While doing some light gardening one afternoon, I noticed a little plant growing right out of a split in the drain. It stopped me in my tracks. How could something so delicate push through something so hard? It made me pause-and oddly enough, it gave me hope. If that tiny plant could thrive in such a tough spot, maybe I could too.
Another moment that surprisingly lifted my mood came from a totally different situation. I was feeling frustrated because I couldn’t find a proper iron to smooth out my new skirt. The creases were driving me crazy! But instead of letting the stress win, I had a lightbulb moment—| grabbed my hair straightener and used it as a makeshift iron. It actually worked! I ended up wearing the skirt out, feeling happy and even a little proud of my mini victory.
That small, creative fix turned my mood around.
It made me realise how much stress we create from tiny inconveniences. Instead of spiralling, I chose to find a creative fix – and that small shift helped me feel more in control and even joyful.
From that moment, I made a promise to myself: I would stop feeding the fear and start building hope — no matter how small the steps.
My ways of destressing aren’t glamorous. They’re simple, but they work for me:
- I bake. There’s something about mixing flour, sugar, and butter that feels like magic, a reminder that sweet things can be created even from messy beginnings.
- I draw — nothing professional, just lines and colors that let my mind wander freely.
- I listen to fast, upbeat songs that drown out the noise of doubt.
- I do jigsaw puzzles, piece by piece, teaching myself that even when life feels scattered, with enough patience, the bigger picture will come together.
And one more thing: I move.
Exercise isn’t just about staying fit anymore; it’s my moving meditation. Every drop of sweat feels like I’m wringing the stress out of my body. Some days it’s a gentle stretch, other days it’s a more intense workout — but every day, it’s a small victory.
Stress didn’t disappear overnight. But something more powerful happened:
I grew stronger than my stress.
Today, I’m still on this journey – building a lifestyle rooted in resilience, positivity, and action.
If you’re reading this and feeling overwhelmed by your own battles, hear me clearly:
You have the power to rise, too.
It starts small.
It starts messy
But it starts.
And from there, everything changes.
This is just the first step. Let’s keep going – together.
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