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John Selick

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Annie’s Signature Sweets

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M Cellars

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Farewell, Friends

“We’re like snow globes. We spend all of our time, energy, words, and money creating a flurry, trying not to know, making sure the snow doesn’t settle so we never have to face the fiery truth inside us – solid and unmoving.

The relationship is over. The wine is winning. The pills aren’t for back pain anymore. He’s never coming back. That book won’t write itself. The move is the only way. Quitting this job will save my life. It is abuse. You never grieved him. It’s been six months since we made love. Spending a lifetime hating her is no life at all.
We keep ourselves shaken up because there are dragons in our center.” – Glennon Doyle, Untamed
 
I came across this quote from Glennon Doyle (goodness, she’s magnificent) and I knew. I knew why I kept writing for so long and why I could stop now. I knew why, even when people would incredulously comment on the number of events I attended or how much I blogged, it didn’t phase me. I kept the sound on, volume turned all the way up on my life because it was a distraction from what was irrevocably there. It was easier to ignore than to acknowledge. It was easier not to be present, because presence equaled pain.
This writing didn’t start from there and that wasn’t the only motivator, to be sure. Over the last nearly ten years, I have loved sharing my life and my Cleveland with you. I have had amazing experiences that I treasure beyond any mere escapism that they also provided. I cherish the real and genuine connections.
When the pandemic hit, I was still living with my ex-husband, despite being separated for nearly 9 months. And the slam-on-the-brakes shutdown of any way to escape what was an untenable living situation sent me into a bit of a tailspin. I felt trapped.
But as my life changed and I began to breathe deeply again, I found myself less drawn to this forum. Less in need of the social media high. Craving fewer distractions and more genuine engagement with my life, my people, my work. I moved and I started a new job. I found happiness for myself and with someone else. The relentless pace I had kept up with blogging was not just unavailable, it was unnecessary.
This time, this year, has simplified life for all of us. It’s stripped it down. Given us the chance to decide what matters. What stays. I’m never going to be a total homebody. I’m never going to be an introvert. But I feel definitively, and have felt for awhile, that the blogger/influencer stage is done.
So, thank you, thank you, thank you for nearly a decade of more fun, more connection, more everything than I could have imagined. You guys made this worthwhile and made it last. And now it’s not you, it’s me.
On the practical side, this site will stay live for a bit. The Authentically CLE Facebook page will be deleted. My Instagram and Twitter bios will be updated to reflect me being, well, just me. If you choose to keep following there, expect kind of what you’ve seen there lately – a shift toward just the personal side of life. I think the name still works and, in fact, this feels like the most authentic I can possibly be.

About Jen

Jen

Jen is the voice behind Authentically CLE. Formerly of Why CLE, Authentically CLE is a project to share the stories and faces of Cleveland's businesses. Because the people make the city. 

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Featured Posts

Farewell, Friends

Pressing Pause

Looking Back, Looking Forward

Back to School

The Jeff(rey)s

Colon Cancer

Photo Shoots

A Divorce Allegory

I’ve Got That Summertime Sadness

Being Happy in 2020

How Authentically CLE Was Born

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Pressing Pause

Jen's life

Well, it’s been awhile, guys. And it’s not that there’s not plenty going on both in my life and with fabulous Cleveland folks to talk about. But I’m just feeling overwhelmed at the moment. I’m trying to wrap my head around everything going on with my mom. I’m trying to knock it out of the park at a new(ish) job that I love. I’m trying to be the best mom and daughter and girlfriend and friend I can to, frankly, the most amazing crew of people anyone could ask for in their life. None of this is meant to be...

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An Authentic Cleveland Fall

Cleveland Places

Fall has always been my favorite season. I love the cooler mornings and evenings, watching the leaves change, and all the fun things to do around town. Even this year, there is still plenty of fall fun to had… The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has modified it’s annual Halloween event to Trick or Treat Fest, a daytime event happening weekends from October 9-31. There will be live performances, characters to visit, Trick or Treat Way, carousel rides, and the Dinosaurs Around the World exhibit included with your ticket.   Cedar Point has also adapted it’s annual Halloween event to Tricks and...

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Pinstripes Bistro, Bowling, & Bocce

businesses

As Jeffrey and I have been exploring places, we ended up at Pinstripes Bistro, Bowling & Bocce at Pinecrest. We started out with two games of bowling, made super easy by the electronic scoring and ease of adding in bumpers for individual players (although perhaps I should have added bumpers for me). Jeffrey had a blast! The bowling balls were marked with stickers over the thumb hole once they had been cleaned, making it easy to know which were good to go. Also, while masks weren’t required in your personal lane area, Jeffrey and I chose to keep ours on....

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Cafilia

businesses, People

Since heading back to the office, I’ve seen my caffeine intake markedly jump. So when Aleksandra reached out about Cafilia, a new coffee subscription service, I jumped right on finding out more. Cafilia not only supports local coffee shops, but helps to reduce waste. Here’s how it works. You sign up for a monthly subscription. You pick your number and type of drinks (10, 15, or 20 cups and drip coffee or latte drinks). You’ll receive a reusable mug with your personalized number on the bottom. When you go to a participating local coffee shop, they plug in your number,...

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Today on the blog (yes, I blogged!) #linkinprofile Today on the blog (yes, I blogged!) #linkinprofile...

This time, this year, has simplified life for all of us. It's stripped it down. Given us the chance to decide what matters. What stays. I'm never going to be a total homebody. I'm never going to be an introvert. But I feel definitively, and have felt for awhile, that the blogger/influencer stage is done.

So, thank you, thank you, thank you for nearly a decade of more fun, more connection, more everything than I could have imagined. You guys made this worthwhile and made it last. And now it's not you, it's me.

#flashesofdelight #clevelandbloggers #neolifestyle 📸: @jasphotographydc
Felt fierce. Felt bold. Did a thing. Thanks, @lady Felt fierce. Felt bold. Did a thing. Thanks, @ladysealegs (and @anneesquire and @riahroj) 🤫

#sharefetch #leopardisaneutral #wearamask #sparkleeverydamnday #bebold #neolifestyle #clevelandbloggers
Happy 11th Gotcha Day to my favorite fuzz, my ride Happy 11th Gotcha Day to my favorite fuzz, my ride or die, my Tobey Symon George 🐶

#dogsofinstagram #tobeysymongeorge #crazydoglady #fuzzlove #adoptdontshop #whorescuedwho #neolifestyle #clevelandbloggers
Calculating how many days a week I can wear sweate Calculating how many days a week I can wear sweater dresses and booties...

#fallfashion #ootd #whatiwore #hautelook #sweaterdress #itsfallyall #neolifestyle #clevelandbloggers
Honoring all those who serve so bravely and selfle Honoring all those who serve so bravely and selflessly. We owe you a debt that can never be repaid, but we seek to uphold your legacy with our commitment to our highest ideals. Happy Veterans Day! 🇺🇸

#veteransday #happyveteransday #veterans #wwii #honoringthosewhoserved #neolifestyle #clevelandbloggers #wbw #waybackwednesday
Two months ago, I had never heard of neuroendocrin Two months ago, I had never heard of neuroendocrine cancer. Now I’m more familiar with it than I would ever want to be.

Known as the zebra of the cancer world because of it’s rarity and the unique way it manifests in each patient, it is often misdiagnosed initially.

As happened with my mother, 46% of those diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer are at Stage IV and/or had metastases at the time of diagnosis.

@netcancerday seeks to raise awareness of symptoms both among patients and health care professionals to lead to earlier diagnosis and better treatment options.

Click the link in my profile to learn more.

#netcancerday #letstalkaboutnets #neuroendocrinecancer #incaalliance #neolifestyle #clevelandbloggers #cancersucks
If you’re part of my circle, chances are you’v If you’re part of my circle, chances are you’ve sat around my mom’s kitchen table drinking margaritas and talking about everything big and small. Momma G’s margaritas are somewhat legendary that way...

So you can imagine how much I loved sharing a margarita in the sunshine with my beautiful momma yesterday 🍹

#patiodrinking #itsfallyall #fallincle #cheers #margarita #igotitfrommymomma #sundayfunday #neolifestyle #clevelandbloggers
It’s a hang your head out the window kind of day It’s a hang your head out the window kind of day ☀️

#fallincle #itsfallyall #cleweather #clewx #momlife #boymom #sundayfunday #neolifestyle #clevelandbloggers
Big 👏🏻 Frickin 👏🏻 Mood 👏🏻 #ridi Big 👏🏻 Frickin 👏🏻 Mood 👏🏻

#ridinwithbiden #biden #aviators #joebiden #neolifestyle #clevelandbloggers #flashesofdelight 📸: @joyfireburn
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