The Simple Question That Changed Everything
May 17, 2025
There was a moment in my parenting journey that changed me and my relationships forever.
My youngest daughter — just seven years old — was having a full-on meltdown. You know the kind: red-faced, tears streaming, fists clenched.
To be honest her tantrums terrified me and it was one of those moments where everything in me wanted to control, fix, or shut it down as fast as possible.
Inside, I could feel my body tensing. My fear rising. My need to make it stop — for her sake, yes, but if I’m honest… for mine and everyone else at home.
It’s moments like this that reveal just how easy it was for me to get swept up in fear and control— and take me out of presence.
And I was right there, about to react.
But something inside me paused.
Just long enough for me to ask myself the one question that changed everything:
👉 Where am I?
Three simple words.
And yet, they opened a doorway to deeper awareness.
To more authentic empowerment.
That one moment of awareness helped me see what was really happening — not with her, but with me.
I wasn’t grounded. I was completely dysregulated.
I was desperately trying to manage the chaos on the outside to soothe my fear on the inside.
But when I asked myself Where am I?, it was like flipping on a light switch. I could feel myself slow down. I took a breath. I softened. And my heart began to open.
I stopped trying to change her — to fix her.
I simply met her — right there in her big, messy emotion — with my full presence.
And within seconds her tantrum transformed to laughter.
Since then, asking this one simple question has become my go-to practice in every relationship — especially in the hardest moments.
Because here’s the truth:
Presence isn’t just a nice idea.
It’s a practice
And it’s the foundation of every relationship you’ll ever have.
If you’d like to learn how to hold it together and stay present when everything around you is in chaos— I created something awesome just for you:
🎁 The One Simple Question FREE Mini Masterclass
This FREE 10-minute training will walk you through how to use this question as a simple but powerful tool to come back home to yourself — and show up with more clarity, calm, and connection in all your relationships.
You’ll learn:
- Why you lose presence in moments that matter most
- How to recognize when you’re spiraling into reaction
- A simple question that helps you return to yourself and respond with clarity
✨ I also include a simple practical worksheet to support you when the sh*$ hits the fan. ✨
👉 Access the Free 10 Minute Mini Masterclass Here
You don’t need to do more.
You just need a moment.
A breath.
A question.
And the desire to come home to yourself.
in trust and gratitude,
Annmarie Chereso
Author, Speaker, Coach, & Meditation Teacher