What if gratitude looked a little different this year?
As Thanksgiving approaches, I've been thinking a lot about gratitude. Not the glossy, Instagram-perfect version where we're supposed to feel endlessly thankful for everything all the time. But the real, grounded kind that acknowledges life's complexity while still making space for appreciation.
Here's the thing: gratitude doesn't have to look like a numbered list or a forced smile when things are hard. It can be messy. It can coexist with grief, frustration, or exhaustion. In fact, some of the most powerful gratitude I've experienced has come during the toughest seasons.
Gratitude rituals that feel real:
The "both/and" practice
Life is rarely all good or all bad. Try acknowledging both truths at once: "I'm grateful for my job AND I'm exhausted by it." "I'm thankful for my family AND our relationships are complicated." This practice honors your full experience instead of bypassing the hard parts.
Gratitude for the small stuff
Sometimes the big gratitudes feel out of reach. That's okay. Notice the small moments: the first sip of morning coffee, a text from a friend, the way sunlight hits your kitchen counter, your cat's ridiculous antics. These tiny appreciations add up.
Thank your past self
What did you do last week, last month, or last year that's making your life easier right now? Maybe you meal-prepped, set a boundary, or simply got through a hard day. Acknowledge that past version of you who kept going.
The letting go ritual
Gratitude can also mean releasing what no longer serves you. Light a candle and quietly thank the habits, relationships, or beliefs you're ready to release. Gratitude for the lesson, and permission to move forward.
Appreciate your resilience
You've survived every hard day so far. That's worth recognizing. You've adapted, pivoted, and kept showing up even when it wasn't easy. That matters.
This Thanksgiving, I hope you find moments of genuine appreciation without the pressure to perform gratitude. Your thankfulness is valid whether it's whispered quietly over morning tea or shared loudly around a crowded table.
However you approach this holiday, be gentle with yourself.