Seven years ago, I left my home in Venezuela and moved to America for a better future and a new life here in America. But I never realized how difficult and stressful it would be leaving behind my family. I missed them so much and I was very depressed. My dad passed away, and I couldn’t be there for my mom and my siblings. There were times when I just felt overcome by sadness. I started the Thrive Challenge to help me feel less anxious and less lonely.
To lower my stress, I began stretching first thing in the morning.
I put on music, and I do some deep breathing or a short meditation. I’ll watch a couple of Thrive nature Resets, which make me feel peaceful. One helpful Microstep is telling myself what I’m grateful for. I also think about positive things I can do at work, like connecting with people. That helps me start my day on the right foot.
Asking for support was an important step for me.
I started having professional therapy, and I realized that it’s okay to get help. I’ve learned that it’s not good to keep our problems to ourselves. It feels good to have someone listening to me.
At work, I’m getting to know my colleagues.
It takes time to make a real amigo, but I’ve been making an effort to talk to people and I’ve made one good friend, William. My co-workers are kind and friendly, and I’ve found that I have the same interests as some of them. We’ll share lunch, go out for dinner, and watch a soccer game together on T.V. I’m a big Real Madrid fan! We also listen to music; I love Linkin Park. Having a community at work makes a difference in how I feel. I’m less stressed, I’ve started to smile again, and I don’t feel isolated.
The best thing I did was join a softball team.
I’ve played since I was a small child, and getting back to my passion at 33 is amazing. We play two evenings a week. It’s great exercise and when I’m on the field I’m not thinking about my worries. It’s competitive, but there’s a lot of laughter and fun too. I’ve made good friends. We share ideas and talk about our lives after the game.
I started dating someone I met through a softball friend.
Carolina is also from Venezuela and she has become very special to me. It’s been hard to open my heart, but with Carolina, that’s what’s happened. We hang out and cook dinner. We’ll make arepas or go out for pizza sometimes. It’s nice because I can be myself with her — we really listen to each other. I can tell her how I’m feeling and I know she doesn’t judge me.
I still miss my mom in Venezuela, but we talk every day.
I love her so much, but for a while we weren’t connecting enough because I was sad and stressed. Since I started the Challenge, I’ve been making sure we have regular video chats, which bring me a lot of peace and help me feel closer to her, even though she is so far away. She gives me advice and reassures me that everything will be fine. I feel good because I’m sending money to her twice a month, which I hope helps make life easier for her and for my siblings.
A few weeks ago, I received great news.
I got my Temporary Protected Status (TPS) visa and I’m so excited. It means I can apply for a visa for my mom to come to the United States. I dream of hugging her again, and now I know that will happen.\
— Emiro Urdaneta, Walmart HVFC #4124, Lebanon, TN; $5K Winner