One of the toughest moments of Nahomi’s life happened when she was eleven years old. She lost her mother to suicide. Growing up, her mother had suffered from various mental illnesses, and Nahomi was always very attached and emotionally in tune with her feelings. Everything was changing so fast, and her daily life felt constantly unstable. Having witnessed her mother’s previous struggles and attempts, Nahomi always carried a deep understanding of what she was going through. After losing her, Nahomi completely dissociated from the reality of it all. She realized later how quickly time passed and how she did not really take the time to process things. She started escaping reality as a way to cope, spending most of her younger years constantly daydreaming. She found it hard to focus on the things in her life. Her grades were not the best, and she rarely did anything after school, usually just heading straight home. She spent years of her life not really thinking about much at all. She felt like a complete failure and just accepted it, believing she did not deserve good things.
Eventually, Nahomi realized that she had actually wired her brain to constantly think negatively. Every thought she had was either negative or a limiting belief. Because she was hesitant to open up, she missed a lot of chances to grow. Anytime an opportunity came up, she would back away, thinking it just wasn’t for her and that she would fail. As she got older, her coping mechanisms changed, and her daydreaming turned into mindlessly scrolling on her phone. It became so hard to stay in the present that her brain felt completely foggy, making it difficult to even have conversations with people.
“I realized that I needed to start focusing on the little things and being thankful for my story because I have something to tell.”
~ Nahomi
Things began to change when she started college in the fall of 2024. Being on her own, she realized she finally had control over her routine and her life. If she wanted to be happy, she had control over her thoughts. Even though she still struggled, it was a wake-up call to rewire her brain. She intentionally started to notice things she previously thought were silly to be thankful for. Writing a reflection allowed her to see what she actually needed to focus on, like writing a thank-you note to herself. She had downloaded the Gratitude app two years prior but never really used it. During a particularly dark time, she used the app for journaling to help with her gratitude practice.
She started implementing small habits, like taking a few deep breaths and putting her hands over her belly to think of a happy memory whenever she felt sad. She also practiced watching her thoughts and changing her mindset. Instead of saying she did not want to do something, she told herself she gets to do it. When she felt anxious before a college presentation, she reminded herself that sharing her project was an opportunity, not an obligation. That subtle reminder made her feel physically lighter and more empowered to try her best. She learned to stay present and simply listen to the birds chirping in the morning. Those little moments grounded her back to center.
“The past is the past. The present is the only thing that I have guaranteed, so I try to have that mindset of I get to do this, I get to be alive.”
~ Nahomi
By sticking to these habits, Nahomi also started to realize that the people around her were not against her. For a long time, she had distanced herself from the two mother figures in her life, her grandmother and her aunt, because she felt she did not deserve anything. That negative mindset almost pushed them away completely. She learned that sometimes you might not understand people’s actions, but they do want the best for you and are trying their best. Opening her mind allowed her to rebuild those connections and recognize that if it were not for those people, she would not be here today.
Now, she reminds herself and others to trust themselves. She acknowledges how hard it can be to scroll on social media and compare yourself to everyone else, wondering why you have not achieved what they have. But she learned that no one else has her exact story. Today, she is in her junior year of college, focused on building her resume and applying for internships. She is preparing to study abroad in Italy next semester, excited to be on her own in a different country and learn more about herself.
“There is only one you in this world with your story and your perspective, so it is important to trust yourself and be grateful for the little moments.”
~ Nahomi
Looking ahead, Nahomi plans to attend grad school to become a psychologist. Her biggest inspiration is her mother. Having grown up with a mother who struggled with mental health issues, and having faced her own struggles, she wants to help people going through similar situations. She recognizes that she is still on her transformation journey, but she is choosing to focus on the good. By writing things down and staying mindful, she is choosing to appreciate the people who helped her and embrace every opportunity life has to offer.
This is Nahomi’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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