3 Things I'm Grateful for this Week
There are days when gratitude practice feels minuscule and pointless—but I know it's not.
I started practicing daily gratitude after a really intense time. At the tail end of 2020, I found myself completely burnt out and anxious. The pandemic was in full swing, and my heart was so heavy. The isolation was hard, the time at home was hard, showing up to teach courses virtually was hard. Life just felt like way too much. In October 2020, I felt like a dense fog was covering me, and I couldn't find my way out. I'd become so overwhelmed that I had a meltdown—sobbing into my husband's chest feeling more lost, depressed, and anxious than ever.
That was my invitation to slow down, find a therapist, and start uncovering a new pathway to peace.
Like the rest of us, I had no clue how to practice self-care during a global pandemic. I'd completely deprioritized myself and was having trouble finding my way back. I picked up a book called Wake Up Grateful, hoping to be comforted. That book shifted how I saw what was in front of me. It encouraged me to look at the glory of being alive and well in the moment. With that, I shifted my writing practice (which felt like a chore at the time) and started keeping a short gratitude journal. Each day, I'd write one thing I was grateful for. The list grew as I added to it—and I was in awe at how many little things I had been ignoring.
The blue sky.
My comfy slippers.
Lemon water.
Pillow talk with my husband.
Washing my face in peace.
Hearing the kids laugh.
Waking up.
Identifying the micro-moments of joy helped me reconnect with what it truly means to live gratefully.
There are days when gratitude practice feels minuscule and pointless—but I know it's not. It is on those days that I need it the most. I know deep down that each moment I experience is such a blessing. This week, I am reflecting on a few small things that brought me deep joy and comfort.
I am grateful for:
Loving and safe connection. Last week, I experienced something that left me feeling extremely sad, confused, and emotionally disoriented. When it happened, my friend was in town. With tears flowing down my face, she wrapped me in the warmest hug and said, I love you. I felt so grateful for her comforting embrace. I felt safe, loved, and assured. As we hugged, I was reminded of how thankful I am to have people like her in my life who see me, know my heart, and care deeply about me. There was a time when that felt far away, but not anymore. Love, safety, and connection are right where I am.
My two-year-old's hands. Maxi's a mama's girl. She loves to snuggle, kiss my cheeks, and hold hands. The other night, she crawled into bed with my husband and me. I was too tired to carry her back to her room, so I let her lay with us. She cozied up very close to me, put her hand on my face, and gently patted and rubbed my cheek. "I love you so much, mama," she whispered. I replied I love you too, sweet girl. Let's go night-night. She smiled, kissed my cheek, and said, "Shhh...daddy sleepin'." She fell asleep holding my hand. I am grateful for her tiny hands and the immense love she has in her heart for me.
Toast with homemade butter. I love bread and butter. I tried my hand at making my own butter from heavy whipping cream and salt. It was delicious on toasted sourdough. I closed my eyes with each bite. I felt so nourished and happy eating.
We can find gratitude in the simplest things. On my darkest days, gratitude is my light. It doesn't have to be complicated or deep. Sometimes we find our way back to center by eating bread and butter, being held by a friend, or holding hands with our children.
Let the small things meet you where you are and bring ease and gratitude into your life.
Community Question: What 3 small things are you grateful for today?
Want to support my work? You can buy my book After the Rain here, at Target, or at your fave Indie Bookshop.
Thank you so much for reading Gratitude Weekly. If you like this newsletter, please subscribe here and share it with a friend.