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Gratitude


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Every year around this time, the world suddenly becomes obsessed with “gratitude.”It shows up in commercials, on decorative pillows at Target, and in the annual parade of social media posts where people list what they’re thankful for. It’s like the entire planet starts throwing the word thankful around like confetti.

But let’s be honest… this season is complicated.

Not everyone celebrates Thanksgiving.Some don’t believe in it.Some have painful histories tied to it.Some are from countries where the day doesn’t even exist.And for many Indigenous communities, this holiday carries a heavy truth that cannot, (and should not), be brushed aside. So instead of pretending the day is light and cute for everyone, I wanted to shift the focus to something we can all connect to:

Gratitude. Not the decorative kind. The real, grounding, daily-life kind.

The kind you can practice even when your kitchen isn’t filled with a giant turkey or your house isn’t full of people. The kind you can practice even when life feels messy, uncertain, or a bit too loud. This blog post is dedicated to that gratitude.

Gratitude Without the Holiday


Somewhere along the way, gratitude started getting packaged like a lifestyle trend:

“Make a gratitude list!”

“Just think positive!”

“Manifest your dreams!”


Cute. But also.. kind of missing the point.


Gratitude isn’t a Pinterest aesthetic.It isn’t a tone of voice or a seasonal vibe.

It’s a skill. A mindset. A muscle. And sometimes? A challenge.

Real gratitude asks us to slow down, which is hard when life is moving at 700 mph.It asks us to notice what we usually overlook. It invites us to hold space for the good and the hard at the same time. And that’s the part people forget.


Gratitude does not erase pain. It doesn’t silence struggle. It doesn’t mean pretending.

It just shifts the weight a little so the load feels more bearable.

It can be something big, healing, second chances, love that shows up when you need it.Or something tiny, your dog nudging your hand, a soft morning, sunshine after a gray week.

Gratitude isn’t always loud, but it is powerful.


When Gratitude Feels Out of Reach


Let’s be real: sometimes gratitude feels impossible.

If you’re grieving, stressed, anxious, exhausted, burned out, or just straight-up overwhelmed, the last thing you want is someone telling you to “be grateful.”

And if that’s you? You’re human. And you’re not doing anything wrong.

Gratitude in hard seasons isn’t about fireworks.It’s about sparks.

One breath. One moment. One thing (even if it’s tiny) that reminds you you’re still here.

A warm drink .A song you love. Your pet leaning on you. A moment of unexpected laughter. A sky that looked prettier than usual.

These small recognitions don’t magically fix life, but they soften it. And sometimes, softness is enough to get through the day.



✦ The 4 A’s of Gratitude (My New Favorite Discovery)

Funny enough, I didn’t learn about this until after recording the podcast episode, but it was too good not to include here.


The 4 A’s of Gratitude break the practice down into something simple, accessible, and actually doable:


1. Awareness

Noticing the good things in your life — big or small — and being present with them.

2. Acknowledgement

Consciously recognizing and valuing what you became aware of.

3. Appreciation

Letting yourself feel grateful. Noticing how that recognition impacts you emotionally.

4. Action

Expressing gratitude through behavior:a thank you, a message, a favor, a kind gesture.

It’s basically the roadmap to sustainable, grounded gratitude… not the fluffy kind.

If you want to hear this conversation in a more intimate, spoken way, I also recorded a podcast episode on this same topic. You can listen to it on The Journey We Take wherever you get your podcasts (The Journey We Take Episode 19: Gratitude Beyond the Holiday)


The Lifestyle Shift: Gratitude in the In-Between Moments


Here’s the part I love most:


Gratitude works best when it’s woven into everyday life.. not saved for a holiday.

Not the big dramatic moments, but the in-between ones.

It’s noticing the good during an ordinary Tuesday. It’s taking two seconds to say “thank you” to a moment nobody saw but you. It’s slowing down long enough to recognize your life as it’s happening.

And when you start doing that?Patterns emerge. You see what matters. You see what supports you. You see yourself. That clarity is where transformation begins.


The Science Behind Gratitude (Yes, It’s Real)


This isn’t just spiritual fluff. Gratitude actually changes your brain.

Studies show that practicing gratitude can:

  • reduce stress and anxiety

  • increase resilience

  • improve sleep

  • boost mood

  • strengthen relationships

  • rewire your brain to notice more positive experiences


This Season Is… A Lot


Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: This time of year isn’t easy for everyone.

For some, the season is cozy, full of family and togetherness.For others, it’s lonely, triggering, overwhelming, or full of memories you’re still healing from.

It can be nostalgic, chaotic, joyful, heavy, sometimes all in the same day.

And then there’s the historical truth (especially for Indigenous communities) that deserves acknowledgment and respect. Gratitude can hold all of that.

It’s flexible. It makes room for complexity. It lets us tell the truth.

We can appreciate moments of connection without ignoring the weight behind the season. We can be grateful without glamorizing a painful history.We can be present without pretending. That’s the beauty of gratitude, it doesn’t demand perfection. It just asks for honesty.


When Gratitude Comes in Hindsight


If I’m being honest, most of my biggest gratitude realizations showed up long after the moment passed. You know that feeling when you look back and suddenly see:

“Oh.. that mattered.” “That taught me something.” “That person was placed in my life at the right time.” “I didn’t realize it then, but I was growing.”

That’s hindsight gratitude and that alone is fierce enough to leave a mark..

And the more you practice noticing the small things now, the more you’ll notice gratitude in real time, not just in reflection.. That shift is truly life-changing.


How to Bring Gratitude Into Daily Life

Here are a few simple ways to make gratitude a practice, not a performance:


1. The One-Line Reflection

At the end of your day, write down one thing you’re glad happened.Not perfect. Not amazing. Just… good.


2. Micro-Thanks

Say “thank you” in your head during everyday moments:

  • turning on your car

  • walking into your house

  • taking a breath

  • finishing a task

  • waking up

It reprograms your brain to notice the little things.


3. Gratitude Toward Yourself

This one matters so much.We spend so much time analyzing what we should’ve done better…Rarely do we say, “Hey, thank you for trying today. You did your best.”


4. Gratitude for What’s Unresolved

This is harder, but powerful: Being grateful in uncertainty, not for the uncertainty, but for the strength you’ve found inside it.


✦ Scientific Sources & Research

For readers who like to know the “why” behind the wellness:







 
 
 

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