Lately, I've been overwhelmed with gratitude for the life I’m fortunate to live. Sometimes it’s the small things—like a quiet stroll to clear my mind, or the luxury of hopping into a workout class that makes me feel strong and rejuvenated. Other times, it’s the big things—taking trips, exploring new places, savoring the freedom to shape my own life. When I think about my life today, I often find myself thinking about the lives of my ancestors, especially the women in my family who lived a hundred (+) years ago.
Back then, my great-grandmothers had lives that look entirely different from mine. They spent much of their prime years pregnant, raising large families, and keeping households together without the conveniences I now take for granted. There was no “me time” or the concept of self-care like we talk about today. They couldn’t just ask someone to watch their 10+ kids so they could take a workout class, grab dinner with a friend, or even just catch a breath on their own. Their days were filled with chores that we now zip through with technology—hand-washing laundry, cooking over a fire or wood stove, and all the responsibilities of raising children in a world that expected them to do it all without help.
These comparisons don’t come from a place of judgment or complaint but from a deep respect for the lives they led and a profound gratitude for my own. They remind me that the little comforts and freedoms I sometimes take for granted are gifts they would have dreamed of. And this doesn’t make me feel that my way is “better”—it’s just so different. It makes me appreciate how privileged I am to live in a time where I can make choices about my life, my time, and my body. I have the chance to invest in myself in ways my great-grandmothers couldn’t imagine, not because they lacked willpower, but because their world had a different set of demands and expectations.
Today, if I want to spend a little extra time on myself, I have that freedom. If I want to focus on my health, cultivate my friendships, or even take a spontaneous trip, I have the privilege to do so. And each time I do, I feel that much more grateful for the freedoms I have—the ones that allow me to live my life in a way that feels balanced, fulfilling, and true to myself.
It actually makes me really emotional to think about it. When I think about their sacrifices and all they endured, I realize how much they gave up so future generations, like me, could experience a fuller, freer life.
So, as I enjoy a quiet walk, a warm meal, or a workout class, I carry their strength and resilience with me, thankful for the life I live and the paths they paved to make it possible.
with love AND SO MUCH GRATITUDE,
ALEJANDRA <3