A therapist once told me that some days, the things to be grateful for are simply breathing, waking up in the morning, and using my brain to try to find things to be grateful for. These three things may seem simple but they are huge on a bigger scale.
It sounds depressing, actually, but it’s true.
There have been so many negative things that have happened to us this past year, but I am really struggling with my gratitude practice. I’m not going to lie.
My mental health is at a critical point where therapy twice a week seems like that is about all I can do, and yet, I still struggle.
We have gone on and on about how important it is to practice gratitude. I am beginning to see that it is the small things that I appreciate most and can often be overlooked.
What Started the 100 Things to Be Grateful For?
Today, I was taking a walk without a dog, of course, since we lost two dogs this year. Walks seem unbearably lonely, but then there will be some birds chirping, and I will think, well, there’s that.
When I returned home, I broke down crying. I am constantly reminded of the sadness of not having one of our fur babies greet me with excitement and love upon entry.
As I started working myself out of a pending spiral of depression, I decided to list 100 things to be grateful for. Why 100?
It seemed like if I could come up with a list of 100, then maybe that would prove to me that I do have things in my life for which I am thankful.
Things To Be Grateful for When You Don’t Think There Is Anything
This isn’t meant to make anyone feel sorry for me or my loved ones to worry. Believe me, the people in my life who know me are fully aware of this time and season of my life and how shitty it has been.
With that said, there are a lot of people who have it worse. I realize that. Thinking about all of those circumstances can be catastrophic when you are already in a gloomy place.
So, let’s get to the list. We hope that you, too, can find at least one thing to be grateful for that brings you some peace.
100 Things to Be Grateful For
1. Having Gerry as a partner.
2. Cherishing the deep, unconditional love that our furbabies gave.
3. My legs work to take me on a walk.
4. The way the sun feels on my skin.
5. The ability and strength to say no.
6. Sound bowl music that helps to calm me.
7. Being able to read.
8. Having access to an Epipen if/when I encounter an allergic reaction.
9. The sound of waves in the ocean that we can sometimes hear from our front porch.
10. A neighbor who asks how I am doing.
11. A smile from a stranger who has no idea how I am doing but somehow knows I need it.
12. The cozy white chair that allows me to sink into it and feel like the world is shut out for a bit.
13. That first taste of a hot, gooey slice of pizza.
14. A hot shower when I am shivering.
15. Having affordable access to therapy for connection and support.
16. The soft fur and purrs of the stray outdoor kitty cartel.
17. A clear night sky full of stars.
18. That feeling just before drifting off to sleep.
19. Riding a bike.
20. A peaceful moment alone – no phone, social media, or disruption.
21. Having shoes to walk in.
22. Having a garden, even if only one thing grows.
23. A handwritten card from someone.
24. A really good stretch.
25. A roof over my head.
26. The smell of freshly baked cookies.
27. The taste of freshly baked cookies.
28. Those birds chirping outside the window.
29. Family that loves me.
30. The ability to express myself creatively.
31. Being able to travel for work to create authentic content surrounding the experiences.
32. Phone calls from my mom just when they are needed.
33. Feeling understood and heard.
34. My OCD, since it allows for me to be super organized and clutter-free.
35. A laugh that makes me cry.
36. Trying a new recipe and actually loving it.
37. The local coffee shop on rainy mornings.
38. Packing for a trip.
39. The memory of my first concert (Color Me Badd, so color me also embarrassed.)
40. A big, deep hug from someone who cares about me.
41. An Aperol Spritz.
42. Being able to help someone with something small that means so much.
43. The autonomy and freedom to make my own decisions.
44. My heart locket with our furbabies’ ashes in it.
45. Having experienced other cultures and appreciating the unique things that are different about all of us.
46. Clean water.
47. Seeing an old photo of me and my grandma at my college graduation.
48. Being able to graduate college.
49. My glasses and contacts help me to see better.
50. My thick hair.
51. My sense of taste.
52. Ben & Jerry’s Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
53. Feeling secure in my home.
54. Feeling secure in my neighborhood.
55. Being able to swim.
56. The feeling of a big, comfy hoodie.
57. Playing badminton with Gerry.
58. The blooming tree outside my window, even if I don’t know what kind it is.
59. My morning routine.
60. My heart continues to beat.
61. My green plants bring me joy and keep my air fresh.
62. Encounters with guests from our podcast that make me feel less alone in my mental health struggles.
63. Having sold everything and moved to the coast.
64. A heating pad for sore pains.
65. The movie “Annie”. It reminds me of being a kid and how much I loved singing “Tomorrow” with a red wig on.
66. Cancelled plans.
67. Plans kept.
68. Our backyard.
69. The drive from the airport into New York City.
70. Bimini’s blue water.
71. Having an automobile.
72. Being able to vote.
73. Eminem’s new album.
74. Animal rescue groups.
75. Warm, fresh sheets on the clothesline drying in the sun.
76. How my feet feel when walking on beach sand.
77. A completed to-do list.
78. The Golden Girls
79. A bubble cuddle blanket and the coziness that comes from that.
80. A made-up bed.
81. Prosecco being poured into a glass, those bubbles!
82. The smell of an eraser- the days of school supplies!
83. A bed to sleep on.
84. Coffee creamer.
85. Gerry’s dumb jokes that make me laugh every time.
86. Soy candles
87. Radio Margaritaville
88. Walking barefoot in the grass
89. Rain when the sun is out
90. Saturday cartoons (even if you have to stream them)
91. Fruit Loops
92. A clean, empty kitchen sink
93. Having lunch al fresco
94. Lying in the hammock
95. When a flower blooms in a day
96. Watching your favorite movie for the 100th time and still loving it.
97. Hearing your favorite song for the 100th time and still loving it.
98. Arner Adventures
99. 988
100. Being told, “You deserve to see it get better.”
Be Gentle With Yourself
This is something that we all struggle with. It is easier to be hard on ourselves and not dig to find the things to be grateful for when we are in a season of life that is super challenging.
Consider making your own list. Whether it is something you write into a gratitude journal or place one item each day or week in a jar (we do this each week and read them at the end of the year), do something to remind yourself that good things exist.
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, we urge you to seek help from a mental health professional or a helpline.
In the United States, you can contact the 988 Lifeline by calling 988 or texting 988 for immediate assistance. Please prioritize your well-being, and remember that help and hope are available.
It may also help to know that you are not alone. You can read about how I feel unstable and the ways I try to cope.
