Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackie Kelley.
Hi Jackie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My husband and I got married in 2014 at the ages of 21 and 23, and we were absolutely clueless about how hard marriage actually was. Through a whole lot of trial and error, we began creating these “marriage rules.” They were essentially shorthand that the two of us could lean on when communication started to go off the rails — things like “Voted Off the Island,” “No Smack Talk,” and “Use Your Words.”
For a long time, the rules we developed stayed between the two of us. Then, in 2024, I started posting about them on my Instagram account. To my shock, they seemed to strike a chord with a whole lot of people, and within a few months, I landed a book deal to publish our rules. Right now, I’m ramping up to release my book on October 6, 2026.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It goes without saying that my marriage has not always been easy. But you can’t learn if you never make mistakes, and I strongly feel that my mistakes are a big part of my current success.
My husband and I are both different flavors of neurodivergent, which has played a huge role in our communication struggles. Where my brain and emotions move 100 mph, his move much more slowly and intentionally. Where I thrive on impulsive change and color, he takes his time to think things through. Where I process my thoughts outwardly, he processes his inwardly.
Learning to understand and accept those differences was a major part of finessing our communication.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
First and foremost, I’m a mom and a wife. Next, a content creator — and now, surprisingly, an author, which was not the plot twist I was expecting for my 30s. I’ve always had a lot of life advice to give and a lot of experiences to share, but this writing thing is definitely new to me.
What I’m most proud of is that I get to share my mistakes with the world through humor because it gives others permission to own their mistakes and grow through them. I think some marriage experts shy away from sharing their own struggles, but I believe the world needs more honesty.
This marriage book is different from others in that it isn’t written by a professional. It’s written by a normal gal. It’s part memoir, part advice column, and part comic.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
All of this feels like luck. My success on social media, my book deal, all of it. It all feels like chance, and I am so grateful for it. The team of people who had the vision to bring this book to life feels like the best luck in the world. And having a spouse who has supported me in airing all of our past failures alongside silly comics has also been a huge win.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stayathomejackie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stayathomejackie/
Image Credits
Hannah Arriaga
