LoginSHOPshop

The Optimists Journal

Heartfelt Anecdotes and Practical Resources to Help You Create Wellness for Life.

Hi! I’m Wendy, mother of four, writer, and founder of Be Better Media. I am passionate about deep health, sustainable high performance, and human connection. As a lifelong learner, I believe that our own self-awareness is the greatest gift we can give to the next generation. This is my inspiration not to be perfect but to Be Better for myself and for them, every day. I know that it takes courage to reflect and when we are ready, share our stories so that real human connection is possible. This is what I set out to create with my blog, ‘The Optimists Journal’; my podcast, ‘What I Meant to Say’, and the interviews, videos, and other content created and presented by Be Better Media. In my downtime, you’ll find me hanging out with my kids and cats, going to yoga, and playing volleyball on the beach.

I believe that self awareness is the greatest gift we can give to the next generation.

How It All Started

I remember sitting on a patio in 2016, knowing I was at the edge of an impending divorce and feeling my life fall apart at the seams.

My question at the time was "How did I get here?" and "How can I help my kids get through this?" I had always been a journaler, but I started my blog, The Optimists Journal to give my kids a place to go later in life to understand their Mom's thoughts and heart through the myriad of situations that life brings our way.

In so many ways, my blog grew to be my podcast 'What I Meant to Say' because as I released my words to the world, I stepped into a place where for the first time in my life, I wasn't afraid to be seen. It was liberating.

So, I wanted to create space for others to have that same experience. If there is one thing I hope comes from the stories we share on 'What I Meant To Say', it is that it becomes a place of connection and growth that we can all experience when we simply take the time to listen.

Check out the podcast!
Wendy Jones

The Evolution of Confidence

There’s an article about me from 1988 in the Fresno Bee in my file. The headline reads: “Shy, demure Jones can’t help but draw attention.”  I remember being embarrassed as I read it.  It’s always […]
Read More...
Wendy Jones

The Permission Slip

It’s hard to believe I’m done filling out permission slips for you. When I stare down the fact that we are leaving Tuesday…two tickets out, one ticket home, I can’t get rid of my chills.  […]
Read More...
Wendy Jones

The Game Of Life

Just a few years back someone asked me: “If you could live anywhere, where would it be?”  Even by this point in my life, I had traveled the world, but I quickly answered,  “Fresno. I […]
Read More...
Wendy Jones

The Wrinkles of Time

As far as my look goes, I have always been a naturalist.  I’ve never been particularly good with makeup or hairstyles, ask my kids…my boys had shaved heads from the time they were three and […]
Read More...

You may also like...

Purpose > Pleasure

I’ve heard it said many times and have experienced the feeling first hand, time is something you can’t get back. My follow up to that sentiment is, well then, we’d better enjoy how our time […]
Read More...

Generations of Inspiration

Almost 30 years ago, the AVP traveled to Lost Lake in Fresno, where I grew up, and my non-beach community had access to amazing beach volleyball…the crowds for the final were upwards of 25,000 and […]
Read More...

Beginner's Mind

When I learned to play volleyball, there were nine players standing on a blacktop volleyball court on the playground of my elementary school.  I was in 6th grade and the coach was a teacher, standing […]
Read More...

Most Viewed

Reflections on Motherhood

As I wandered the aisles of Target a few days back looking for Matthew’s birthday present, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. I hardly go there anymore, but when they were little, it was […]
Read More...

How To Create An Audience With Open Ears - An Optimists Perspective

Our country is awash in opinions, reds and blues, conservative, liberal, and everything in between.  It’s not a new phenomenon because of COVID-19, as Americans, we have always been a diverse bunch. Our perspectives are […]
Read More...

Connections From a Distance

Writers read. It creates deeper thought in our brains, sparks creativity, and adds connections to our ever philosophizing minds. One of my favorite things about quarantine life is having more time to finish books and […]
Read More...
crossmenu