Before we get into our tips for reducing stress, let’s take some time to look at stress from a different perspective. We often think of stress as something that happens to us — something external and uncontrollable. But the truth is, stress doesn’t come from the situation itself — it comes from how we interpret and respond to that situation.
Here’s a simple example:
I live in Los Angeles. If you know anything about L.A., you know the traffic is legendary. Every weekday, from 7–10 AM and 4–7 PM, you’re bound to get stuck. It doesn’t matter how nice your car is, how much money you make, or how important your destination is — if you hit the road at that time, you’re going to be in traffic.
So why get stressed about it? It’s not personal. It’s not changeable.
What is within your control is your response.
Do you yell at the steering wheel? Or…
Do you call a friend who’s also in traffic?
Do you turn on an inspiring audiobook or your favorite playlist?
Maybe you even use that time to practice deep breathing or gratitude.
The key is: You get to choose.
And when you start making those small, intentional choices for your own mental well-being — that’s empowerment.
That’s confidence.
Now let’s look at another scenario — one that almost every mom can relate to:
Let’s say your toddler throws a full-blown tantrum in the middle of the grocery store.
You feel every eye on you.
Your child is loud, melting down, and you feel your blood pressure rising.
Here’s where the mindset shift matters:
You can’t control the tantrum.
You can control your response.
You can choose to breathe deeply.
You can remind yourself that toddlers aren’t logical — they’re learning.
You can choose to smile at those watching and stay calm, modeling emotional regulation for your child.
You can even plan ahead for situations like this — bring a toy or a small snack to redirect their focus.
That decision — to respond with grace instead of panic — builds your resilience.
And when you begin to trust yourself to make more of those strong, loving, emotionally stable choices…
You see change.
You feel it.
You embody it.
And that’s beautiful.
So the next time you feel stress rising, ask yourself:
“What can I do in this moment to support my peace?”
Start there.
Make one choice.
Then another.
Then another.
You don’t need to fix everything overnight.
But you can begin to take control — not of the world around you, but of how you move through it.
That’s confidence. That’s resilience. That’s beautiful.
Let us know what you think in the comments. Share this with someone you think can benefit. Have a great day!
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