Aschlea's Story - Grateful since childhood

I was young when I learned how to be grateful for what I have in life, not just things, but people as well. I got this app only a few months ago, and I love it - from the affirmations to the daily gratitude and journal entries, I fell in love with the app.

For me, I like going back to memories and things that happened in my life and reflect on them as time goes by. But back to my story - I'll start at the beginning, where it all started for me.

I was only 8 years old when the hard journey of my life started. My parents were both wealthy when they were younger, and when they had my brother and sister.

But from 2012, our lives went from having the biggest house, the coolest cars, and the most expensive clothes, to the smallest house, the worst car, and the oldest clothing. And you may ask why?

Well, back in 2012, my parents lost everything we had because their boss stole the money, and we got robbed. It was a horrible year for all of us, but we survived because I am writing this today.

My story doesn't just have a good start and then a bad few years and now good again. It is about having it all and losing it all, coming back from it, surviving, and still having a positive mindset and goals.

Reading affirmations and reflecting on the past and what I have learned up to this day. So let me get back into my story and tell you all.

When we lost everything in 2012, we moved around a lot - this year, we have moved 10 times in 12 years, all bad, not good, but every time, it was for the better, moving from the houses we lived in.

Let's skip a few years until 2016 when I turned 12 years old and was in grade 6. I got my first phone and installed affirmations and positive quotes. Since then, apps like these have spoken to me a lot, but it was not this app, but apps like this one.

My life has been a roller coaster of emotions all over, trauma left and right, and I never have given up on anything or anyone. I believe change is good - not always what you want, but change is good.

I lost all my friends last year when I finished school - all fake, not one has messaged me to this day. But it is ok; change is good. Reflecting on things like this helps you understand more about life and people altogether. This app has helped me - not that I'm just saying this - it really has helped me.

It asked me a question two days ago in 2022: "Who was there for you no matter what?" And you know what? I didn't have an answer because people are not always good.

And you must remember that who you surround yourself with is who you are as a person, even if you don't know that. But I have an answer to that question now, and my answer stays simple as this: me. I was there for me.

My apps like these were there for me. I had this app to write to, talk to when no one was listening. I didn't expect to write and tell bits and pieces of my life to this app, but sometimes you should never plan your life and just let it happen.

Just like how I found this app and realized stressing and having anxiety isn't going to change the future.

There's this quote I saw that said, "No amount of anxiety can change the future, and no amount of guilt can change the past."

So I'm grateful, not just for this app, but for putting myself out there, not giving up even when times are dark and lonely.