Hey Joy Seekers! Welcome to another episode of the She Finds Joy Podcast, a sacred space where we get real about living joyful, purpose-filled lives, even in the middle of chaos. Today, I have an absolute soul-fire guest joining me: Hannah Gellar, a 25-year-old first grade teacher who’s flipping the script on teaching, mindset, and the power of affirmations. Ever feel bombarded by stories of teacher burnout, pressure, and negativity around education? Or maybe you just wonder “Can joy still exist in these classrooms, with all the challenges teachers face?” Listen in because Hannah is living proof that it absolutely CAN, and she's making magic happen every single day with her students. This fresh, uplifting episode will crack open your view of what’s possible in tough environments, whether you’re a teacher, parent, or anyone rewriting your own narrative with joy at the center. In This Episode: Following the Call: Hear how Hannah navigated doubts, noise, and outside pressures to rediscover her earliest calling to teach and why purpose trumps negativity, every single time. Power of Affirmations: Go behind the scenes of Hannah's daily affirmation rituals with her first graders, learn the exact affirmations she chants (“I’m awesome. I’m smart. I can do hard things!”), and hear how these simple words sparked a ripple effect of confidence, kindness, and classroom community. Kids That Uplift Each Other: Real stories of tiny humans lifting struggling classmates up with affirmation power (“It’s okay to make mistakes. You can do hard things.”). If you need a goosebumps moment, THIS is it Joy As an Act of Rebellion: Why choosing joy in teaching, again and again, is a radical act, and how Hannah navigates social media’s burnout narratives by intentionally writing her OWN story. Growth Mindset in Action: How believing in kids’ potential (and seeing them as leaders, now, not “someday”) transforms what’s possible for every learner. Building Family Joy: My own practice of posting affirmations for my son as a daily dose of self-belief (yes, even behind the toilet!) and why every family, classroom, or individual can personalize this practice. Power Moves: Write Your Own Story: Whether you’re teaching, parenting, or changing careers, ask, “What story do I want to tell about my journey?” and choose your narrative daily. Morning Affirmations: Try Hannah's affirmation ritual alone or with your kids: “I’m awesome. I’m loved. I can do hard things.” Spread It Forward: Next time you see someone struggling, remind them with a loving affirmation (kids, partners, friends, it’s contagious!). Celebrate Progress: Remember, you’re not something “yet” add “yet” to every limitation in your head. Flip “I can’t” to “I can’t YET.” Get Honest About Mindset: Notice are you letting old negativity dictate your experience, or will you try on a new lens of joy and possibility? Mic-Drop Quotes: “We’re not just instilling confidence in ourselves, but in each other. That’s when the domino effect begins.” “You get to write your teaching story. Everyone’s opinion of education is their truth, but it doesn’t have to be yours.” “Before a child can learn, they must feel safe and loved. Affirmation is how we download new belief systems for kids AND adults.” Listener Challenge: 👉 Whether you parent, teach, or simply live with intention: pick one affirmation from today’s show and say it out loud every morning for a week. 👉 Share the practice with a child, partner, or friend and notice the ripple! Share & Connect: Take a screenshot of your favorite quote or ah-ha moment, and tag @KimStrobelJoy and @MsGellarTeachesLittles on Instagram! Let’s show the world what happens when we choose joy, affirmation, and belief no matter what’s swirling around us. Drop a review at kimstrobel.com/review and don’t forget to subscribe the next episode is all about more hands-on tools to recharge your purpose and positivity! You deserve a life filled with real, soul-filling JOY and you have the power to create it, moment by moment, belief by belief. Choose your story. Build your joy. Teach it forward. With love and bold hope, Kim Tune in, soak it in, and let’s make joy our default mode together!