Sometimes challenging situations, events, or life circumstances, make it feel tremendously difficult or even impossible to find moments of peace, joy, or gratitude. When you’re in a phase or situation in life where you’re struggling immensely, it makes total sense to not be able to practice gratitude often. During such times, beyond patiently sitting with the emotions that come up, validating them, and reassuring yourself in ways that feel supportive, a simple practice of noticing can become profoundly useful.
When we engage in the art of noticing, we don’t have to force or look for things that make us smile, we simply quite naturally begin to notice them more often. Only noticing can sometimes be enough to help us feel a little more relieved, at peace, or feel pleasant through our challenging days.
Noticing the little things, the tiny moments where you smiled, or a small comfort you experienced can all naturally evoke a feeling of appreciation and gratitude.
For example, in the Gratitude App, we reflect on prompts that help us notice more often, and bring attention to what more can be appreciated. Here’s an example to write about from our little things category: Write about a little win you had today, no matter how small.
Today, with this blog you may want to notice and reflect on those tiny things you may be able to feel gratitude for even during difficulty.
Creating space for gratitude in difficult seasons of life:
- Feeling grateful that you made it through the day
- Noticing one moment of relief, even if everything else felt heavy
- Being thankful for someone who checked in on you
- Appreciating your body for trying, even when it may feel weak
- Finding comfort in a familiar place, object, or routine
- Feeling supported by a kind message or a small gesture
- Being grateful for a few minutes of rest, stillness, or quiet
- Reflecting on all the people who’ve supported you until now
- Noticing something gentle in nature, like the warm sunlight, a cool breeze, or the birds singing
- Feeling thankful for a safe space to return to, internally or externally
- Revisiting old photographs that remind you of how far you’ve come, and your strength
- Allowing yourself to pause and breathe, even if just for a moment
- Being grateful for the strength it took to keep going and get here
- Finding comfort in music, food, or a familiar person or place
- Feeling thankful for the people who care for you, even from a distance
- Appreciating yourself for showing up in small ways, like drinking water
- Feeling grateful for a moment where your mind felt a little calmer
- Noticing that something felt slightly easier than yesterday
- Noticing a moment where you were able to breathe a little deeper
- Appreciating the parts of you that are still trying every moment
- Feeling grateful for a distraction that gave your mind some rest
- Noticing something around you that felt calm or grounding, like a soft blanket, a kid smiling, or an old book
- Being thankful for the ability to feel, even when it may be overwhelming
- Finding comfort in routines that bring a sense of stability, like early morning journalling or comforting drinks during the day
- Being grateful for the strength and courage it takes to ask for help, or consider it
- Noticing that you are still here, moving through it all
- Feeling thankful for the moments in the day that felt manageable
- Finding comfort in knowing that this moment will shift with time, and that it will pass
- Being grateful for the ability to pause and check in with yourself
- Appreciating the effort it takes to keep going with hope, even when you feel lost
It can be that simple sometimes, to notice and feel a sense of gratitude and hope in right here in this moment. Not easy, but simple.
I sincerely wish that this list along with the art of noticing can support you through difficult times and make it easier to create space for gratitude, joy and peace during those days.
I’d love to know what you think and how this new practice of noticing may help you in difficult moments. You can write to me at piyusha@gratefulness.me 💌
I hope this helps you experience more strength, courage, and a sense of grounding during difficult seasons 🌿 Until next time 🤍
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