Some days you’re put together; some days you slide in sideways. Both count. In this porch talk, Jennifer shares what it looks like to practice space (permission to be where you are) and grace (the kindness you give yourself while you’re there) in real time—right in the middle of neuropsych testing, therapy, and a brain running on fumes.
She talks about saying “I don’t have the capacity for that today,” the day she literally did nothing (pajamas, no shower, no productivity), and how tools like ChatGPT, Notion, Airtable, Alexa, Siri, and her Apple Watch act as scaffolding—not weakness—on the hard days. Grace shows up in people, too—like the fashion show that made space when she couldn’t make rehearsal.
This one is honest, practical, and full of relief: both count as progress.
In this episode:
Why we withhold space & grace from ourselves—and what it costs
Using your words: “I don’t have the capacity for that today”
Space as oxygen; limits as boundaries, not failures
Grace as shame-interruptor (how to stop the guilt loop)
The bill for withholding: body, mind, relationships
Real-time practice: unfinished testing, pajama day, trying again
Scaffolding that helps: ChatGPT, Notion, Airtable, Alexa, Siri, Apple Watch
Both count: the polished days and the scraped-together days
Psalms of a Daughter is now available on Amazon.
Grit & Grace Challenge is happening now on Patreon: patreon.com/jennifershatzer
Learn more: JenniferShatzer.com
Instagram: @thejennifershatzer
Facebook: facebook.com/thejennifershatzer
If you’re struggling or in crisis, in the U.S. call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
As always, with space and a little salty grace…
Until the next time the porch lights blink.
