Stress is inevitable—but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace, stress is at an all-time high globally. And while most stress management tips focus on what to eliminate (too many meetings, toxic environments, late nights), what if the real solution is about what to amplify?

A HelloStrengths Meetup Reflection at Brickmakers Café, Lorton VA On July 19, HelloStrengths hosted a NOVA CliftonStrengths Meetup at Brickmakers Café in Lorton—a hidden gem of a café tucked inside a beautiful park where you can eat well, stay active, and build real connection.

You don’t need a special occasion to tell someone they helped you become who you are. Start the conversation. Give them a piece of your heart. Show them the strengths they helped plant, water, and grow.

That day at Brickmakers Café reminded me that showing up is never a waste of time. Even without an audience, I walked away more grounded, more grateful, and more committed to this work.

Motherhood is not for the faint of heart.
Neither is military life, caregiving, or being the one everyone else leans on.

Some days, I’m fueled by inspiration.
Other days, just coffee.
But every day—I’m powered by my strengths.

You are the strength behind the support.

You show up, often quietly, often without asking for recognition. You’re the one people count on. The one who makes it all “just work.” And yet… how often do you stop to consider what makes you work?

In 2014, I had a team lead who didn’t just manage our work—she invested in our growth. She was working toward her CliftonStrengths coaching certification at the time, and I’ll always be grateful that she chose to share that journey with me.