There is one daily practice that has served me very well during these mostly isolated pandemic times. It’s the thing I’ve turned to when I’ve felt myself start to complain or feel sorry for myself. It’s been so powerful it’s become my go-to practice when I start to feel glum for any reason whatsoever.

I get grateful.

Whether I’m in the shower, or laying my head down to sleep at night…
Whether I’m with my son, by myself or preparing for a call with a client…
Whether I’m in a good mood or not so, feeling expansive or like I want to hide under the covers for the day…

I get grateful.

I start listing out all of the things I’m grateful for – big or small – either in my journal or in my head, and immediately it shifts my attention away from whatever is pulling my energy into a contracted downward spiral. Before I know it, my energy starts to feel expansive, soft and light once again.

I highly recommend this as a daily practice – sometimes multiple times a day, if you need it!

There’s another thing I do each and every year in November. I write out a list of at least 100 things that I’m grateful for. This is how I celebrate and honor the year that I’ve had, even – and especially – if it’s been a very unexpected year like 2020 has been.

Here are some things I’m grateful for from 2020:

• Extra time with my son
• Space and time to get creative
• Craft supplies!
• My soft, comfy and warm bed
• Laughter
• Playing board games with my son
• Amazing friends around the globe
• Zoom and FaceTime
• Being able to work from home
• Childcare
• Colorado weather that allows us to be outside in winter, spring, summer and fall
• Naps
• Kale
• My support system
• Healthy immune system
• Being able to breathe easily, fully, healthfully
• Homecooked meals
• Bouncy balls
• Music
• Online ordering
• Take out
• Walking trails
• Dance parties with my son
• Hot baths
• Osteopathic energy work
• Ceiling fans
• My fireplace
• Home delivery
• Courage
• Trust in myself
• Netflix
• Books
• Early bedtimes
• Sunrises
• Sunsets
• Birdsong
• Pilates
• Peace
• My home
• My body
• Magic
• Toilet paper
• My camera

This is an incomplete list, but it will help you get the idea of what making a gratitude list can be all about.

Here’s another reason why this practice has been so important to me this year:

When life is feeling even more unpredictable than usual, my brain (all of our brains) likes to go into fear, worry, lack, scarcity, victimhood, and not-enoughness – as in I’m not enough, there isn’t enough, etc.

This state of mind does not feel good. And it likes to attract and breed with more things that do not feel good. Misery loves company, right? More than not feeling good, this state of mind will ensure you are not a match for what you really want.

Gratitude changes all of that.

Even if it’s been a crappy year for you, why not create a 2020 gratitude list of your own? Or start with a nightly list of things you are grateful for from that day? Why not focus on the good that’s in your life instead of how incredibly sucky it’s been? You’ll feel better, and your very reality can shift, too. You get to choose.

In this moment, what are you grateful for?

PS: This is one of many simple yet powerful practices and tools I share with my community. If you want to learn more, join us for free here.