Joey’s Story - Becoming a Mother

During a period of immense challenge, practicing gratitude became an anchor that helped me maintain resilience and perspective.

It all began when I was hit with postpartum anxiety. It was the fall of 2020 and life as I knew it was upended - the world had shut down because of the pandemic, the team I had spent 3.5 years building was laid off, my husband and I were parents for the first time, and none of our family could be there with us because of COVID.

The pandemic added another layer of isolation and fear, and suddenly, my world of managing teams and navigating high-pressure situations shifted to sleepless nights, breastfeeding struggles, and a constant feeling of being out of control. It was a stark contrast from my results-driven, high achieving corporate persona. Anxiety consumed me, and I didn’t even realize it - I felt I had lost my identity and quickly found myself immobilized by worry and uncertainty about the future.

After a terrifying breaking point, I sought therapy for the first time and was introduced to the concept of a gratitude practice, albeit skeptically. I thought it might just be another form of toxic positivity, forcing myself to see the bright side of things. But as I delved deeper into the practice, I realized it was about shifting my focus to the present moment and appreciating the small joys amidst the chaos: a good feeding session, a walk outside by myself, facetime calls with family from the other side of the world.

These baby steps (pun intended) began to chip away at the darkness. Gratitude brought into sharp focus the importance of connection and community for me. I realized how much I craved having a “village,” especially during such a transformative period in my life. I made a conscious effort to reach out and connect with others, even if just once a week. It was a small gesture, but it made all the difference in reminding me that I wasn't alone in my struggles.

Through this journey, I rediscovered parts of myself that had been buried under the weight of anxiety and uncertainty. Though I am still a work in progress, it has also given me a newfound motivation to bring this message out into the world through Gratitude Plus. In a world still grappling with the aftermath of the pandemic, we need tools like this to bring us closer together, to foster connection and resilience in the face of adversity. Gratitude isn't just a practice; it's a mechanism for healing and growth, and I've experienced its transformative power firsthand.

Do you have stories or insights to share? We'd love to hear them! Email us at community@gratitudeplusapp.com.

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20 Ways to Celebrate Mother Figures

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20 Ways to Shift From "I Have to" to "I Get to" Mindset