How I Show Gratitude – PLAYWORKEATREPEAT

Hello friends and happy Wednesday! It’s time for the November edition of Let’s lookand today we are discussing how we show gratitude.

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

But then I realized the prompt wasn’t about our gratitude, but about how we to show gratitude in the little things we do every day. And, of course, the good English student in me (still my favorite subject in school) had to look up the definition of gratitude just to be sure.

Phew! I realized that I am grateful and I show it by noticing the little things and taking small actions to make life easier or brighter for the people around me. This is how I show gratitude in my world.

Small practical gestures

I’m a doer and I love doing things to make someone’s day easier. This can range from washing someone’s lunch containers that were left in the sink at work (we’re supposed to do our own) to offering to feed my neighbor’s cat while he’s in Fiji on vacation next week.

Humor

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

Show that you care

I think it’s really important to be consistent. Keeping my promises, really listening when someone speaks, and showing up when you say you will are all ways I try to show my gratitude.

Send a thoughtful text

I’m not a big card writer, but I 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 can go a long way. Holding the door or letting someone cut you in front while you’re driving (even if they don’t usually say thank you-hehe)

Give encouragement and recognition

It’s important to notice the effort, not just the result, and it’s always worth saying it out loud. Something as simple as “I saw how hard you worked on this” 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 your gratitude to your family

I’m a big believer in gratitude to family, and that shouldn’t be left at the front door. I text my husband and kids to let them know I’m thinking of them. Since we all work different hours and have days off that don’t match, I think it’s important to stay in communication. I learned this from my husband, who communicates much better than me.

I also like to recognize the little things my family does, like when someone unloads the dishwasher or takes out the trash, without being asked. My boys are good eggs and they deserve a thank you.

Gratitude towards myself

In addition to showing gratitude to others, I have learned 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 manage to do each day. Come on!

These are some of the ways I try to show my gratitude every day. I would also like to know how you do it. It’s amazing how little things can mean so much.

Reconnecting with Erika and Shay