The Inner Work Gets to Pre-Decide

by Jennifer Stovall on February 9, 2026

We often think inner healing is for the big things.

The breakthroughs. The crises. The moments that change everything.

But the truth is—inner work is for the ordinary.

It’s for moments like sitting in a hotel, bags packed, vacation already started… and realizing how easy it would be to let small inconveniences steal the joy if I let them.

And then realizing: there’s actually nothing wrong here.

People can always find something.

But because of the work I’ve done, I get to pre-decide:

I won’t.

Not because I’m forcing positivity—but because I’ve practiced something better.

Gratitude.

Perspective.

Finding the miracles hiding in plain sight.

Inner healing doesn’t remove life’s inconveniences.

It gives us peace inside them.

So yes, I packed swimsuits and sundresses for this trip.

But I also packed pre-decisions.

I packed gratitude.

I packed the ability to see joy in the ordinary moments instead of waiting for the “highlight reel.”

That’s the real fruit of the work.

Not just healing for the hard days—but joy that shows up on the easy ones.

And that kind of peace?

You can take it anywhere.