Amberin’s Gratitude Story: Beyond the Job Title
Finding peace in the present moment and focusing on things to be thankful for
Back in 2018, Amberin went through a rough period. She was laid off after being at her company for almost seventeen years. She had built her daily routine and her entire social network around that job. At the time, she took her work as her identity, so losing it pushed her into complete uncertainty about the future, and she started struggling with anxiety.
To cope, she started going to therapy and attending mental health workshops. That is where she was first introduced to the art of gratitude. The attendees were told to write down three things they were thankful for. Amberin had always been a writer, so journaling was already therapeutic for her. Initially, her writing was mostly about the things troubling her, but she decided to focus entirely on a gratitude journal instead. She realized that the more you find things to be thankful for, the more your attitude changes.
Things really started to turn around for her in 2020. She reached out to a life coach during a very dark period, who told her that where her focus goes, her energy grows. Because she was stuck in a negative mindset, she was feeding that negativity. She began intentionally redirecting her thoughts toward the positive aspects of her life.
"No matter how bleak life might seem, there's always something, even the smallest thing, that we can find to be grateful for. Even just your breath." ~Amberin
She started noticing the simple things. She shares that people take their breath for granted because it is just there, but looking at someone struggling with breathing issues makes you realize how lucky you are just to wake up for another day. Around 2021, she started looking online for ways to expand her practice and came across the Gratitude app, which she used as a helpful tool along her journey. While she realized her personal preference is handwriting with pen and paper, she found the digital format to be a great way to stay consistent. She likes to begin her journal by simply giving thanks for the blessing of a new morning. It is a daily practice of gratitude that keeps her grounded in her faith.
Looking back now, she says that losing her job was actually a blessing. She was stuck in a comfort zone and wasn't truly happy, so it was exactly the nudge she needed to get out. Practicing gratitude helped her realize what is actually important. For her, health is the foundation. Taking care of her well-being allows her to truly show up and enjoy her life. She is also incredibly thankful for her family, knowing she could not have gotten through her challenges without their support. It came down to strengthening her faith and noticing the little things, like hearing the birds chirp and watching the sun rise.
"Just be grateful for every little thing that life has given us, because we have so many blessings and sometimes we take them for granted." ~Amberin
Sometimes Amberin writes down a gratitude list that goes up to a hundred things. She keeps it close by to refer to as a reminder, so she doesn't fall back into a negative hole after a rough day or week. One year, she and a couple of friends put together gratitude jars. They decorated the jars at the beginning of the year and made a commitment to write down something good every week. At the end of the year, they went back and read all of it. It all comes down to consistency.
Her key takeaway for others is to practice living in the present. She shares that the past is gone, bringing only regret, and the future is unknown. Finding things to be thankful for right now is the best way to find peace.
"Rather than worrying about something that hasn't even happened, just try to stay in the present moment. The more you stay in the present, the more peace of mind you will have." ~Amberin
Today, Amberin no longer attaches her identity to a job. She has been working off and on, but she takes time out for herself to go on vacations and take mental health breaks. Looking ahead to 2026, she has three main areas of focus. First, she is putting her heart and soul into her life coaching business, specializing in helping women with anxiety, depression, and OCD. Second, she is passionate about volunteering and getting back in touch with community organizations she belonged to before. Finally, she is working on her overall physical, mental, and emotional health. She wants to use her experience with personal challenges to help others who are struggling by guiding them to find the small things they can be grateful for.
This is Amberin's story, told beautifully by her and curated in its truest form by me to share with you.
I would love to hear your story. Write to me at [email protected] 💌
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