How I Show Gratitude

Hi friends, and happy Wednesday! It’s time for the November edition of Let’s Look, and today we’re chatting about how we show gratitude.

When I first quickly read the prompt, I focused on the word gratitude and thought, oh my gosh, I don’t have a gratitude journal, routine quiet time, or any kind of guided gratitude meditation ritual. Yikes, I must be the most ungrateful person on the planet!

But then I realised the prompt isn’t about how grateful we are, it’s about how we show gratitude in the little things we do every day. And, of course, the good English student in me (always my favourite subject in school) had to look up the definition of gratitude just to be sure.

Phew! I realised I am thankful, and I do show it by noticing the little things and taking small actions to make life easier or brighter for the people around me. Here’s how I show gratitude in my world.

Small, Practical Gestures

I’m a doer and love to do things to make someone’s day easier. It can be anything from washing someone’s lunch containers that have been left in the sink at work (we’re supposed to do our own) to offering to feed my neighbour’s cat while she is in Fiji on holidays next week.

Humour

If humour were a love language, it would be mine! I love to laugh, and I love making others laugh. Life is too short, and working with children is too hard, to take everything seriously.

Showing You Care

I think it’s really important to be consistent. Following through on promises, really listening when someone is talking, and turning up when you say you will are all ways I try to show gratitude.

Send a Thoughtful Text

I’m not much of a card writer, but I do send texts to let someone know I’m thinking of them, to encourage them, or to say thank you for something. It’s a simple way to show that someone notices and cares, and a really nice way to show gratitude

Random Acts of Kindness

Small, unexpected gestures go a long way. Holding the door or letting someone cut in front of you while driving (even though they don’t usually say thank you-hehe)

Give Encouragement and Recognition

It’s important to notice the effort, not just the outcome, and it’s always worth saying out loud. Something as simple as “I saw how hard you worked on that” can really make someone feel seen and appreciated. I’ve been working on this myself because I have a habit of thinking it, but not actually saying it. I don’t know why people can’t just hear my thoughts!

Show Gratitude to Your Family

I’m a big believer in showing gratitude to family, and it shouldn’t be left at the front door. I send texts to my husband and kids to let them know I’m thinking of them. With all of us working different schedules and having days off that don’t line up, I think it’s important to stay in communication. I learned this from my husband, who is much better at communicating than me.

I also like to acknowledge the little things my family do, like when someone empties the dishwasher or takes out the garbage, without being asked. My boys are good eggs, and they deserve a thank you.

Gratitude for Myself

Along with showing gratitude to others, I’ve been learning to show it to myself. I’m rewiring my brain to be more positive, taking breaks when I need them, resting, eating well, and noticing the little things I actually manage to get done each day. Go me!

Those are some of the ways I try to show gratitude every day. I’d love to hear how you do it, too. It’s amazing how the little things can mean so much.

Linking up with Erika and Shay