Clare Gabrielle

Mindset

What Changed When I Stopped Living on “Hard-Mode”

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Clare Gabrielle

For years, I lived my life on what I can only describe as “hard mode.” Life felt overwhelming—almost as though the universe was conspiring against me. And on paper, I had every right to feel that way: chronic illness, panic attacks from PTSD, the weight of unresolved childhood trauma, and an unhealthy relationship that drained me.

But here’s the truth: no matter how valid my reasons for suffering were, they weren't helping me. In fact, they were keeping me stuck.

It wasn't until I decided to stop seeing myself as a victim that everything started to change. I made a choice. I chose to stop being the person who felt constantly at war with life. I chose to become someone else. Someone who had power over her circumstances, someone who didn’t let life happen to her, but for her.

It wasn't until I decided to stop seeing myself as a victim that everything started to change. I made a choice. I chose to stop being the person who felt constantly at war with life. I chose to become someone else. Someone who had power over her circumstances, someone who didn’t let life happen to her, but for her.

The First Step: Choosing a New Version of Myself

Before anything changed—before I made any physical changes to my routine or habits—I had to decide that I was a different person. I started acting like this new version of me, even before she fully existed. I stepped into her life and took on her mindset. Over time, this process repeated itself. I became Clare 2.0, then 3.0, and eventually 4.0. Each time I evolved, I thought I was creating a new version of myself, but the truth is, all I was really doing was letting go. I wasn’t forcing a new life into existence—I was simply stopping myself from resisting it.

Letting Go of the Struggle

One of the biggest changes came in how I handled my finances. For years, I micromanaged my checking account, setting aside money in multiple "just in case" funds, out of fear that life would fall apart. But I realized: I had enough money. I didn’t need to keep hoarding it for a catastrophe that might never come. Once I let go of that constant fear of scarcity, I could finally breathe.

At work, I stopped overdelivering and second-guessing myself every time my boss called. Instead, I started believing that I was actually a valuable member of the team. So, I asked for a promotion and a raise—on my terms. I told them I would leave if my pay didn’t meet my standards, and you know what? I got it. Because I knew my worth.

Then, there was the betrayal in my relationship. The third time it happened, I made the hardest decision of all: I walked away. I didn’t wait for apologies or promises; I simply stopped putting energy into a relationship that was draining me.

Looking back, leaving was the best decision I ever made. All the energy I’d been pouring into someone else, I now poured into myself. I reclaimed my life force and stopped swimming upstream. Life started feeling easy, not because everything was perfect, but because I was no longer fighting against the current.

Shifting My Mindset: From Victim to Empowered Creator

The biggest shift came when I changed my mindset. I stopped thinking that life was happening to me, and started believing that life was happening for me. It helped me tap into a version of myself who believed more was possible. I became "delusionally positive"—I truly believed that I could heal mentally, physically, and emotionally. And I did.

I started trusting that financial freedom could be possible for me, and slowly, I began building it.

I learned that the power to transform my life was within me. It wasn’t about waiting for circumstances to change, it was about shifting my story and taking ownership of my narrative.

Creating a Life That Supported My Health

Once I became healthier and more empowered, I knew I needed a lifestyle that would support my newfound well-being. I needed control over my time, less stress, and the ability to work on my terms.

That’s when I discovered online business. The idea of building a business that offered a model that didn’t require long hours or constant hustle and that aligned with my values and supported a healthier lifestyle. And when I learned that selling online courses could generate recurring income without trading hours for dollars, I felt like I had discovered a goldmine.

Digital Marketing: The Key to Unlocking Freedom

But how do you build an online business that actually works—and gets seen?
That’s when I stumbled across digital marketing: the strategy behind how things are shared, sold, and scaled online.

I quickly realized that every successful entrepreneur, blogger, and creator I looked up to had mastered these skills—and that if I wanted to create real momentum, I’d need to learn them too.

It felt like I had finally found the missing piece.
I enrolled in a course that broke everything down in a way that made sense—from mindset shifts and business foundations, to content strategy, sales psychology, and even how to set up an online store.

That course changed everything for me.

It gave me the tools and confidence I needed to start building my own digital business.

And the best part? While learning, I had the option to share the course as an affiliate and earn commissions—without needing to create anything from scratch.

They continue to update the content too, which keeps it relevant and packed with value.

The Power of Letting Go and Believing in Myself

Looking back, I can honestly say that everything began to shift when I stopped living life on “hard mode.”


I stopped resisting. I let go of the stories that kept me small.


And I started trusting that I could shape a new future—on my terms.

Now, I’m living a life I once thought was out of reach: one where I feel emotionally grounded, more financially secure, and healthier than I’ve ever been.


And I didn’t have to force or fight my way there. I just had to stop holding myself back.

If you’re ready to stop living in survival mode and step into a life with more flow, alignment, and ease—I encourage you to begin by shifting your belief:
Life isn’t just happening to you. It can happen for you, too.

Release the fear. Let go of the struggle. And allow space for something new to unfold.

Hi, I’m Clare Gabrielle

I’m a blogger and content creator helping women recovering from burnout explore online business in a way that brings joy, balance, and freedom into their lives.
Through my journey of healing from chronic illness, I’ve learned how important it is to create a business that supports your health—without the overwhelm or hustle.
My goal is to share what’s worked for me, so you can start building a business that feels aligned, sustainable, and truly yours.

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