Living in Gratitude, Even When Life Is Being Extra
(Shark Week Edition)
“Gratitude is like a muscle—the more you practice it, the stronger it gets.”
— Cynthia Prato, Get It Together: Without Losing Your Mind
Life is feeling extra these days. And while the sharks are circling the ocean, sometimes it feels like they’re circling you, too.
There’s just so much going on in the world that:
A) it’s hard to feel grateful at all, and
B) when you do feel grateful, you feel guilty for it.
At least that’s how it’s been for me lately. I’ll be honest, I want to celebrate the wins, the breakthroughs, the healing… but then I get hit with this internal conflict (and sometimes, external judgment). It’s like the moment you post something joyful, the keyboard heroes come out, jaws wide open, ready to chomp. They circle the internet, waiting for someone to say the “wrong” thing… or worse, say nothing at all.
Gratitude isn’t about ignoring what’s hard. It’s not about pretending everything is fine. It’s about finding those small, sacred moments of peace and grounding, even when the Jaws theme is playing in the background.
Real Talk:
Sometimes I feel like I’m on my very own little gratitude island, just me, alone in the middle of shark-infested waters. I want to share that gratitude with others, but it’s like I can’t swim back. Or worse… I’m just waiting for the inevitable bite, the shoe to drop, and suddenly I don’t feel safe in that gratitude anymore.
It’s messy, y’all.
Just when I thought my life was in full glow-up mode, dream job secured, business thriving, surrounded by the most supportive group of women, burnout still found me. And when I say I lost my mojo? I lost it all.
I felt like I was drowning. Not even a cute dolphin could save me. And Dory’s famous “just keep swimming” line? Didn’t help one bit.
I turned into a full-on great white shark 🦈 myself, snapping at every little annoyance. Honestly, I’m just grateful my husband made it out alive. 😅
And yet… in all that chaos and madness, I did find gratitude. I was able to pause. To take a break with my little family. To reflect. And in that reflection, I uncovered something important about myself.
It wasn’t easy, it was a hard pill to swallow, but that pause gave me the chance to find my compass 🧭 .
Smashing the “Good Vibes Only” Myth:
Gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring the fact that a tiger shark is circling you while you’re snorkeling in the middle of the ocean. You can be grateful for witnessing such a powerful animal , and also be grateful that you made it out of the water alive. Both things can be true.
Listen, I love the ocean 🌊 . I love everything about it. But I also respect it, the water, the creatures in it, and most importantly, my own life. So guess what? I don’t go in. Not even the shallow end.
Every time I’m near the ocean, I sit on the sand and feel deep gratitude for the sound of the waves and the sheer power behind them. How something so beautiful, calming, and peaceful… can also create massive destruction. You can’t be blind to that truth. And you can’t be blind to the “good vibes only” myth, either.
It’s okay to talk about the messy parts of life. In fact, you should. But don’t live there. Because what you don’t change, you are choosing. Just like gratitude is a practice, so is shifting out of negativity. You don’t have to fake sunshine ☀️ and rainbows 🌈 . You just have to choose a more constructive way forward.
Look at bull sharks, they’re evolving. They’re showing up in new locations, even freshwater lakes in Louisiana, because that’s where the food source is. You think they said, “Welp, no more food here… guess I’ll starve”? Heck no. They adapted. They moved. They figured it out.
And so can you.
Practical Shark-Proof Gratitude Tips
🦈 Morning gratitude with coffee ☕️ . Always. Non-negotiable.
🦈 Journaling messy wins—even the small ones. Write them on a sticky note, scribble them in a notebook, or type them into your phone’s notepad. If it made you smile, it counts.
🦈 Gratitude texts to friends or family. Think of them as dropping a lifeline during shark-infested waters. A simple “Thinking of you, so grateful for you” goes a long way (for both of you).
🦈 Daily affirmations. One of my favorites: “I am enough.” I save my affirmations and set them to rotate on my lock screen, a new one every hour. Little reminders like these keep me grounded, centered, and on track.
Anchor Yourself in Gratitude
Gratitude is your anchor ⚓️ , even when you’re floating in shark-infested waters during a hurricane.
No, it won’t make life perfect. But it will keep you grounded, focused, and resilient. So let’s flip the script. Let’s normalize being grateful and messy at the same time.
💬 What’s one thing you’re grateful for today, messy, imperfect, but real? Drop it in the comments below. Let's anchor ourselves in gratitude together.
Want more support?
📖 Grab a copy of my book Get It Together (Without Losing Your Mind)—it’s packed with real talk, personal stories, and practical 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.
