The Heart of Gratitude (Without the Cheesy Hallmark Nonsense)

A Thanksgiving practice for people who are grateful… but also tired.

The Vibe.

Ah, Thanksgiving. That magical time of year when we gather with loved ones, eat ourselves into a gentle coma, and silently pray no one brings up politics, parenting choices, or why you’re still not making your grandmother’s recipe correctly.

But underneath all the chaos, casseroles, and emotional landmines, there’s something real: gratitude. And not the Instagram-caption version—real, human gratitude that feels grounding, imperfect, and occasionally hilarious.

You might’ve already checked out my post on Five Ways to Keep Your Chill During the Holiday Hustle—but, let’s be honest, staying chill is an Olympic sport this time of year, and gratitude is one of the only tools that doesn’t require a prescription, a therapist on speed dial, or leaving the country.

I began my own gratitude practice a couple of months ago and, against all odds, I’m still doing it. Instead of giving you the play-by-play of how, I’ll cut to the chase: it has completely transformed my mood, my mindset, and honestly, my whole vibe.

So let’s dig into a gratitude practice that won’t make you roll your eyes.

1. Start Small: Be Grateful for the Petty Stuff

Sure, you can be grateful for “health,” “family,” and “the abundance of the harvest” (who are we, 1800s pilgrims?). But honestly, some days the gratitude well runs dry and all you’ve got is:

• “My coffee came out exactly right today.”

• “My jeans still button.”

• “My children didn’t scream-fight before 9 am.”

• “My dog didn’t pee on my Pilates foam rollers today.”

  
  

Guess what? That counts.

Gratitude doesn’t have to be spiritually transcendent. Sometimes it’s just noticing the tiny wins that kept you from screaming into a decorative pillow.

2. Turn Gratitude Into a Low-Effort Ritual

We’re not talking about a 45-minute journaling session with essential oils, Tibetan bells, and a linen-bound notebook that costs more than your grocery bill. There's nothing wrong with that, but in all honesty, I set a timer for a minute and lately, I find I need MORE time!

But, for starters, try something more… realistic:

• Say one thing you’re grateful for while you brush your teeth in the morning (*Habit stacking!*)

• Text your best friend: “Grateful for you and the unhinged memes you send me when I need a good laugh!”

• Whisper “thank you” to your bed when you collapse into it like a Victorian heroine fainting onto a chaise.

  
  

In my Holiday Hustle post, I told you to prioritize meaningful connection. This is the same thing—just with fewer expectations and more laughs.

3. Use Gratitude as a Micro-Rebellion

Here’s the secret: Gratitude is basically the middle finger to chaos. It’s the emotional equivalent of saying, “Everything is bonkers, but I still choose joy, you can’t stop me.”

When things feel overwhelming:

• Be grateful for the one calm breath you manage to take.

• Be grateful you walked away instead of getting into a fight about the proper way to brine a turkey.

• Be grateful for the boundaries you held (or attempted to hold).

  
  

Gratitude doesn’t erase the chaos. It just keeps you from getting swallowed whole by it.

4. Let Gratitude Soften You… Just a Little

Thanksgiving can be messy. Families are messy. Life is messy.

Yet there’s always one moment—maybe half a second—where the noise quiets, the food smells perfect, the candles flicker, and your heart does that soft little “oh.”

Catch that moment. Hold it tightly. That’s gratitude doing its slow magic.

It doesn’t need to be profound. It just needs to be honest.

5. Extend Gratitude Like a Warm, Mildly Sarcastic Hug

Gratitude becomes even more powerful when you turn it into action… especially tiny, low-pressure actions:

• Tell someone they made your life easier this year.

• Give a sincere compliment to the overworked grocery cashier.

• Offer help where it actually feels good—not out of guilt or obligation.

• Let someone else have the last biscuit. (Optional. You are not obligated to be that generous.)

  
  

Gratitude that moves outward creates community, connection, and fewer family arguments. (Probably.)

In Case You Need Permission: You Don’t Have to Be Grateful for Everything

It is entirely acceptable to not be grateful for:

• Burnt stuffing

• Travel delays

• Passive-aggressive comments

• The person who brought salad to Thanksgiving

• Your lower back deciding to age ten years overnight (Wear supportive shoes while cooking! But I digress...)

  
  

Gratitude is a tool, not a moral requirement.

This Thanksgiving, Choose the Easy Version

Be grateful for what’s good. Laugh at what’s absurd. Release what’s draining. Eat what’s delicious.

Nap like it’s your patriotic duty!

And if all else fails? Be grateful for leftovers—they’re the true holiday miracle.

So as you head into Thanksgiving armed with gratitude instead of gritted teeth, let it shift the way you move through the season. Because no matter what your aunt says about your life choices, you deserve to feel your best at every age.