Gratitude in the Toughest Times - Claudia Noriega-Bernstein

🎙️ Welcome to Don’t Shrink to Fit – the winner of the 2024 Women in Podcasting Award in the Coaching category!Hi friends, and Happy Thanksgiving.Today, I want to talk about gratitude, not the kind that’s easy to find when everything is going well, but the kind you dig for when it feels like your world is crumbling.The past two years have been some of the most challenging of my life, and, honestly, gratitude often felt out of reach. But as I sit with everything I’ve experienced, I’ve come to see that this journey has been about more than just healing, it’s been about rediscovery, about letting go of who I thought I had to be, and finally stepping into who I truly am.For years, I ran from my emotions. I stored them away, locked in the trunk of a car that I refused to open. I told myself I could figure it out, that I was okay. But deep down, I wasn’t. And in the last two years, I made a different choice. I stopped pretending. I stopped running. I started seeking, seeking answers in my ancestors, in the wisdom they left behind, in the lessons I was too busy to see.I grieved the roles I thought were mine to play; the fixer, the caretaker, the person who had to hold it all together. For so long, I thought it was my job to make others happy, to carry their burdens. But the truth is, it never was. That was a role I adopted out of a need to feel useful, to feel worthy.And let me tell you, grieving that part of myself wasn’t easy. It hurt...physically, emotionally, somatically. My body bore the weight of it all as I processed years of stored pain. It made me sick at times, but it also made me whole.For the first time, I began to truly see the people in my life. I saw them for who they were, not who I hoped they’d be. And I began to release the weight of responsibilities that were never mine to carry.Even my vision for my career changed. What I thought was my purpose was only part of the story. I realized that I had to let those long-buried emotions out of the trunk and let them sit beside me. And when I did, my path shifted.Here’s the thing about gratitude: it doesn’t come easy when you’re hurting. It’s hard to see the light when you feel broken and disconnected. But what I’ve learned is that even in the hardest moments, gratitude isn’t about ignoring the pain—it’s about honoring it. It’s about seeing the lessons in the struggle and trusting that it’s all part of your journey.This past year, I’ve come to understand that life is like that final stage of birth. The part where the pain feels unbearable, but you hear those words: “Push. Breathe. You’re almost there.” And in the pushing, in the breathing, in the breaking, something new is born.I’ve spent so much of my life blaming circumstances, betrayals, and heartbreak for my pain. But these last two years, I took the longer road. I chose to look inward, to sit with the grief, to ask, “What is life trying to teach me?” And in the midst of that grieving—grieving the oneness I thought I needed, the identity I thought I had to hold—I began to understand gratitude in a way I never had before.Gratitude isn’t just about the obvious joys. It’s about showing up for the hard truths. It’s about embracing life as the bridge between who we are and who we’re meant to become.Yes, there have been setbacks; health challenges, heartbreaks... but I’m not in denial anymore. I’m listening to what my body and soul are teaching me. I’m learning what to let go of, what to hold close, and how to live fully, openly, and joyfully.Because this life? It’s all we get. And I’m not going to waste another moment pretending I’m anything less than enough.This Thanksgiving, I’m holding my six-year-old self close, reminding her—and reminding myself, that I am worthy, that I am whole, and that I am here to fulfill a purpose.I’m honoring my ancestors by embracing their lessons. I’m honoOverwhelmed? Frustrated? Tired of the BS? You are not alone. I’ve been there, and I’ve helped so many women just like you get out of the funk and start living the life they deserve.Book your call now—don’t wait. You are meant for more. And while you’re at it, grab my book Brighter Days on Amazon. You’ll love it.Learn about my freebies and membership below!Every week, I expand on the podcast topic with practical tools, insights, and tips to help you heal, grow, and stay aligned with your inner abundance. It’s like a little love note in your inbox—just for you. if you want to receive it sign in to mailing list!  Ready to Join? Dm me or email me [email protected] - You can also connect with me on instagram @Claudia_Noriega_Bersntein or visit my website at ClaudiaNoriegaBernstein.com, you will learn about my 1:1 coaching, retreat and training. If you liked this episode please leave me a comment, share it, subscribe and give me a good review. Thank you! https://bit.ly/SignUpformyNewsletterGet it now!! News: Get on the waiting list for my Inner Radiance Collective!A sacred space for women ready to step into their power, purpose, and abundance. Launching May 2025Whether you're a busy mom who’s lost herself in the daily grind, craving more balance, joy, and meaning—or you're ready to break free from burnout and finally put y...