Chisengo’s story is one of overcoming anxiety and fear that started in her childhood. She was born into a family of five. Her eldest step-sister had never lived with her, and while her father was always there, they did not have a close relationship. As her mother was often away traveling, her older sister stepped in and became her everything. She bathed her, dressed her, fed her, and made her laugh.
In 2014, her sister passed away from sickle cell anemia. This left Chisengo completely devastated because her sister had been the pillar of her life and the person she loved most. It felt like her whole world had collapsed. At the burial, she remembers she never cried, but she knew she had lost a loved one. Right there, she made a promise to her sister that she was going to become a medical doctor. That promise became her driving force. She decided she wanted to specialize in hematology to save other people suffering from sickle cell anemia.
Chisengo immediately turned into an introvert following her loss. With that came shyness, fear, a feeling of solitude, anxiety, and a strong dislike for attention. It turned her into a quiet student who liked reading and writing. While reading and writing were good, her fear of attention held her back. She faced many challenges during high school where she could not believe in herself. She had a lot of doubts and let other people determine who she was. She would always shiver her way to the front of the room even when getting awards.
One day, her Civic Education teacher called her up to the stage in front of the class and praised her for having the highest grades. She started shivering at that moment. Later, after coming down from the stage, she asked herself a serious question: how could she become the famous doctor she wanted to be if she was always shivering, afraid, scared, and shy? With that thought, she realized she had to change.
She decided right then that she owed it to herself to change. Driven by this new determination, she went home searching for something to help her on this journey. She found the Gratitude app, and as she started journaling, pouring her thoughts out helped her finally understand herself better. She began using the gratitude journal around February 2025 and continues doing it today. It was her own sheer willpower and her love for the daily practice of writing that truly fueled her growth. Day by day, as she kept showing up for herself, she noticed a real difference. She started to genuinely appreciate who she was, to love herself, and to finally put her own growth first.
“I started learning more about who I am, trusting more, and putting myself out there. Stepping out of my comfort zone has helped me believe in myself, trust my path, connect better with others, and stop caring about what other people think.”
~Chisengo
She pushed herself to step out of her comfort zone. She participated in the Biology Olympiad, where she managed to win at the sector level. She also found a teaching job at a tuition center as a way to keep herself busy and build her public speaking skills.
“I am now more caring after practicing gratitude. By journaling my thoughts, I built the inner confidence I needed, and I can now speak in front of a big crowd. I am more friendly, more social, more kind.”
~Chisengo
Now, in 2026, she has finished high school. She says she now feels like the new Chisengo. She is more proud, independent, and determined to get the grades she desires. Next year, her life starts at university, where she is going to study medicine. She still plans to specialize in hematology, work with sickle cell patients, and if possible, get a PhD. She also wants to pursue writing as a side job because she loves it so much. She is determined and never going back to how she used to be.
She encourages others to work hard, have gratitude for themselves, achieve their dreams, and be the best person they can be. Her advice is to just be yourself, do what you want to do, and not be judged by what other people say. We only have one life to live, and she believes it is better to live it according to what you want to.
“The small things matter. They are what make up our memories. Doing the smallest things and loving the smallest things makes you appreciate everything more, and it makes you appreciate yourself.”
~Chisengo
This is Chisengo’s story, told beautifully by her and curated in its truest form by me to share with you.
I would love to hear your story.
Write to me at preeti@gratefulness.me💌
Every story is a reminder that a grateful heart is a magnet for miracles.
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