Daily Inspiration: Meet Janae Aiken

Today we’d like to introduce you to Janae Aiken.

Hi Janae, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Janae Aiken and I grew up a military brat, meaning I’ve moved around several times while growing up. I was born in San Antonio, Texas, and ended up playing collegiate soccer in North Carolina.

I knew I always wanted to be an educator so I double majored in English Education and History. I have always had a passion for helping people and wanted to work in an environment where I could continuously influence the youth and impact their lives, so I became a high school English teacher and soccer coach.

I am a very creative and artistic person and it wasn’t until my grandfather passed that I started working on my first poetry book, “Bloom” and then started working on my second poetry book, “Growth” when I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Colorectal Cancer in 2019.

I never thought people would be able to relate or connect to me in the most vulnerable moments I have had in my life but they have. I also never thought that I would be a 2-time published author while working full time.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Some struggle I have faced throughout the way is working full time as a high school teacher.

When I was drafting “Bloom” in 2018, my students were so supportive, that I let them read a couple of my poems while I had them in my sketchbook. With me teaching and coaching full-time, setting aside time for my creative outlets takes a lot of work and planning.

I also am a person that wears many hats, I am a busy body = having to always do something and be active. While I was going through Chemotherapy, I had to learn to take a break and practice more self-care luxuries. I have always been an independent person, believing that I can do things by myself without any help and that is a challenge that I have had to work on daily.

I have had to train myself to ask others for help when I need it so I don’t exhaust myself.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As an English teacher, I really am a cheat code in itself to make my work come to fruition. I have had a very successful teaching career so far, winning teaching awards, earning grants for projects, and creating resources for other teachers.

I decided to take my writing more seriously and promote my passions and creations with more intention and that is when my blog “Bloom + Growth” was born. I create monthly manifestation journal prompts to help others with their writing journey, feature a poet of the month, and highlight 4 creatives/business owners every month.

This blog is an extension of my 2 poetry books, “Bloom” and “Growth” allowing individuals to work toward manifesting growth in their life.

What sets me apart from others is that I am very well-rounded and skilled in a lot of things. For example, I create my own content, edit my own writing materials, code my website, and handle all of my marketing and production materials.

What makes you happy?
Being able to be in a space to express my emotions in a healthy way makes me happy.

I really enjoy being in nature, coaching soccer, trying new food, photography, and spending time implementing self-care. Two years ago, I vowed that I would start taking care of myself more and allowing more opportunities to relax.

For example, I started scheduling more facials, massages, hair and nail appointments, and going for midday drives. Best decision I have ever made to maintain happiness.

Pricing:

• “Bloom” = $20
• “Growth”= $22
• Bloom + Growth Coasters =$25
• Growth Manifestation Journal=$20
• Growth Bookmarks = $10

Contact Info:

• Email: bloom_growth@bloomgrowth.net
• Website: https://www.bloomgrowth.net/
• Instagram: business: @bloom.growth and personal: @texasxotrill
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ManifestGrowth

Image Credits
Emmett Thornburg