By. Sr. Eddie Kajuna,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
For a long time, Angela (not real name) felt as if she was drowning under the weight of life’s pressures. Every day was a battle between family obligations, work responsibilities and personal well-being. She tried to keep everything together, but inside, she was exhausted and overwhelmed. Anxiety and despair became her silent companions, whispering doubts that she was failing the very people who depended on her.
The breaking point came when she could no longer pretend that everything was fine. She withdrew from loved ones, became easily irritated over minor issues, and felt completely disconnected. Work suffered. Sleep became elusive. A lingering sense of disgust at herself settled in. That’s when she made a courageous decision to seek help from a religious sister who was also a counselor.
At first, she was hesitant, uncertain whether opening up was the right choice. But desperation pushed her forward. What she found was beyond her expectations—compassion, understanding, and a safe space where she could finally breathe.
“For the first time in a long time, I could talk about my struggles without fear of judgment,” she recalls. Her counselor helped her realize that she was carrying more than she could handle. She was drowning not because she was weak, but because she had never learned how to set boundaries, prioritize herself, and acknowledge her own needs.
Through therapy, Angela embarked on a journey of self-awareness. She learned to accept her limitations, recognize her strengths, and tap into resources she never realized she had. Among the many lessons, one stood out—mindfulness; learning how to be present in the moment which helped to calm the endless noise in her mind and gave her clarity she had long lost.
Session by session, she began to feel lighter. She reconnected with family and friends, regained her energy, and found joy in life again. Most importantly, she learned that self-care was not selfish but necessary.
Looking back, Angela is grateful for the decision she made to seek help. “It wasn’t easy, but it was the best thing I could have done for myself and my family,” she says. “Healing is possible, no matter how lost you feel. All it takes is the courage to take that first step.”
Thanks to the Religious Sisters Counselors Network Initiative (AAC:SS), Angela is not just surviving—she is thriving. And now, she encourages others: if life feels too heavy, don’t carry it alone. Help is there, waiting for you to reach out.
