What if I told you that your real superpower isn’t something flashy or dramatic — it’s the quiet, everyday way you choose to think?
Your mindset might just be the most powerful tool you have. The way you see yourself, the way you interpret your struggles, and the way you talk to yourself in difficult moments —that’s where transformation begins. In this post, I’m sharing how shifting your thoughts can shift your reality, and how even small mindset moves can bring big emotional breakthroughs.
Stuck, Heavy, Overwhelmed… Until I Chose to Shift
I can remember so many times when I let myself sit in heavy emotions, stress, anxiety, overwhelmed, and didn’t do anything to pull myself out. And yes, I get it. Sometimes life really is bigger than what we feel we can handle. But over time, and with the help of therapy, I’ve learned that staying stuck in that space for too long doesn’t actually help.
You do need to feel it. You do need time to process and let it move through you. That’s part of your healing journey. But nothing truly shifts until you choose to shift your mindset. The change begins when you decide to think differently and see things through a new lens.
Life Has Thrown Me More Than a Few Curveballs
I’ve had my share of hard seasons—ones that could have pulled me under if I let them.
A child with mental health struggles? ✔️
A parent with cancer? ✔️
A parent with Parkinson’s? ✔️
A parent with multiple strokes? ✔️
Losing a beloved pet? ✔️
Divorce? ✔️
Losing my amazing dad? ✔️
Each of these brought their own emotional battles. Sound familiar to you, too? At times, I truly felt like the hole I was in might swallow me whole. But with every experience, I was pushed, sometimes unwillingly, to shift my mindset. And that shift changed everything.
Mental Health Awareness: My Daughter’s Journey
When my daughter began her journey with mental health, there wasn’t much conversation around mental health then. The topic felt quiet, and people weren’t accustomed to discussing it so openly yet. But instead of shutting down or feeling like I wasn’t equipped to help, I chose to lean in, educate myself, and fight for her future.
Her experience opened my eyes and my heart to the realities of mental health and the stigma that still surrounds it. I became more empathetic, more aware, and more passionate about supporting others. Now, I speak out and share openly in hopes of encouraging other parents and individuals on similar paths. Mental wellness matters, and I’ve decided to be a voice for that truth!
Caring for My Parents: Strength Through Illness
Watching both of my parents face serious health battles taught me more than I could have imagined.
My mom survived multiple strokes starting at a young age. She worked hard each time to regain her strength and not let it limit what she was capable of doing. My dad fought through aggressive prostate and colon cancer, then later, Parkinson’s Disease. Despite it all, his mindset never wavered. He never gave in to self-pity. Instead, he inspired us all with his determination to live fully, even as his independence slipped away.
We could have let fear and sadness define those seasons. But as a family, we chose to fight back with hope. We decided we’d keep living life with joy because that’s exactly what my dad modeled. I shared more of his story in “Legacy of Strength: My Dad’s Inspiring Journey.” His attitude remains one of the most powerful examples of a mindset shift I’ve ever witnessed.
Losing Rudy: Finding Purpose Through Grief
When we lost our beloved dog, Rudy, it hit harder than I ever expected. He was more than a pet; he was a constant source of joy, love, and resilience.
His spirit inspired me to start this website and blog, to create something that would encourage others to rise through life’s struggles, just like Rudy always did. I wrote more about him in a post called “How To Be Like Your Dog” because, honestly, Rudy had some incredible life lessons to teach. I took his story and the loss I felt from his absence and shifted my mindset to use it as inspiration for others.
Divorce and Rediscovering Joy
Divorce was another form of loss, but one that came with unexpected growth. It forced me to reflect, dig deep, and figure out what happiness looked like on my own. There were times when I didn’t know if I could find my way out, but when I chose to change my mindset, personal growth happened in so many different ways.
That process also led me to a beautiful new chapter, marrying an amazing man and starting a new life together. But it also brought something I never expected: a resilient friendship with my former husband and a shared commitment to co-parenting our daughter with love and support. For that, I’m truly grateful. Rather than staying stuck in emotional sadness that no longer served me, I chose to move forward — and that shift brought new joy into my life.
Grieving My Dad: A New Perspective on Love and Loss
Losing my dad brought a grief deeper than I’d ever known. It was different than divorce—this time, there was no possibility of seeing him again. It was final.
But even in that depth of pain, I found something powerful. I learned to reframe my grief as a reflection of love. To miss someone so deeply means you had something beautiful, something worth grieving. Not everyone gets that.
And when I’m missing him most, I remind myself that I’ll see him again. Until then, I’m living my life in a way that honors him. His superpower was his mindset—always positive, always hopeful. That’s the kind of legacy I want to carry forward. Tell me that’s not the ultimate reason to believe your mindset is your superpower.
What’s Your Superpower?
Have you ever asked yourself, What’s my superpower?
What if it’s been with you all along—just waiting for you to tap into it?
Mel Robbins said it perfectly in an Instagram post on August 18, 2024 (watch it here):
You can choose to stay stuck in grief, sadness, stress, anxiety, overwhelm…or you can choose to shift your mindset.
Even when it feels impossible, finding the light in dark situations and searching for that silver lining can become one of the most powerful things you ever do. It doesn’t mean ignoring your emotions. It means recognizing that you have the power to choose how you respond to them.
The Power of Radical Acceptance
Of course, some things in life will always be beyond our control. And that’s where a different kind of mindset shift comes in: radical acceptance.
It’s a concept I learned through my daughter’s journey and my own, and it’s been life-changing. Never heard of it? This article, How to Embrace Radical Acceptance from Verywell Mind.com, explains it beautifully.
According to Cuncic (2024):
“Radical acceptance does not mean that you agree with what is happening or what has happened to you. Rather, it signals a chance for hope because you are accepting things as they are and not fighting against reality.”
It’s not about giving up; it’s about releasing the struggle against what you can’t change so you can focus your energy on what you can.
Pause. Breathe. Shift. Rise.
When you feel yourself caught in that familiar spiral of stress or self-doubt, pause.
Take a deep breath. Reset. Refocus.
Do the things that support your growth, whether that’s journaling, moving your body, seeking support, or simply giving yourself a moment to rest.
Because when you shift your mindset, something powerful starts to happen.
Change begins. Growth takes root.
And you RISE—stronger, clearer, and more empowered than ever!
References:
Cuncic, A., MA (2024, June 13). How to Embrace Radical Acceptance. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-radical-acceptance-5120614
Mel Robbins (@melrobbins). (2024, April 18). Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-z8-TztlkV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
