In a fast-paced world where we have a million things on our minds and our to-do lists, it can be easy to miss the small, meaningful moments in life. These moments serve as reminders that life is full of love, human connection, and things to be grateful for. The little things, a kind word, laughing with friends, or enjoying a hot cup of coffee may not erase hardships, but they can help ease our anxiety, depression, and increase our overall well being.
Gratitude is a mindset; it is more than saying “thank you” and being polite. Practicing gratitude helps us notice the good in everyday things, even when life gets tough. For many people, especially those living with disabilities, chronic illness, or neurological differences, gratitude can be a very useful grounding tool.
What Gratitude Really Means
Gratitude is defined as “the appreciation of what is valuable and meaningful to oneself, and a general state of thankfulness or appreciation.” Which means, gratitude is the ability to recognize good things, big or small, and to connect them with a sense of appreciation. What we appreciate in life differs from person to person, but many times humans tend to overlook the small things. Taking a hot shower, enjoying the fresh air, reading a good book, are all small, daily things we do that are sometimes taken for granted. By stopping and appreciating these daily things we have a gratitude mindset.
But gratitude does not mean pretending everything is perfect. It’s about balance, acknowledging that we do have daily difficulties, but we also have moments of peace that coexist alongside them.
Examples of everyday gratitude might include:
- Appreciating a supportive message
- Noticing your body for what it can do
- Feeling thankful for a friend who listens
- Recognizing small wins (finishing a task, showing up, getting through the day)
- Practicing self-care
What is Toxic Positivity
It’s important to note that gratitude does not mean we ignore our negative feelings. That is what toxic positivity is, which can be harmful to practice and hurt the people we care for. Toxic positivity pressures us to stay positive no matter what the circumstances. It preaches that any situation can be looked at in a positive light, which is not always true. Gratitude makes space for complex situations. Humans are complex and we are allowed to say this situation is really hard or unfair, but we can still be grateful for the things and people who help us get through the hard times. The distinction between toxic positivity and gratitude matters, especially in communities where people may face daily physical, social, or emotional challenges. Gratitude doesn’t dismiss pain; It acknowledges resilience.
Why Gratitude Matters
Research consistently shows that gratitude supports mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. People who practice gratitude regularly tend to report:
- Greater happiness and life satisfaction.
- Improved sleep
- Lower stress levels
- Stronger social bonds
- Higher empathy
- A deeper sense of purpose
By choosing to notice what’s good, even in the ways of ways, we change our mindset and allow for more positive moments in between the harder ones. We do not use gratitude to minimize our pain, but to highlight the positive in our everyday lives.
