Mastering an Attitude of Gratitude & How to Keep It Going
The last few months have made it hard to feel grateful or even maintain a sense of gratitude. Life has been a whirlwind of illness, family challenges, balancing the needs of a young child and an aging parent. Throw in red-eye flights, tough conversations, and a mountain of paperwork, and it feels like gratitude is the last thing on my mind.
Still, through it all, I’ve been trying my best to practice something I call “dazzle catching”—finding small moments that make life feel a little lighter or more joyful. It might be something as simple as the soft pillow under my head, the deep breath I take, the birds singing outside my window, a long hot shower, a clear blue sky, or that first sip of coffee in the morning. Even the quiet drive home after the morning chaos of dropping my son off at school feels like a gift when I stop to notice.
We’ve all heard about the importance of gratitude—how it’s key to maintaining good mental health and a balanced life. Gratitude isn’t just a feel-good practice, it’s something that can lift your mood, reduce stress, and help you stay connected to what really matters. It’s also a powerful tool for manifesting the life you want to live.
On good days, being thankful is easy. But what about the bad days, when nothing seems to go right? How do you find the energy to thank the universe when everything feels like it’s falling apart? Let’s talk about how to make that happen.
What is an Attitude of Gratitude?
Before we get into how gratitude can improve your mental and emotional well-being, let’s look at what it really means. Gratitude isn’t just about saying “thank you” for the good things in life. It’s about having a deep sense, in your core, that you’re fortunate—no matter what’s happening around you. Even on the hardest days, there’s something to be thankful for.
When you get into the habit of seeing the world through this lens, it’s like flipping a switch. You start to notice the blessings all around you, even if they’re small. It’s not that your problems disappear, but the good things start to stand out more, like a neon sign in the dark.
Shifting your perspective in this way isn’t always easy, especially when you’re going through tough times. But once you do, it becomes second nature. You start to notice the glass half-full instead of half-empty, and that makes all the difference.
How to Make Gratitude a Daily Habit
Making gratitude your “default setting” might feel like a big challenge, but it’s actually easier than you think. It’s not about suddenly convincing yourself that everything is great. Instead, take small steps.
Start by asking yourself: What can I be grateful for right now? Maybe it’s something as simple as your morning coffee, or the sun shining through the window. Even the smallest things can spark a moment of gratitude.
Notice how you feel when you take a second to say “thank you” for something you enjoy. It might just be a tiny spark of hope, but it’s there. Now, what else can you be thankful for? A family member, a good friend, or a project that brings you joy?
The more you make this a part of your routine, the more natural it will feel. And soon, on days when you forget to practice gratitude, you’ll notice that something feels off—you won’t feel as light, as hopeful. That’s when you’ll realize how much of a difference this habit makes.
Over time, you’ll find yourself looking for things to be thankful for because it feels good to focus on the positive. It’s like getting “addicted” to that good feeling. Eventually, gratitude will become your go-to mindset, even without thinking about it.
Being Grateful on Tough Days
So, what about those tough days? When everything feels like it’s falling apart, how do you stay grateful?
To really master gratitude, especially during challenging times, requires a different way of thinking. It’s about seeing life’s struggles as lessons or gifts in disguise.
I know, that sounds strange. Who wants to be grateful for problems, setbacks, or hard days? But hear me out—sometimes, the hardest experiences teach us the most valuable lessons.
For example, let’s say you’ve always dreamed of getting a certain job. One day, you’re transferred to work directly under someone who holds that position, but it turns out to be nothing like you imagined. The job is stressful, and working for that person is draining. Instead of being discouraged, try shifting your perspective. Now you know firsthand that this “dream job” isn’t the right fit for you. Without this experience, you might have spent years chasing something that wouldn’t have made you happy.
Every challenge, every difficult moment, is a chance to learn more about yourself—what you want and what you don’t want. When you look at it that way, you can even be thankful for the tough times, because they’re guiding you in the right direction.
In the end, gratitude isn’t just about being thankful for the good—it’s about finding value in everything, even the struggles. And when you can do that, you’ll discover a sense of peace and fulfillment that stays with you, no matter what life throws your way.
