I’ll be honest: I used to be pretty skeptical about so-called “simple” habits that promise to change your life. Gratitude was definitely one of them. I’d heard so many times, “Practice gratitude daily, and your life will improve.” It sounded nice, but actually doing it? That felt like another story. Still, over the past several years, I gave it a real shot and made gratitude a regular part of my day. What surprised me the most wasn’t just the shift in my mindset, but the unexpected ways it’s also affected my health, my relationships, and my overall well-being.
Recently, I’ve leaned on this practice in a way I never anticipated. Just last month, my dad passed away suddenly, and nothing could have prepared me for the shock or grief that followed. I was devastated, overwhelmed, and struggling to make sense of it all. In the middle of all the sorrow, though, I found myself returning to gratitude. It wasn’t easy, and it didn’t take the pain away, but focusing on the moments I was grateful for, the time I’d had with him, the memories we’d shared, and the people supporting me through the loss, brought a deep sense of comfort and even a kind of grounding peace.
Reflecting on the happy times we’d shared allowed me to focus, even briefly, on the joy he brought to my life instead of just the heartache of his absence. Gratitude helped me remember that while I had lost so much, I had also been given so much. I’ve started to feel a bittersweet sense of closeness to him, and I believe gratitude has helped me hold on to his memory in a healthier way, letting the love we shared balance the grief.
In general, practicing gratitude has given me a renewed sense of clarity, especially in the face of loss. It’s taught me to appreciate each small, fleeting moment and to hold on to what I have without taking it for granted. This focus on the positive hasn’t made the pain disappear, but it has softened the edges of my grief, creating space for love, comfort, connection and even healing.
Looking back, I never expected this one small habit to become such an important part of my life. But gratitude, with its quiet strength, has been a steady, unassuming support, helping me hold onto the good, even when life feels most challenging.
Here’s a list of a couple ways you can try to incorporate gratitude into your life:
- Gratitude Journaling: Write down three things you’re thankful for each day to train your mind to focus on the positives.
- Express Appreciation: Show genuine thanks to people around you, whether with words, notes, or small gestures.
- Mindful Gratitude Meditation: Take a few minutes to focus on people or things you’re grateful for, feeling the warmth they bring.
- Gratitude Jar: Write moments of gratitude on slips of paper and put them in a jar to create a collection of positive memories.
- Reflect Before Bed: End each day by thinking of one or two things you’re grateful for to shift your focus to the good.
- Practice Gratitude During Challenges: In tough times, find one positive aspect or lesson — this builds resilience and keeps gratitude alive.
Most importantly, keep it simple. The best way to start and stick with something is to ease into it. Give it a shot and let me know how adding gratitude into your daily life has helped you.