In this episode of Elena Out Loud, I'm getting honest about something many of us feel but don't always say out loud: being overwhelmed while also deeply grateful for the life we're living.

I talk about the emotional complexity of a full and busy life and what it's like to hold the tension between gratitude and stress — especially as a mother and a professional wearing many hats. This conversation isn't about complaining or fixing everything; it's about naming what's real.

We explore why it's okay to feel contradictory emotions at the same time, why overwhelm doesn't cancel out gratitude, and why asking for help is not a failure but a necessity. I also share a few simple practices that help me manage the mental load, like writing things down and letting go of the belief that I have to do everything myself.

This episode is for anyone who loves their life and still feels stretched thin — an invitation to acknowledge what's hard, honor what's good, and remember that you don't have to carry it all alone.

If this episode resonates, I'd love for you to follow the podcast, leave a review, or share it with someone who might need this reminder.

In this episode, I'm sharing something that feels both exciting and vulnerable: the story of how I finally decided to start my YouTube channel.

This didn't happen overnight. For a long time, I let self-doubt, procrastination, and fear keep me stuck. I questioned whether I had anything useful to say, whether my voice really mattered, and whether putting myself out there would actually make a difference. If I'm being honest, it was easier to keep thinking about it than to actually do it.

Through conversations with my life coach and moments of reflection — including a message that kept coming up for me through oracle cards — I was reminded of something powerful: sometimes you don't need certainty, you just need courage. For me, that meant choosing to "step into the flame" and take a risk on a dream I've been holding close for years.

This episode is about more than starting a YouTube channel. It's about what happens when we stop waiting to feel ready, surrender to the process, and allow ourselves to create simply because it matters to us. The reference I make the actor that talks about writing a poem tearing it up into tiny pieces and throwing it away is Sir Ian McKellen.

If this conversation resonates with you, I'd love for you to listen, reflect, and share it with someone who might need the reminder that their voice matters too. And if you're enjoying the podcast, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or connecting with me — your support helps this community grow and keeps these conversations going.

In this deeply personal episode, I open up about a recent loss in my family and the waves of grief that have followed. This isn't a polished story — it's real, raw, and honest. I share what it's been like to sit with my emotions, give myself permission to not have it all together, and allow space for both chaos and compassion.

Grief can feel unpredictable — one day heavy, the next quiet — and that's okay. I'm learning to let things be as they are, without trying to manage or "fix" every feeling. Through this conversation, I hope to remind anyone going through loss that you don't have to navigate it perfectly. You just have to show up for yourself with love and honesty.

If you're grieving or supporting someone who is, this episode is an invitation to breathe, feel, and remember that it's okay not to be okay.