Life Lessons From Fantasy Football - A Therapist Runs a Fantasy Team

About a month ago, I started sending out a little “Just Three Things” email. At first, I loved how simple it felt, but pretty quickly I realized it didn't feel super aligned. I want to keep things short and accessible, but I also want what I share to have some heart behind it.

So I’m shifting gears. From here on out, I’ll bring “Just Three Things” into this space instead. At the end of each blog post, you’ll find a quick TL;DR (too long; didn’t read) version -- for those days when you just want the simple takeaways without the whole deep dive.

You’ll still get emails from me, but not every single week. Think of it more like a little treat that shows up in your mailbox—something special, not another thing to add to your pile.

If you like (or hate) the emails feel free to send me some feedback or topics you would like me to cover!

It's Draft Week!

It’s fantasy football draft week here in my house and after several years of bad luck at the hands of my co-manager (ahem, sorry babe), I’ve been given the reins to do whatever I want this year. In very Jena fashion, I’ve changed the team name, created a logo, and have a full spreadsheet of research to guide my draft tomorrow night.

But enough about how I’m going to take our team to victory this year (because I can’t just casually do anything)… while I was searching away, I realized how much drafting an NFL fantasy team reminds me of the way we approach life.

So here are my "Just Three Things" this week, with a little bit of a different spin:

🏆 Have a Keeper: Hold on to what works for you.

In my team’s case, we kept Travis Kelce—which made my fantasy name even more fitting (and, let’s be honest, a little obnoxious to everyone else in the league). But here’s the thing: you don’t always have to reinvent the wheel. We’re constantly being influenced by everyone and everything around us—friends, family, the internet, even complete strangers promising the “next best thing.”

The same is true when it comes to mental health. If you rebuild your routines so much that they stop fitting you, they lose their power. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve jumped into a shiny new routine that looked great on paper—but it was built for someone else’s brain, lifestyle, or priorities. No surprise, it never lasted.

The practices that actually stick are the ones that fit your life—not someone else’s.

At the end of the day, it’s less about doing what looks perfect and more about doing what actually works for you.

🎲 Take a Risk: Sometimes the sleeper is the one who changes everything.

Keeping what works doesn’t mean staying stuck. In fantasy, you keep your reliable players, but you also take a shot on a rookie or sleeper pick that might give your team new life. It’s not about tossing out your whole lineup; it’s about finding the balance between the steady and the new.

Life works the same way. Some of the most meaningful growth comes from risks that scare us a little—trying therapy, saying no when you usually say yes, applying for the job you don’t feel “ready” for, or even reaching out to a new friend. Not every risk pays off, and that’s okay.

What matters is giving yourself permission to experiment with what might bring energy and change, while still holding onto the routines that keep you grounded.

🤝 Build Depth: A strong bench matters.

No fantasy team survives on one or two stars alone. You need depth—players you can rely on when things don’t go as planned. The same is true for life. We all need a “bench” of supports to lean on when the week feels heavy: friends who show up, routines that steady us, coping tools that regulate us, or professionals who can guide us.

So how do we build that kind of depth in real life? Sometimes it looks like:

• Investing in relationships with people who feel safe, honest, and reciprocal.

• Practicing routines (like sleep, movement, or meals) that give you a baseline of stability.

• Developing coping tools you can reach for when things feel overwhelming—breathing exercises, journaling, or grounding strategies.

• Asking for help early instead of waiting until you’re in crisis.

• Seeking support from therapy, support groups, or communities that “get it.”

Depth doesn’t mean having everything figured out—it means having enough in place that when something falls through, you’re not left stranded. Building that kind of support system makes the hard weeks a little lighter and the wins a lot more joyful.

At the end of the day, whether your fantasy team wins or loses (notice how I said "your" and not mine) , life isn’t about building the “perfect roster.” It’s about knowing what to keep, where to take a chance, and how to surround yourself with the kind of depth that helps you weather the hard weeks and savor the good ones. That balance—between holding steady and daring to grow—is where we find our rhythm.

Journal Prompt:

Where in your life do you need to keep what’s working, where could you take a risk, and how might you build more depth to support yourself for the long season ahead?

🌱 TL;DR — Just Three Things This Week

1. 🏆 Have a Keeper: Hold on to what works for you.

2. 🎲 Take a Risk: Sometimes the sleeper is the one who changes everything.

3. 🤝 Build Depth: A strong bench of supports makes all the difference.

Journal Prompt:Where in your life do you need to keep what’s working, where could you take a risk, and how might you build more depth to support yourself for the long season ahead?

Our draft is tomorrow night. Wish me luck!

-Jena