

When we look around us and see the world on fire, many of us feel spurred to action. We want to do something to make the situation better. We see the people affected and we want to help. And to be clear, this is a really good, healthy response. What we don’t often think about, though, is how activism requires increased self care. Without self care, we are prone to experience burnout, compassion fatigue, and depression as we begin to feel hopeless in our pursuit of justice. In this episode, let’s talk about the importance of self care to help refuel us for activism.

Did you know that we owe our modern understanding of self care to The Black Panther Party? Let’s walk through a short history lesson of the origins of self care so that we can better understand how self care is essential when we’re called to justice work and activism. I’m Amy Jackson. Let’s settle in and get started.

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

Ep. 14: Self Care When the World Is On Fire - Part 1

The Perch — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 02:10:05 GMT

When we look around us, the world absolutely feels on fire. Images of war, mass shootings, crimes against humanity. It weighs so heavy on us. Then add on top of that anything you might be dealing with in your personal life, and you’ve got a recipe for feeling overwhelmed and hopeless. So let’s talk about how we can care for ourselves when the world feels on fire. I’m Amy Jackson. Let’s settle in and get started.

Check back for Part 2 and Part 3 of this series!

To get access to my 5-Minute Soul Care Workshop, sign up for my newsletter here: bit.ly/JoinThePerch

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

Meditation 9: Healing Connection with Your Body

The Perch — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 20:38:44 GMT

Most of us have had a critical word or two for our bodies. Perhaps it doesn’t look the way we want it to, or we get frustrated that it’s not capable of doing more. Today I invite you into a gentle, healing meditation that encourages you to think of your body a little differently. Find a comfortable position that feels supportive to your body, perhaps lying down with a pillow and blanket. I’m Amy Jackson. Let’s settle in and get started.

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

Ep. 13: Too Exhausted for Self Care

The Perch — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 20:23:47 GMT

Exhaustion is that feeling when you're completely empty of energy, whether physical, mental, emotional, or all three. It's when we are craving rest and relaxation, and when they feel the hardest to come by. Let's talk about some practical tips for when you feel too exhausted for self care. I'm Amy Jackson. Let's settle in, and get started.

During the episode, I refer to Yoga Nidra or Non-Sleep Deep Rest. If you're looking to try it out yourself, you can seach "yoga nidra" in the Insight Timer app, or you can head to this website: https://www.nsdr.co/

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

May Meditation 4: Tune Into Yourself

The Perch — Mon, 22 May 2023 11:00:00 GMT

May is Meditation Month here at The Perch, and we’re working on a Meditation Challenge, inviting you to meditate every day for at least 3 minutes, and once per week for a longer amount of time. Throughout, we’re tracking our progress. You can join in by registering for FREE here.

For many of us, Memorial Day and the end of the school year mark the beginning of summer. So I wonder as we head into this new season: How are you doing? What do you need? What do you hope for this summer? This meditation is great for anytime we’re transitioning to a new season, or anytime we want to check in with ourselves and our needs. Find a comfortable position for this meditation—seated or lying down. You might even do this meditation outside, or while looking out a window. I’m Amy Jackson. Let’s settle in, and get started.

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

May Meditation 3: Self Acceptance

The Perch — Mon, 15 May 2023 11:00:00 GMT

We all have days when we’re a bit hard on ourselves. Many of us have been taught that’s the only way to improve in life. But what might happen if you accepted yourself as you are? What freedom might open up for you? Find a comfortable seated position for this meditation. I’m Amy Jackson. Let’s settle in, and get started.

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

May Meditation 2: For All the Strong Ones

The Perch — Mon, 08 May 2023 11:00:00 GMT

This meditation goes out to all the strong ones. The people who feel like they have to hold it together, to stay tough, to be the rock, especially for others. In today’s meditation, I invite you to step out of that role—to let yourself simply be. I’m Amy Jackson. Let’s settle in, and get started.

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

May Meditation 1: Settle In

The Perch — Mon, 01 May 2023 11:00:00 GMT

May is Meditation Month here at The Perch, and we’re kicking off a May Meditation Challenge, inviting you to meditate every day for at least 3 minutes, and once per week for a longer amount of time. Throughout, we’re tracking our progress. You can join in by registering for FREE here.

This simple and uplifting meditation can serve as a longer meditation for beginners, or a shorter meditation for people who meditate more frequently. Feel free to come back whenever you need a little boost. With that, find a comfortable seated position for our time together. I’m Amy Jackson. Let’s settle in, and get started.

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

Ep. 12: Get in Touch with Your Needs

The Perch — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 17:03:09 GMT

I want to say something that in certain circles, sounds like a confession: I have needs. Ha! If you’re human, like I am, you have needs, too. It’s just part of how we are created. And yet, that’s not usually how we look at our needs, limitations, and emotions. I think a big reason for this is our culture values disconnecting from our bodies. Let’s dive into this important aspect of being human and see what we can learn about living a healthier, more whole life. I’m Amy Jackson. Let’s settle in, and get started.

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

Meditation 8: New Year Reflection

The Perch — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 15:14:51 GMT

Our brains desperately want to simplify things, so we really want to think of things as all good or all bad, especially when we’re thinking about the past year. But the reality is that our lives are full of good AND bad—all together, all at the same time. Part of the human experience is learning to hold these two together in tension. As we head into a new year, let’s spend time reflecting on the past year and what we’re hoping for in the new year. I’m Amy Jackson. Let’s settle in and get started.

For more help reflecting on the past year and preparing for the new one, join me for the New Year Reset Retreat on January 7 at The Perch in Aurora, IL.

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

Ep. 11: Your Body Is Good

The Perch — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 18:18:27 GMT

I've got a radical idea for you: Your body is good right now as it is. Toxic diet culture wants us to believe we need to look like the ones on magazine covers, burn the calories of every meal, and go to extreme measures to be "healthy." It even tells us thinness = health, which is a complete lie. But your body is good right now. It doesn't need to get more muscle or lose inches or drink detox smoothies or get rid of wrinkles or go for a run to be good. Let's talk about the problem with toxic diet culture and toxic fitness culture as we head into the new year. I'm Amy Jackson. Let's settle in, and get started.

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

Ep. 10: 5 Holiday Soul Care Ideas

The Perch — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 16:58:08 GMT

The holidays are here, and if your stress levels aren’t rising, are you even human? Let’s face it: even though the holidays can be wonderful, they can also be a lot. So let’s talk about 5 ways to care for yourself this holiday season. I’m Amy Jackson. Let’s settle in, and get started.

Watch the 15-minute yoga video I mention here.

Buy my new book 31 Days of Self Kindness here.

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

Meditation 7: Loving Kindness

The Perch — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 20:14:13 GMT

In this episode I’ll guide you through a meditation called a Loving Kindness meditation. There are endless variations of this kind of meditation, and this is my spin on it. It's especially helpful when you're feeling disconnected or when humanity feels too polarized. I’m Amy Jackson. Let’s settle in, and get started.

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

Ep. 9: 5 Minute Ideas to Rest and Refresh this Fall

The Perch — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 17:03:48 GMT

You know I’m all about making self care doable and realistic for your life, so today I’m offering 5 minute ideas to rest and refresh this fall. I’m Amy Jackson. Let’s settle in and get started.

If you're local to Aurora, IL, please join me for the Mindfulness Walk on October 1! You'll get the mental refresh you need for a new month and new season as you walk a half-mile loop doing 5 fun and mindful activities. Register now!

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

Ep. 8: 4 Ways to Practice Mindfulness Today

The Perch — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 17:55:32 GMT

If you’re anything like me, you’ve heard the term “mindfulness” come up a lot lately. And yet, many of us don’t have a clear idea of what exactly mindfulness is—or how or why we might want to incorporate it into our lives. In today’s episode I’ll share how I stumbled into mindfulness and 4 practical ways you can try it out today. I’m Amy Jackson. Let’s settle in and get started.

I hope you’ll join me for my Mindfulness Walk on October 1 celebrating 5 years of The Perch! The walk is a self-led half-mile stroll through downtown Aurora where you’ll stop along the way to do 5 activities that will help you be mindful and present to your life. It’s a great way to clear your head, feel refreshed and ready for the day, and to find some peace when you feel overwhelmed. The walk is family friendly, and it’s only $19 to join us. Register today on my site!

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

Ep. 7: 11 Ways to Rest Over Labor Day Weekend

The Perch — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 12:00:00 GMT

Have you ever felt that antsy, anxious feeling of “I should be doing something else” when you’re trying to rest? Oof. Me too. This is such a common occurrence because we’re fighting against a tightly held cultural belief: rest = laziness. On today’s podcast, we’re going to break down this lie, and I’m going to share 11 ideas for ways you can rest. I’m Amy Jackson. Let’s settle in, and get started.

To register for my Soothing Art Series workshops or the Real Life Meditation workshop, visit my site now.

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

Meditation 6: Creative Peace

The Perch — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 12:00:00 GMT

Did you know that doodling has been shown to lower stress, bring calm, help you think creatively, encourage mindfulness, and help you process emotions? Creating simply to create, enjoying the journey, letting the tools guide your play—well, it’s actually kind of fun! And it’s a great meditation option for people who might struggle to focus or don’t feel comfortable closing their eyes. Let’s get out of the box with this meditation and tap into our creativity to help us focus. You’ll need some paper and some coloring supplies: markers, colored pencils, crayons, pens—whatever you have available to you will work great. I’m Amy Jackson. Let’s settle in and get started.

If you enjoy this meditation, you'll love my Soothing Art Series workshops happening in September 2022. Join me in person or through Zoom! Registration is now open. Register here!

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

Meditation 5: Soothing Breath

The Perch — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 18:04:23 GMT

The breath is an amazing tool for meditation. When we bring our focus to our breath, we bring our focus back to ourselves, and we have the power to soothe ourselves and find some calm. In this simple meditation, we’ll focus on the breath and use it to help soothe and calm our nervous system. I’m Amy Jackson. Let’s settle in, and get started.

If you enjoy this meditation, you'll love my Soothing Art Series in September 2022! Head to my website to learn more.

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

Ep. 6: Take a Break from the Mental To-Do List

The Perch — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 18:50:47 GMT

You know when you're trying to relax and your mind starts reminding you of ALL the things you need to do? Suddenly you remember 10 things to add to your grocery list, and that you forgot the form for school and to respond to your friend's text and what are we even having for dinner tonight and did I remember to send that email at work? Let’s chat about how meditation has helped me stop the constant ticker running through my head to find some peace. I’m Amy Jackson. Let’s settle in and get started.

I'd love to help you bring meditation into your life in ways that make sense for you and your schedule just in time for the school year to start. I’m offering a Meditation Workshop on August 11, 2022 where I'll show you how to take a break from the constant mental to-do list and find some peace. It’s perfect for beginners, and the best part is that you can join me at The Perch or through Zoom! Register here: https://theperchplace.myshopify.com/products/meditation-workshop

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

Ep. 5: Beyond Bubble Baths

The Perch — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 12:00:00 GMT

I like bubble baths a lot, especially in one of these deep tubs. But somehow luxurious bubble baths got equated with self care, and that’s just not the truth. Let’s dive into the kind of self care that’s so good but may not feel so luxurious. I’m Amy Jackson. Let’s settle in and get started.

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

Ep. 4: 5 Ways to Make Your Vacation Good for Your Soul

The Perch — Mon, 11 Jul 2022 11:00:00 GMT

It’s vacation season! Have you ever gone on vacation desperately in need of a refresh, but then returned home feeling the same, or maybe worse than when you left? It takes intentionality to make vacations actually restful. Let’s dive into several practical steps we can take to make our vacations good for our souls. I’m Amy Jackson. Let’s settle in, and get started.

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

Meditation 4: Invite Peace and Calm

The Perch — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 12:00:00 GMT

Friend, you are worthy of self care. You deserve self care. And Self care really can fit into your life. In this guided meditation, you’ll reflect on the activities and practices that help bring peace and calm into your life. You can be seated, lying down, or even standing—whatever feels best to you. I’m Amy Jackson. Let’s settle in and get started.

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

Ep. 3: You Are Worthy of Self Care

The Perch — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 12:00:00 GMT

I’ve noticed lately that we’ve taken self care and made it mean expensive, time-intensive activities that simply aren’t accessible for most people. I think we’ve got the wrong idea about self care, and I want to set the record straight. I’m Amy Jackson. Let’s settle in and get started.

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

Ep. 2: Tips to Feel Grounded This Summer

The Perch — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 19:52:50 GMT

I'd love to hear what you're doing to feel more grounded this summer! Share with me in a DM on social media or send me an email: info@theperchplace.com. I'd love to hear from you! If you'd like to get my Self-Reflection Deck or my book Unhurried (both mentioned in this podcast), you can purchase them on my website! https://theperchplace.myshopify.com/

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

Meditation 3: Release Anxiety

The Perch — Tue, 10 May 2022 19:47:00 GMT

With so much going on in the world, more and more people are experiencing anxiety on a regular basis. If you’re feeling anxious today, you’re not alone, and there’s nothing wrong with you. Anxiety is a normal bodily response. It’s our body’s way of letting us know there’s a threat. But sometimes our anxiety can be a little overactive—like when it sticks around after the threat is gone, or when there never was a threat. Let’s take a break today and see if we can release some of this anxiety. You can do this meditation seated or lying down, whichever would feel more comfortable to you. More than anything, I invite you to find a position that will allow you to relax and focus. I’m Amy Jackson. Let’s settle in, and get started.

Suggested Resources:

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

Meditation 2: Take a Break

The Perch — Tue, 10 May 2022 19:46:14 GMT

When I feel overwhelmed by all I want to accomplish in a day, I find it especially helpful to pause and simply take a break. It’s a gentle reminder to myself that I am a human being, not a machine. It’s good to take a break! You can do this meditation seated comfortably or even lying down. Just choose a posture that will help you focus rather than be a distraction. I’m Amy Jackson. Let’s settle in and get started.

Suggested Resources:

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

Meditation 1: Coffee Ritual

The Perch — Tue, 10 May 2022 19:45:00 GMT

During the early days of the pandemic, when everything felt a bit surreal, I created a simple coffee ritual to help me feel grounded in a tumultuous time. I didn’t always know what time I’d make my coffee, but I knew I’d make it at some point, and this simple moment helped me feel more at ease and focused in a way I desperately needed. Today I offer it to you in a guided meditation form. Get your coffee brewing right now. I’m Amy Jackson. Let’s settle in, and get started.

Suggested Resources:

Unhurried: A 52-Week Meditiative Bible Reading Guide

Mindful Mornings Notepad

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.

Ep. 1: Introduction to Just Press Pause

The Perch — Tue, 10 May 2022 19:44:00 GMT

To kick off this podcast, I want to give you a peek behind the scenes. I’m Amy Jackson. Let’s settle in and get started.

I started The Perch in 2017 to be a resting place where people could discover and practice soul care. For me, soul care is all those things we do to help us live the healthy, thriving lives of purpose we were created for. It’s moving our bodies and taking breaks and getting enough water and prayer and connecting with others and healing past trauma and discovering our true identity. It’s taking care of our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.

Soul care became really important in my life about 15 years ago when I was a minister at a church and I found myself completely burned out. Worse, I felt a lot of shame about being burned out. Shouldn’t I know how to combat burnout? Shouldn’t I, as a minister, know how to connect deeply with God, myself, and others to prevent burnout?

Well, in case you haven’t learned this yet, shoulds are liars. The truth is that I hadn’t learned the rhythms of soul care. I’d learned how to do a lot of things, but I hadn’t learned how to refill my soul in a holistic way. And there’s no shame in needing to learn.

What I discovered in my search was that for centuries Christians have done all sorts of practices that refilled them and refueled them and connected them to God, themselves, and others—but I’d never heard of these practices. Ancient contemplative practices like lectio divina and Scripture meditation. Ancient corporate practices like lament. Even ancient ways of praying like breath prayer. They were all new to me, and I started trying them as I learned about them.

Here's what I’ve learned since then: we were created to need rest. Rest is good. Rest is not a distraction or a burden. It’s a beautiful gift that’s meant to be opened every day. And rest is not just physical: it’s mental, emotional, sensory, and relational too. To put it bluntly: we all need to press pause—every single day.

That’s why I created The Perch as a place to rest, find peace, and experience transformation. Through workshops, yoga classes, retreats, and more, I love providing a space for people to focus on soul care and walk away feeling relaxed, refreshed, and refilled. And this podcast is an extension of The Perch.

My hope with this podcast is to help you press pause in meaningful ways. You’ll find guided meditations, ideas for engaging soul care in your own life, and tips I’ve learned along the way for staying grounded and connected.

You’ll find that some episodes pull from my Christian faith and others don’t. My goal is to make every episode accessible to people of faith, of no faith, and everywhere in between.

Let’s take a deep breath in and out together right now. We can always use a reminder to stop and breathe.

Friend, I’m so glad you’re here on this journey with me. Today as you go about your day, may you know you are deeply loved, and may you experience a bone-deep peace. Amen.

This podcast is brought to you by The Perch, a soul care organization in Aurora, IL. To find out about my workshops, classes, and products, head to my website now: theperchplace.com.