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What does it really take to stay kind when life isn’t? We sit down with Clara, our practice administrator, to trace the winding road from a strict, love-filled childhood to teenage rebellion, and then into a young adulthood marked by the loss of both parents. The story moves through small Florida towns, dorm rooms, restaurant shifts, hospice hallways, and finally, a fresh start in Orlando—each chapter revealing how hope can be chosen, trained, and carried.

Clara opens up about splitting time between divorced parents, forging an inseparable bond with her stepsister, and making the bold decision to live with her dad at fifteen. She shares how grief arrived twice: first with her mom’s fast-moving cancer, then again during COVID as her dad declined amid masks and uncertainty. Along the way, she found refuge in people: classmates, coworkers, and friends who made Gainesville feel like a net. That community—plus a growing art practice—helped her metabolize pain without letting it harden her.

We unpack the difference between toxic positivity and sustainable hope. Clara’s toolkit is simple and repeatable: nightly Do Not Disturb to protect sleep, quiet time without screens, time outside to reset, journaling to name emotions, and steady reflection to keep perspective. She explains why feeling everything matters, how boundaries can be loving, and why choosing optimism is a daily practice rather than a mood. If you’re navigating grief, family complexity, or a season of reset, you’ll find practical ways to ground yourself while keeping your heart open.

Listen for a candid, compassionate look at resilience, mental health, and the everyday habits that support a positive mindset. If this conversation resonates, share it with a friend who needs light, subscribe for more human stories, and leave a review to help others discover the show.