25 years ago, I was a nanny in Paris.

But what I don’t often talk about is that this move came during what I call my “traumatic sabotage years”—a time when I was partying hard, making destructive choices, and stuck in a cycle of self-sabotage.

I was single and kept dating guys who didn’t respect me.

My life? Messy. Very, very messy.

Then one morning, after a wild night out, I was crashed on my bestie’s couch when my phone rang... it was 6 AM... it was Dad.

He called me almost every morning, and no matter how hungover or exhausted I was, I always answered. I miss those calls.

But this one? This one changed my life.

“JJ… do you want to go to Paris?”

(JJ was my dad’s nickname for me—short for Jennie Jube Jube, which became Jubinous Jelly, which became JJ. 🥰)

His friend in Paris knew a family desperate for a nanny—their last one had left suddenly, and they needed someone immediately.

The offer?

✅ A nanny suite

✅ Great pay

✅ Only 4-9 PM on weekdays

✅ And most importantly… a fresh start!

“If you say yes, you have to leave TOMORROW.”

I didn’t think. (Honestly? I was still a little high/drunk from the night before.) I just blurted out, “YES!”

And that was it. My whole life shifted in an instant. From Chaos to Clarity.

I grabbed a cab and went straight to my tiny, sad bachelor apartment.

I scribbled a note for my friend: "Hey, I’m moving to Paris tomorrow! Call me when you wake up!"

✅ Dragged my couch into the alley with a FREE sign.

✅ Gave my notice to my terrifying landlord.

✅ Shoved everything into garbage bags.

My mom showed up in her tiny Jetta, and we packed it to the roof. We drove home, I packed a single suitcase, and the next day, I met my dad’s Parisienne friends.

And just like that, I was in a whole new life.

✨ A new home

✨ A new job

✨ New friends (who liked hiking, traveling, and adventure—not just partying!)

That YES saved me.

It ripped me away from drinking, bad choices, and a path that was leading me nowhere. It gave me perspective.

Now, 25 Years Later… I’m Going Back!

This Wednesday, the 5th of March, I return to Paris.

But this time? I’m not lost.

I’m going back to -

🎤 Speak on International Women’s Day.

✨ Stand on a stage in a room full of world-changing women.

And I can’t help but reflect... 25 years ago I walked these streets reading books about angels, spending hours visiting churches and listening to Moby on my Discman.

I had so little… yet I was so rich.

✨ Rich in friendship

✨ Rich in health

✨ Rick in essentials—a Swiss Army knife, a kettle, books, and a backpack

✨ Rich in adventures—hiking in the Alps, sailing in the North, train rides, castles, dreams

And most of all? Clarity.

25 years ago, that version of me came back knowing she was meant for more.

Knowing that my YES started something.

And while I wasn’t fully healed yet, I sabotaged a little less.

Sometimes, one YES can change everything.

So, let me ask you... What's Your YES?

What’s the moment where, despite fear, despite not knowing what was next, YOU took a leap?

Or… is it time to say YES to something now?

DM me! I’d love to hear your story.

With love & alignment,