Notes From My Time with Jango:
(Shared with assistance from my support workers. I discussed these topics during and after sessions, and they helped me clarify my thoughts.)
I never planned to share something like this. Still, after spending a few months with the fantastic team at Jango, especially Lote, I began to notice some gentle changes within myself, both in my feelings and my reactions to different situations. It’s been such a fascinating journey, and I found myself taking notes after our sessions, and sometimes even during them, to capture those moments.
This isn’t a grand story; instead, it’s a collection of sweet, small insights that have made a difference. I wanted to share this from my perspective, using simple words to express where I’m coming from. Just me, being open and honest.
First few weeks: Nerves and silence
I remember sitting in the car, not wanting to get out. The first few sessions were hard. I didn’t talk much. I wasn’t sure what to say. I felt like I had to be “good” or “normal” or something. Lote didn’t ask much at first. Just “How’s your body feel today?” or “Want to go outside?”
Sometimes we just walked.
Sometimes I didn’t answer.
And that was okay.
He didn’t fill the silence. That helped.
Month two: Talking about stuff
We started talking more. I told him I didn’t like loud places. I said my head gets “too full” when things change too fast.
He listened. Wrote things down. Asked if I wanted breaks during the day.
He noticed when I was fidgeting too much and said, “You want to switch tasks?” No judgment.
That made me feel like I was being heard without having to explain every little thing. I started looking forward to sessions.
Not every day, but more than before.
We started doing some active things. Walking in a group, stretching, and small movement games. I thought I’d hate it. I didn’t.
When I could follow a routine without panicking, it felt like a big win.
Even holding eye contact for a few seconds during a group talk made me feel like I’d done something significant.
Lote always noticed, even if I didn’t say it out loud.
Some Bad Days, But Not Like Before
I still have down days. I get frustrated.
Sometimes I cancel. But now I don’t feel like a failure when that happens.
They always say, “Let’s just try again next time.”
That makes a difference.
Not Fixed. But Calmer.
I’m not “better.” I still have issues. Still get anxious, especially around new people. But now, things feel less scary. I know how to slow myself down.
I’ve learned what helps me stay calm. I know that I don’t need to be perfect to be doing okay.
Lote and the Jango crew didn’t try to change who I am. They just made space for me to figure things out.
That’s rare.
If You're Reading This
If you’re someone who doesn’t like group activities or worries you won’t “fit in,” I understand.
I didn’t want any of this at first.
But now I have people I trust. A place I go where I don’t have to pretend.
Just… try. You don’t have to be ready. You just have to show up.
Even quietly. Even slowly.
That’s what I did.
That’s what Jango became for me.
One of the things I’ve learned with Lote and the team is that this is a pathway, not a destination. No one’s trying to “fix” me. It’s not about turning me into someone I’m not. It’s about helping me build the life I want—step by step, at my pace.
Some days, that means just making it out of the house. On other days, I try something new, like speaking up in a group or walking an unfamiliar trail.
Every little moment is part of this new path.
And I’ve learned that health isn’t just about the body. It’s how your mind feels, too.
How safe you feel. How well you sleep. How you talk to yourself.
That’s what we work on.
I didn’t expect to meet a dietitian at Jango. I always thought that was for athletes or people on weird health kicks. But I met one through the program. He didn’t lecture me or make me feel dumb for what I eat. He asked good questions, like:
- Do you get tired after you eat?
- Do you forget to drink water?
- What food makes you feel calm?
We made minor changes.
Not to lose weight or anything like that—just to feel more balanced. I didn’t know that eating differently could help with my focus or sleep, but it has.
Now I don’t crash in the afternoons as much. My moods don’t swing so fast. That’s a big win for me.
When people hear the word program, they think of worksheets, rigid schedules, and group therapy circles. That’s not what this is.
Yes, there are plans. Yes, there are goals. But what it really feels like is someone building the week around you. What you need, what you’re struggling with, and what you might be ready for.
Lote always says, “It’s your program, not mine.” That sticks with me.
Before Jango, I thought support meant being “handled” or managed. Here, it means being heard, being respected, and having someone to walk the hard parts with you.
It means not having to explain everything every single time.
It means laughing—even when things are weird or tough.
It means having people who know your name and notice when you’re not okay.
This has become more than a service for me.
It’s a part of my health routine—mental, emotional, and yes, even physical.
So What Now?
I still take notes after sessions. Not always neat ones. But they help me see where I’ve been and where I might go. And when I look back on how I felt at the start, it’s wild to think how far I’ve come.
I’m still figuring things out. But I’ve got a pathway now. I’ve got support.
And most importantly, I’ve got people who show up—even when I can’t quite explain why I need them.
That’s what Lote and Jango gave me.
And I’m finally starting to give that to myself, too.
