Living in Gratitude, Especially Through the Hard Times
There’s so much going on in the world right now, and not going to lie—I stopped watching the news a long time ago. I then just skimmed the headlines just to stay somewhat informed, but even that has become too much. It’s like an instant mood shift, and not the kind that makes you want to frolic through a field of sunflowers.
But let’s be real—sometimes, gratitude feels really hard to find. Especially when I walk into Sams Club and see a case of eggs for $25. TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS. 😩
Did I absolutely need the eggs? Maybe not.
But in my house, we love eggs.
The Aries fire in me was ready to rage-text anyone who would validate my frustration. How dare the universe mess with my breakfast?! The audacity.
I could feel myself going from ZERO to "I hate everything" in record time. But then, I caught myself. Instead of spiraling into “this sucks, everything is terrible,” I reframed it:
💡 I’m grateful I have a job that allows me to shift my budget and still buy these eggs.
Of course, I did vent to my husband first—because, hello, I’m human. 😂 But once I got that out of my system, I moved forward. And that’s where gratitude becomes a game changer—it’s not about ignoring the hard stuff, it’s about choosing where to focus your energy.
When the World Feels Heavy, Gratitude Becomes a Lifeline
Eggs were just the beginning. Then I checked the news (mistake #1), and it felt like one awful thing after another. My anxiety started creeping in, and I had to make a conscious decision to shut my phone off.
To be honest, I was already in recovery mode from my recent work trip:
✈️ Airports.
👥 A full week of being surrounded by people at a work conference.
😨 Flying home while still shaken by recent airline news.
It felt impossible to find gratitude in all of that. But while I was sitting on that plane, heart racing, gripping the armrest like my life depended on it, I made a choice. Instead of panicking, I started silently listing what I was grateful for:
✔️ The pilots—who were trained professionals and would get us to our destination safely.
✔️ The flight attendants—who were working hard to keep us comfortable.
✔️ The free Southwest WiFi (because, let’s be real, distractions help).
✔️ My layover—because it gave me a chance to walk, stretch, and reset.
✔️ My breathwork practice—which kept me from full-blown panic mode.
Did this magically cure my fear of flying? Absolutely not.
Did my smartwatch think I was in the middle of a HIIT workout? Probably.
But it worked. And that’s the thing about gratitude—it’s not about pretending everything is fine. It’s about shifting your focus, even just a little, to what’s still good.
Gratitude is a Practice, Not Perfection
There will be days when gratitude comes easily, and days when it feels impossible. But practicing gratitude—especially during tough times—helps shift your mindset, reduce stress, and build resilience.
Try This Today:
📝 Write down three things you’re grateful for—even if they seem small.
💬 Comment below—what’s something you’re grateful for today?
And if you’re looking for more ways to shift your mindset and find balance, grab my book Get It Together: Without Losing Your Mind. It’s packed with tools, humor, and real-life strategies to help you navigate life’s chaos (without throwing your phone across the room).
📖 Available now on Kindle & Paperback!
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📖 Grab a copy of my book Get It Together (Without Losing Your Mind)—it’s full of stories and strategies to help you reclaim your time, energy, and purpose.
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Disclaimer:
I am not a doctor, psychologist, or licensed therapist. Everything I share is based on my personal experiences and should not be considered professional advice. For personalized guidance, always consult a licensed medical or mental health professional—yes, a real one, not "Dr. Google" or the comment section of social media.
If you're in crisis, please call 911 or contact the 988 Lifeline for immediate support. You're not alone, and real help is available.
