Let’s be real—have you ever looked around and thought, “Is this seriously my life?”
You’re doing all the things: showing up for your kids, your partner, your clients… but deep down, you feel invisible in your own life. You’re not lazy. You’re just exhausted. And not the kind of tired a nap can fix.
That was me.
At 52, I found myself stuck in a cycle of go-go-go that never gave back. I was a mom, a business partner, and the behind-the-scenes glue holding everything together. But somewhere along the way, I forgot to hold myself together.
I’d look in the mirror and barely recognize the woman staring back. I wasn’t broken—I was just lost in a life that was happening to me instead of through me.
The Wake-Up Call
In January 2024, something shifted. It wasn’t dramatic. I didn’t quit my job or go on some epic retreat. It was one small, subtle realization:
Even though I thought I wasn’t choosing this life, by not making different choices… I was choosing it every single day.
That was the moment I chose myself.
And oddly enough, the door that cracked open first wasn’t a new diet or workout plan—it was gratitude.
Why Gratitude Changed Everything
I used to think gratitude was fluffy. Like, really? I’m supposed to be thankful for a sink full of dishes and a to-do list that never ends?
But I had already tried carrying the weight of frustration and burnout—and that clearly wasn’t working. So I decided to try something different.
And here’s what happened:
1. Gratitude changed how I saw my life.
When I started naming what was good—even tiny things—it was like flipping on a light switch in a dark room. I stopped waiting for life to feel better and started noticing what was already okay.
“Gratitude doesn’t bulldoze the house and rebuild it—it turns the lights on so you can see the beauty that’s already there.”
2. Gratitude built momentum.
I didn’t suddenly feel motivated to work out. I didn’t wake up wanting to repair broken boundaries. I just started to appreciate that my body kept showing up for me, even when I didn’t show up for it. And that shifted everything.
3. Gratitude became a daily practice—not a feeling.
On hard days, I didn’t feel grateful. But I chose to practice it anyway. Over time, that consistency rewired how I thought… and how I lived.
How You Can Start Today: My Simple Gratitude Practice
If you’re feeling stuck, here’s exactly what I did—and still do—to stay grounded and grateful:
✅ The Daily 3:
Every morning, I write three specific things I’m grateful for. Not just “my family,” but something like, “The way my daughter squeezed my hand before school.”
✅ The ‘Hard Days’ List:
I keep a running list of good things in my phone to reread when I feel low. It’s like my personal highlight reel for when my brain forgets how far I’ve come.
✅ The Quick Shift Trick:
When I catch myself spiraling, I pause and ask, “What’s one tiny thing I can be grateful for right now?” Even if it’s just “this warm cup of coffee,” that moment breaks the cycle.
Journaling Prompt (from the show):
✍️ Where in your life are you waiting for something external to make you happy? And what’s one small thing you could start appreciating today that you’ve been overlooking?
Final Word: You’re Not Too Late
You don’t need a full life overhaul to feel better. You just need to take one small step—toward yourself.
And if you’re here reading this, that step has already begun. You’re showing up. You’re aware. And that’s powerful.
Next week on the podcast, I’ll share how gratitude helped me rediscover purpose—and how it can do the same for you.
Until then, remember this:
You are worthy of the life you dream of. And it starts with the small choices you make today.
