MY EVER-EVOLVING RELATIONSHIP WITH STRESS: LESSONS IN RESILIENCE AND GROWTH

Wellness advocate Zaneta Ashie shares how her relationship with stress evolved from resistance to acceptance, uncovering resilience and growth.

Over the years, my relationship with stress has gradually grown and evolved alongside me. With every new phase of life, I’ve had to readjust to the different ways stress would appear, take shape and find a place within my carefully curated little world.

Why I Once Believed Stress Was My Biggest Enemy

In the beginning, I saw stress as a sworn enemy. I viewed it as something to resist, eliminate, and avoid at all costs. My idea of a flourishing life was one completely free from disturbance, hardship, or pressure. But as life would have it, my days were not devoid of stress. Instead, I found myself in a constant, exhausting battle with this very unwelcome visitor.

A Shift in Perspective

Over time, that battle began to shape self-deprecating beliefs. I blamed myself for experiencing stress, as if it were a personal flaw, and I held a deep disdain for the ways I sometimes crumbled under its weight. In my desperation, I longed for a way to banish stress forever, so that I could live in a bubble of blissful perfection. Looking back now, I can’t help but laugh a little at that version of me. Needless to say, my perspective has evolved. One of the most profound transformations has come from seeing life and its changing scenes, like a moving pendulum. Like a well-functioning pendulum, life swings back and forth between joy and challenge, peace and tension. Stress, I’ve learned, is not just disruption; it is a reminder of motion, growth, and change on the horizon. It has become my signal that life is alive and moving, that I am being stretched in ways that lead to growth. I no longer see stress as something to fight against, but rather as something to work with.

Learning to Work with Stress

I may not welcome it, but I accept it. Stress demands that I stay intentional, building skills to cope, grounding myself in the present, and focusing on what is within my control. Through stress, I’ve discovered my own resilience. I’ve learned that I can hold on through the storms and face challenges head-on. I’ve found the power of grounding practices, journaling, and cultivating routines that keep me steady. I also created my first set of affirmation cards to help people surround themselves with positivity and daily encouragement. Stress has been a teacher, exposing my strength, my ability to adapt, and my capacity to grow through discomfort.

Embracing the Journey

Today, I am an advocate for expecting stress rather than fearing it. I see it as a recurring trigger for transformation, a sign that something is shifting. I believe in the power of coping mechanisms, in holding on through the storms, and in trusting that the pendulum will eventually swing back toward calmer, brighter days. Most of all, I remind myself that it’s a journey; one that looks different for everyone. And in that truth, I find comfort, grace, and hope.