Highkey Adulting: I Burned Myself in Saltwater to Save My Life
transmuting my pain into yet another creative outlet *nervous laugh*
My writing is likely going to be the easiest way for you to get to know me, so I invite you to settle in and embrace a bit of parasocial connection. I hope you are able to discover parts of yourself through my dreamy and abstract view of the world and the journey I know most intimately—my own.
Tap, tap. Is this thing on?
Whoops, wrong platform lol. I guess it’s about time I finally picked up the pen (or, well, keyboard). After years of broadcasting my thoughts on Highkey Adulting the podcast, I’m excited to finally channel that same energy into a blog, hoping to offer a more IntRosPective peRspeCtiVe. So welcome, welcome!
If I had been in my mid-twenties during the early days of the internet, I would have 1000% been one of those blogger girlies—sharing my journey through soul healing travel, discovering my personal style, and, of course, all the romantic adventures that seem to define your twenties. I’ve always imagined living out my own version of Carrie Bradshaw at some point in life—haven’t we all? There’s something so captivating about being seen as effortlessly cool, guiding others through your innermost thoughts. I’ve always thought it was so badass how she could speak her mind freely, whenever she wanted, and somehow, her lessons always felt relatable, even if her experiences were completely different from mine.
Unlike Carrie, though, I didn’t always have the confidence to share my intimate thoughts online (through writing at least). Writing has always been a great love of mine, but I wasn’t sure if my words would make sense, land, or, let alone, even resonate through the eyes of strangers who could easily misconstrue my words, feelings, and unique perspective. So, I confined all my intimidating thoughts to my numerous journals over the years and to my infamous Notes app. I’d sooner share my bank statements than reveal what’s in my notes app.
If you’re new, hi! My name is Jada Jones—yep, that’s my real, out-of-the-womb, given-at-birth name. Growing up, I used to think it was basic and unoriginal, but now it feels like something straight out of a superhero movie. When I lived in LA, people would always ask if it was my real name or a stage name, which, let’s be real, definitely made me feel like a big deal. And honestly? I leaned into it. These last few years have felt like a blend of a superhero origin story manifestation and some sort of coming-of-age adventure.
I’ve always been bold and quick to act on my ideas and inspirations. I’m a twenty-something multi-creative who’s never shied away from chasing big dreams. I moved to NYC alone at 17 to audition for Broadway while working as a live-in nanny, skipped the traditional college route to dive fully into modeling and social media content creation, and even relocated to LA in the middle of a global pandemic to pursue acting. Leaping into the unknown is simply a fundamental part of who I’ve trained myself to be, and this blog represents yet another bold move—very on-brand.
I guess it’s time for a slight recap for those who are new or need a refresher: Two years ago, in the summer of 2022, I made a life-altering decision to embark on a healing journey that would change my life completely. I stopped using prescribed topical steroid medications for my eczema, fearing that my worsening symptoms were due to my body’s growing dependency on the medication. At the time, all I knew was that my body had never felt worse—it was like it was shutting down, betraying me at every move I made. I felt abandoned by the medical system and by those who were supposed to help me. It was especially heartbreaking because I was an ambitious actor just starting to make waves in Hollywood, feeling like I was finally catching momentum on a dream that would quickly be put on the back burner.
When your work is essentially your outer shell, a condition like this just hits harder, especially as a woman… after all, I’m just a girl.
Writing it out simply doesn’t even begin to capture the weight of what I felt in that moment. It felt like the entire world I had fought so hard to painstakingly build, quite literally brick by brick, was slipping through my fingers—and the cruelest part was that it wasn’t by choice. Every ounce of energy, every sleepless night, every sacrifice made to get to the “city of angels”—none of it seemed to matter anymore as it all unraveled. Everything fell apart so quickly, leading to many months of bed rest under the full-time care of my partner in a cramped, skin flake filled, overpriced AF 555 sq ft studio apartment. The angel numbers I thought were guiding me certainly didn’t feel like they were—everything moving forward felt like it was left up to chance, fate, or perhaps some ruthless God out there pulling the strings.
Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW) flipped my world upside down. What began as a somewhat empowering choice to take control of my health turned into one of the most grueling experiences of my life. I went from being on set and pursuing my dreams, to being bedridden for nearly a year and a half, retreating into my own world. Video games and smoking weed became my daily routine escape from the unbearable physical pain and emotional toll of TSW. It felt like I had lost everything—my career, my confidence, and even my sense of self.
In December 2022, we made the tough decision to leave LA and return to my hometown of Charlotte, NC. After a year of little progress and sitting in a deep bout of depression, I realized it was time to reclaim my power, embrace my right to feel healthy, and pursue peace above all else.
After a phone call from a friend who mentioned her ongoing solo healing journey in Tulum, where she immersed herself with the healing nature of the sun and sea, I booked two spontaneous one-way tickets to Mexico. One for me and one for my partner, Chris. He has been the only person to witness and experience every step of my TSW journey, embracing me with unconditional love and support throughout. It was a given that he would be coming along. I was eager to change my perspective and environment before the new year, as I felt I had hit an undeniable plateau in my healing journey. Something deep inside told me that 2024 was destined to be life-changing if I chose to embrace risk—we took our flight on December 31, 2023. This was going to be my opportunity to reconnect with the bold version of myself that existed before TSW. I couldn’t wait to meet her again.
It wasn’t until I spent time in Mexico soaking in saltwater like a healing mermaid, that I began to rediscover myself. Slowly but surely, I started to restore both my body and spirit. However, it was far from smooth sailing. Taking that leap was a bold risk in so many ways; I dipped into my small savings from tax money that I had set aside for my personal business and fully committed to the idea of healing in Mexico, uncertain if it would even work. After a month of starting to see healing success in Mexico, I suddenly experienced a drastic decline and contracted a potentially deadly infection. TSW is like this in nature, known by its back-and-forth, ups and downs, and non-linear progression. I reached a point where I feared for both my mental health and my physical well-being. Looking back, this was likely the pinnacle of TSW pain I had ever experienced, forcing me to be fully bed bound in Mexico for another long month.
A voice inside me, which some might call a "spiritual download," told me that in order to save myself, I needed to retreat to the saltwater. Dramatic, I know. But sometimes dramatic problems require equally dramatic solutions. So that’s exactly what I did to recover. The salt stung every wound, burning me in a way that made the pain feel almost numbing. Every day, I stumbled into the ocean, crying out to its vastness (trying not to look any stranger than I already did) and chanting to myself, “And then the sting becomes euphoric,” until the pain dissipated and I felt temporarily mobile again.
The ocean always brought me physical and spiritual relief. I’m not religious, but spending time in nature so intensely made me understand why people turn all their fears and worries over to the greater mass that created this planet and this universe. This was how I began to heal from my infection. I’d heard of the magic of the Caribbean Sea, but I underestimated how powerful she really was, and for that, I submitted to her. I held her hands, danced with her, and trusted her guidance as if she were my northern star.
This chapter of my life fundamentally changed me—it also transformed the art I started creating for the internet. I had no idea this chapter would be the one that caused me to go viral. I simply hit record, my hair resembling a cosplay of Jimmy Neutron... wounds visible, emotions ready to release for the world to see. All those years of being a theater kid prepared me for this moment, except I wasn’t acting at all and had no costume or makeup—just my raw skin. It was time to share my raw story—to make others feel something, to feel understood myself, and, hopefully, to inspire. From cutting my hair with kitchen shears into a somewhat decent bob—thank God for curly hair, right?—to showing strangers what an itch fit really looked like, to deciding to stay in Mexico and forgo medications, I revealed a raw, unfiltered version of myself. One that may or may not have been high for legal reasons. I accumulated hundreds of millions of views and gained over 100,000 followers in just a few weeks. The outpouring of support was something I could hardly comprehend; it was both humbling and empowering to connect with so many people who resonated with my story.
I didn’t realize the power of being tapped into my most authentic self until this year. Writing feels like I’m baring my soul. However, after spending this year openly sharing my scars, wounds, and skin for the world to see on social media, this act of writing almost feels like a calmer walk in the park. I've already exposed my most intimate struggles, allowing others to witness my healing journey in real time. Every single post I’ve made through this journey has been a release, a chance to let go of the weight I carried, and in doing so, I have found a sense of freedom that transformed my perspective and set me free.
Now, as I sit down to write, it feels less daunting. Instead of the anxiety that once accompanied the thought of revealing my vulnerable feelings, I embrace the process as a continuation of my journey—an opportunity to connect deeper, reflect, and empower others who might be walking a similar path. My mission now is to show that even when life throws unimaginable obstacles your way, it is more than possible to take those experiences and use them as a transitional period to pursue what is truly meant for you. I truly believe there was a reason why the universe took its time for me to have my moment in the spotlight. We don’t always get to choose the hard times or the challenges that define us, but we do get to choose who we become afterward.
"There are only a few moments in life that will define everything that comes after… do not fail to recognize when they arrive" (Joika)
This blog is the next chapter of Highkey Adulting. It will be a space for me to share the real, raw, unfiltered experiences I’ve had and will have—the moments that have shaped me, the lessons I’ve learned, and the bold, sometimes terrifying steps I’ve taken along the way. We’re all on this journey of ‘figuring it out’, and I hope this blog serves as a space where I can reflect, write, and maybe help you feel a little less alone in your own grand story.
So, welcome to Highkey Adulting—the blog! I'm thrilled to have you here, and I invite you to subscribe for more insights and stories coming soon. Don't forget to check out the podcast that my partner Chris and I host for more fun conversations, and follow me on my other social media handles to stay connected!
Cheers to embracing boldness and nurturing the passion to live a fulfilling life for yourself and those around you.
With love,
Jada
Love you so much 💓 💗 💛 💖 So blessed to have you in our lives! Stay inspiring and beautiful inside and out!