Being honest, today was really hard to find something to be grateful for. Not because I’m unaware of how beautiful my life is, but because it’s been a rough week… Actually, the first half of the year has been tough. And to think that back in January, I promised myself that 2025 would be my year of mental peace. “No more stress, I’m going to take things slow,” I said. But it felt like the universe heard that as: “Send me more stress.”
I guess that’s how it works. That’s how we learn, through constant challenges.
Since the pandemic, I’ve realized that handling stress isn’t exactly my strength. It’s gotten harder and harder, and now my body reacts to it: sometimes with hives, other times with muscle pain… I’ve even gotten to experience panic attacks.
Pero algo sí ha cambiado en mi, gracias a mi búsqueda de paz mental, estoy empezando a ver el estrés con otros ojos, tratando una nueva versión de mí que intenta no ignorarlo si no por el contrario aceptarlo, abrazarlo.
I’m learning to give myself permission to breathe, to take breaks, to soften the pace of my days.
To enjoy the simple moments without guilt, like sitting on my patio with a cup of coffee, listening to the sound of cars going by. Those simple, everyday moments of peace have become my refuge.
It might seem strange to say “I’m grateful for stress.” We usually avoid it, label it as something negative. And yes, of course it’s exhausting, overwhelming, mind-clouding.
But today, on this Gratitude Wednesday, I want to flip the narrative a little.
Today, I choose to thank it.
Because stress, as uncomfortable as it is, reminds me of what truly matters. If I’m stressed, it’s because I care deeply about being a mom, a wife, a professional, a woman. Because I want to do things well. Because I want to show up for everyone… even if it drains me.
Sometimes, in the rush of everything, stress robs me of the present moment. I realize later that I didn’t enjoy it fully because I wasn’t really there. But realizing this is part of growth too, learning to pause, to listen to the signs, to take a breath, to set the work aside and make arepas with my kids, to stop trying to do a thousand things at once.
Stress has taught me to ask for help. To let go of perfectionism. To say no. To focus on what adds value and release what doesn't. To return to the basics. To find other paths.
And yes, I don’t always apply these lessons. I forget them in the moment. But stress also reminds me that after the storm, calm always follows. That nothing gets solved by worrying, but by taking action.
So today, I say thank you.
Thank you, stress, for showing me my limits, for helping me grow.
Thank you for pushing me back to myself.
Thank you for reminding me what really matters.
I will keep working on embracing it, on finding my moments, and rewriting the story. There’s still half a year left to keep learning from stress. And even if I don’t find the perfect peace I promised myself in January, I know I can build small moments of calm every single day.
There is always something to be grateful for.
Grateful to have you here, heart to heart.
Melli
