Ever Feel Like You’re Living on a Hamster Wheel? I Did Too.
Not long ago, I looked around at my life—mom of three, business partner, wellness coach—and realized I felt completely drained. From the outside, everything looked great. But inside, I was stuck in a loop of exhaustion, negativity, and quiet resentment. I was giving everything I had to my family, my partner, my clients… and leaving nothing for myself.
The wake-up call came in January 2024 when I had one of those “mirror moments.” I asked myself: Is this the life I want my kids to remember me living? Is this all I’m giving to myself? That moment changed everything.
Step One: Start With Gratitude
When you’re burned out, gratitude can feel like a platitude. But when I started practicing it deliberately, something powerful shifted. It didn’t change my circumstances overnight—but it changed how I saw them.
I started with what I call my Daily 3:
Three specific things I was grateful for each morning.
A running list of good moments I could revisit on hard days.
A “shift trick”—any time I felt spiraling emotions, I paused and asked, “What can I be grateful for right now?”
That simple practice rewired my mind. Through neuroplasticity, our brains form new pathways. The more I looked for the good, the more good I saw.
Reconnecting With My Family (and Myself)
As a family, we added a gratitude round to our dinner table. It was awkward at first, but it transformed our home. Our teens began sharing the little wins: good grades, teamwork moments, unexpected kindnesses. Over time, that created a shift in our energy—and in mine.
I started showing up differently. I smiled more. I laughed more. I felt present again. I wasn’t just surviving. I was re-engaging with the life I had been too tired to enjoy.
The Ripple Effect of Choosing Yourself
Choosing gratitude wasn’t just about mindset. It was about reclaiming my agency. I began making different choices—not just about how I thought, but how I moved, ate, communicated, and prioritized.
Instead of seeing my body as a burden, I started appreciating its strength. Instead of letting work stress define me, I found purpose in helping others transform. Instead of reacting, I responded.
These small shifts began to add up to big change.
You Can Start Today
Here are three things you can do now:
Start your Daily 3 gratitude list.
Create a “Hard Day List” to revisit when you’re struggling.
Try the “Shift Trick” when you’re spiraling emotionally.
Gratitude isn’t a magic fix. But it is a catalyst. It grounds you. It re-centers you. And it reminds you that even on the hardest days, there is always something good to anchor to.
If you’re in the thick of it—burned out, exhausted, unsure where to begin—start with gratitude. It’s small. It’s quiet. But it is powerful.
Because choosing gratitude was the first step in choosing myself.
And when I did that? Everything started to change.
You are worthy of the life you dream of. And it all starts with one small, brave step at a time. 💖
