Not Your Grandma’s Gratitude Practice
Practicing Gratitude When Life Isn’t Just “Good Vibes Only”
Hey there, Erin here! This week’s blog is all about kicking off the November theme of Gratitude. This isn’t your grandma’s gratitude practice, or the midwestern “Live. Laugh. Love.” Ready for a little rebellion?
I always find myself wanting to do the opposite of what everyone else does. It’s like my mind naturally always wants to rebel…for the record, I also want to naturally rebel against my own rules and guidelines which can be mentally exhausting and confusing, but I can’t already start this blog off with a side salad. (If you’re new here, a side salad is what I like to call a side story.)
Many of us talk about “gratitude” in November and around Thanksgiving and that’s about it. We made little gratitude trees or when we were in elementary school we had to say what we were grateful for, and that was the end of our gratitude journey.
Fast forward to me practicing yoga. I would listen to teachers talk about gratitude in a different way. It wasn’t just being thankful for your parents, your family, or whatever, it was always much deeper than that.
Fast forward again to me owning the studio. We decided one year that we were going to focus all of November on the theme of “Gratitude.” We would do “Gratitude” challenges, theme our classes, create playlists, and I would write blogs and emails about it. Here’s what we found out… if you want to cultivate a gratitude practice, you have to start the practice when it’s easy.
At first, I was rebelling against the idea of practicing gratitude in November. Why? Because it’s cliche, and every other f*cking yoga studio and whatever else does gratitude in November. But then, because I always rebel against my own rebellion, I realized that it was actually more rebellious to fully lean in.
“I’m grateful” flows like a river of wine at Thanksgiving when life is good. Think of practicing gratitude when it’s easy as the same concept of “saving for a rainy day.”
For the record, we aren’t practicing gratitude for a “Good Vibes Only” life. That sh*t is not real. Life happens, sh*t hits the fan and there we are…covered in it. And, if you’re going through something right now reading this blog, I’m sure all you want to say is, “...and I’m supposed to be grateful for being covered in sh*t?” … yeah, HARD NO girlfriend. Def don’t be grateful for that, that’s weird.
I don’t think you should be grateful for sh*t, but you should be grateful for the towel to help wipe all that sh*t off. Okay, I’m done talking in metaphors because I’m driving myself crazy. Now let’s talk science and gratitude.
Whether you keep a gratitude journal or write down what you’re grateful for, a study from the University of California, Berkeley, found that practicing gratitude can rewire your brain. The participants showed, with brain scans, increased activity in their prefrontal cortex, which is associated with decision-making and social bonding. Basically, they felt better about their lives.
The Journal of Positive Psychology shows gratitude practices can actually decrease stress and increase optimism. The impact shows better sleep, stronger immune systems, and fewer health issues.
Okay, one more, just for fun… how can practicing gratitude specifically impact entrepreneurs? It makes you a better leader, more resilient and generates more empathy. Studies show that practicing gratitude can help us connect better with our teams, clients, and networks. I don’t know about you, but if you’ve ever hit a point where you just couldn’t take another client's email, practicing gratitude can help prevent future client burnout.
Reality Inventory: A Mindfulness Exercise
I’m not going to ask you to tell me three things you’re grateful for but for this reality inventory let’s first discuss your own accountability with gratitude.
Remember it’s not all about “Good Vibes” or the warm and fuzzies… here are three (3) questions to ask yourself if you want to practice gratitude in a deeper more mindful way.
What am I overlooking or taking for granted? Think about the people in your life who support you, the resources you have, the skills you’re honing. Identify what’s right there, that you maybe haven’t been appreciating.
How am I showing gratitude to others? It’s easy to say “I’m grateful for my team” or “I appreciate my clients,” but are you showing it? Send a thank-you note, express appreciation in a meeting, or take five minutes to connect with someone without a business agenda. TELL THEM.
What excuses am I leaning on? Sometimes, our complaints can overshadow what’s actually going well. Try calling yourself out on any of those little “woe is me” moments. A reality check will help you see if you’re missing out on the gratitude that’s staring you in the face. (Personally, I’ve been complaining a lot lately, and even I was getting sick of it. This one is one I check myself often with.)
Practice gratitude when it’s easy because life will get messy. It’s not about floating through life as “Good Vibes Only,” it’s about grounding yourself when you feel like life is a mess. Start now in November, when it’s all around you.
Remember…No fake optimism. No gratitude for the actual sh*t. It’s about real appreciation. It’s about being rebellious and leaning in to connect to your work, your people, and yourself.
You’re capable, you’re courageous, and gratitude - in its rawest form will keep you strong.