Pandemic Style Gratitude: How to be genuinely grateful when things are hard

(Less than 3 minute read time)

Thanksgiving is upon us once again.  We know we are supposed to feel and express our gratitude in this season, but as I sit down to write this I’m acutely aware that so many are struggling with loss.  

Around the globe, people are dealing with loss.  Loss of “normalcy”, loss of work, loss of health, or the loss of a loved one.  Whatever loss looks like, most of us have experienced some form of it this year.  

How are we supposed to be grateful with so much loss all around?

1. Drop the should – If we are only trying to be grateful because we think we are “supposed to” or we “should” it becomes about “checking the box” versus expressing and experiencing genuine appreciation.  If you are going to spend any time being grateful, do it because you actually want to – not because you are fulfilling some imaginary requirement.  

2. Grow your “want to” –  Tip #1 doesn’t mean that those of us who aren’t feeling exceptionally grateful right now should just drop it and move on.  Instead, consider if you even want gratitude?  Consider the benefits…  Studies show that gratitude has numerous benefits.  It releases our “happy chemicals” – serotonin and dopamine.  Gratitude sparks brain activity that supports sleep, metabolism,  and higher cognitive function.  It increases our immune systems as well as our mental resilience (two especially important benefits during a pandemic).  Even if it’s hard to be grateful right now that’s ok – can you allow yourself to move an inch closer to it by acknowledging the benefits and becoming willing to want them?     

3. Allow the opposite to also be true – Choosing gratitude does not mean we deny reality.  It does not mean that the challenging negative parts of our lives are to be stuffed and ignored.  While it is impossible to feel grateful AND a competing negative emotion simultaneously, this does not mean we shelf the negative permanently.  Instead, we can pursue gratitude AND make space for processing the other emotions that are a part of being a human on the planet. 

4. Make it fun – This year we’re doing a gratitude wall.  We got colored paper circles and each day we’d put up a new circle representing something we’re grateful for.  This fun, bright, visual reminder has helped keep gratitude within reach all month long.  

Need a hand finding genuine gratitude?  The real deal, not the fluff stuff?  I can definitely help.  Click here to chat!