Being Strong

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I heard a quote that said some of us never find time to truly be happy because we are too busy trying to be strong. I felt that with my whole heart. If you asked me years ago where I would be today, I never would have pictured this life. The hardships, the tired days, the constant busyness. I used to be bubbly and outgoing. Time and life change that. Starting over again and again as a military family will do that.

What Strong Looked Like

For the longest time strong has meant to keep moving. New duty station, new city, new school, new routine. Smile, figure it out, show up for everyone.

I do it because I have to. I do it because I love my family. I also do it because I am afraid to stop and feel how hard it really is.

What Strong Looks Like Now

I am not always the first to talk anymore. But once I start, I do not stop. My anxiety still shows up and I overthink conversations, incidents, actions, dos and don’ts… ALL THE TIME. I am learning that strong can also look like pausing, breathing, and answering when I am ready. Strong can look like asking for help. Strong can look like choosing a smaller circle and a slower pace.

The Truth About Starting Over

Kids, more moves than I can count, new diagnoses, career changes. Every restart shaped me. Each season asked me to let go of an old version of myself and try again. None of it was wasted. It taught me patience. It taught me to find small anchors that keep me steady when everything shifts.

Coffee, Blogs, and Honest Talk

Today I am a mama blogger. I am medicated. I live on coffee and wine. I write about the real parts of life because it helps me make sense of them. I share reviews of local coffee shops, small routines that make our days easier, and moments that feel both messy and beautiful. It started as coffee “therapy” with my best friend. It became a space where I speak out loud so someone else can feel a little less alone.

Giving Myself Permission to Be Happy

I am practicing happiness in the middle of it all. Not later. Not when everything is perfect. Happiness right now. It looks like a quiet morning with an iced latte. It looks like a walk after dinner. A hug from my babies. It looks like celebrating one small win from the day. It looks like telling the truth about anxiety and still choosing to show up.

If You Feel This Too

If you have been strong for a long time, I see you. You are not behind. You are not failing. You are human. You are allowed to be proud of how far you have come. You are allowed to make space for joy. You are allowed to be both strong and soft at the same time.

Here is to choosing happy, even on ordinary days. Here is to the person you are becoming, one small sip and one honest step at a time.

FAQ: Being Strong

What does choosing happiness look like in daily life
Small actions add up. A slow coffee, a short walk, a five minute reset, and permission to rest can shift the day.

How do you balance anxiety with motherhood
I plan gentle routines, ask for help, use tools that work for our family, and practice honest talk with my circle.

What helped after many moves and restarts
Simple anchors like a morning ritual, community check ins, and a list of first steps for a new town make the change feel doable.

Do therapy and medication play a role
Yes. Therapy builds skills and space to process. Medication can reduce symptoms so daily life feels more steady.

What small rituals make the biggest difference
A mindful first sip, a short journal note, a tidy corner, and one tiny win named out loud.

How can I start choosing happiness today
Pick one doable habit, set a simple check in time, and celebrate progress instead of waiting for perfect.