Sweet Willow Massage & Wellness

05/09/2026

This weekend has a list of feelings that follow it in the days leading up to and that follows it in the moments after. I can honestly say every group I specialize in for massage can have complex feelings.

My clients with infertilty and loss, dressing of the whatifs. Will this be the last year with no babe in arms, will I always have empty arms. The grief can be overwhelming and feel endless. I remember these days so vividly, I can feel the emotions running through my veins.

My clients who will be birthing. The realization that this time next year they'll have someone calling them a name they only dreamed of or never anticipated. Dealing with their own trauma with their own parental relationships. Maybe it's a pregnancy after loss, the fear can be intense and all consuming. This is a feeling I can also feel so vividly and recall too well.

My postpartum clients may have guilt for postpartum depression and anxiety and feeling doubt of worth and value. Maybe there was birth trauma and reality hits of what could have been. This is so me. Maybe it's the wonder if there will be more births in the future.

My oncology clients... The ones who have the fear if this year will be the last. The anxiety that never leaves. Complicated feelings if they made everything count, was it the best memories, was it enough.

I also want to acknowledge my clients with body dysmorphia. To be in a body that has lived and not feel connected with societal norms of expectations, you are seen.

Your mental health matters this weekend and every day. Give yourself grace this weekend. Stay hydrated with water. Get outside.

05/07/2026

For the remainder of the month, I'm going to do my best to post about mental health, why it matters to me as a massage therapist, and why it matters as a human being.

If you've ever been a client, this is the first thing I ask about in our initial session together. How are you taking care of your mental health, do you have a therapist, what do you look for in support and do you need to use an in-network provider? I never want to assume anything for anyone, even the fellow professionals I support. I'm not a mental health therapist, which is why I ask these questions so you can get connected with a trusted provider that will hopefully be a good fit for you.

Your mind is equally, if not more important than the physical health and I have no problem saying that. In my list of trusted resources they must fit the demographics I serve: reproductive health (including but not limited to: understanding infertility, pregnancy/infant loss, grief, birthing folks, birth, birth trauma, postpartum, etc) and oncology, end of life support.

If you feel comfortable, who's a therapist that you love and has helped you during your journeys?

04/22/2026

Navigating infertility is an incredibly isolating experience. No one gets it like you do, they can try to understand, but unless they've been on this ride, no one can begin to comprehend. What began as a path of silence, and loneliness, evolved into community, trust, purpose.

From the Pineapple Connections to my fellow birthworkers, to friends that are family, to unknown supporters to my friends that became family over the years, to my DM besties that became IRL besties, to family and of course my my life partner. I mean, you should get you a buddy dressed as a hotdog willing to draw up meds for a transfer (Thanks ).

This isn't a post about how lucky I am, but that if you feel isolated and alone, there is a community that is open and willing to make sure you don't walk alone. Whether it's the Pineapples, a RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association support group or another one (I know plenty to refer to), you've got company for the mystery ahead.

04/20/2026

The biggest piece of wisdom I would always give my clients was find the thing that gives you joy and hold on to that so that you don't lose yourself and regret that you are your infertility.

When I embarked on my own journey I had no idea what that was going to be. I thought being in the massage room was my everything. That was the joy, that was my purpose and my passion. Okay, maybe I also enjoyed gardening spending time with my chickens, dog and my partner.

But the essence of who I was I really felt like massage was my identity. But early on when we were in the waiting game of tests and appointments before treatments even started, we got started on some of the projects that we hadn't gotten a chance to build yet. We finally took advantage of that, and wow! it felt so good. While I was waiting in between more tests, more appointments, monitoring appointments, IUIs, retrieval, transfers... having my hands on power tools and creating and building gave me a sense of purpose and passion that I had longed for and missed. It felt so good and it reminded me that I am and always will be .

04/19/2026

Here's to showing up, and being seen and heard!

04/12/2026

If you've been to my practice, you know I am an advocate of these messages!

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18UZdwzHCj/

04/06/2026

🌿Updates From the Sweet Willow Massage Table -

Image of Jessie, owner of Sweet Willow Massage & Wellness LLC sitting on a massage table with sheets and a blanket.

04/02/2026

I'm so sorry. So while my update is not exactly what I want it to be this season, this year is all about surrender and acceptance and just being. So, while I am home, not seeing clients, I am working very very hard on the Hope on the High Notes Baltimore event benefiting RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association on Sunday May 3rd. So please don't make me feel like this is all for nothing and sign up for the event. Come out to the event. Get your tickets. You don't have to sing. You can come as a cheerleader. Do something for the sake of the community. Do something for somebody else, if not me, for the 1 in 6 that is dealing with infertility and family building struggles.

12/29/2025

Maybe you or someone you know would LOVE to sponsor a fabulous, fun, hilarious, and spectacular Karaoke event Hope on the High Notes Baltimore. This is happening Sunday, May 3, 2026 at noon benefitting : The National Infertility Association at Brewery in Hunt Valley. I am happy to email you the sponsorship packet, and would love for you to share and sign-up to participate, as well.

As a part of the infertility community, we want to do our part, with you. There are many ways to help - donate to the event, become a volunteer, become a sponsor, register for the karaoke event as an individual or create a team to perform and help with fundraising. Any way you decide to help will ha...

12/05/2025

Food for thought... If driving to me when it's snowing, freezing rain, etc makes you anxious, that doesn't make for safe driving. Message me. Honestly. I'd rather you be safe and off the road than being stressed, more stressed than you already may be.