Photo by Preslie Hirsch on Unsplash
Alright guys, bare with me here because things are about to get sappy.
You’re sick of hearing about this pandemic. I know you are. I am too. Everyone is. But one positive thing COVID-19 brought out was our need to be grateful.
Expressing gratitude is scientifically proven to improve your mood and lower stress. Sounds pretty easy to me. So here are the top five things I’m thankful for.
1. Family
You love your spouse and kids, but you’re sick of looking at them. It’s okay to admit it.
Photo by Emma Bauso from Pexels
Quarantine didn’t just force us to remain inside. It forced us inside with our loved ones. Before we knew it, we knew our partner, children, and parents better than ever. And they have some interesting and annoying habits.
But the love and support from your family is what’s getting you through this time. They may drive you insane today but tomorrow you’ll need the comfort of their hug.
One of my favorite holiday movies is Home Alone. Kevin’s journey is like ours right now.
He hates how crowded his family is. When they “disappear” he’s elated. He has the run of the house. When burglars target him, he has to be the grown-up. By the end he realizes being alone is not as great as he thought it’d be. He misses his mom, his siblings. He misses his family.
Watch this film again this year and consider the lesson. Believe me, you’ll be hugging and kissing your loved ones when the credits roll.
It’s natural to get on each other’s nerves when stuck together. But the good always outweighs the bad. Home Alone is a great film to remind us to be thankful for family this season.
2. Friends
Why didn’t I put family and friends together? Because friends deserve their own list.
Friends give similar support like family, but the difference is you’re not used to seeing them every day. Yes, you text and chat on the phone. You get dinner every other weekend. You hit up the local bar to dance and vent. But physically seeing them day to day isn’t the norm.
When the pandemic hit, those weekend plans were postponed. Bars and restaurants were closed and so you had to get creative. Wine Zoom parties. Saturday night dinner via Google Meets.
It was difficult, but you made it work.
Show your friends you appreciate them by sending a care package. Throw together a little spa kit and drop it off at their door. Send them a “Thank You for Being My Friend” card. Create a collage with old photos of you together and label it, “Soon!”
A check-in text or call will never go out of style. Everyone is dealing with this pandemic differently. People are losing loved ones. Now, more than ever, we need to check in on the friends we don’t see every day.
Tell them you’re grateful for them. Crack a cheesy joke to make them laugh. Smile knowing you’re looking out for each other.
3. Technology
Imagine if this pandemic happened 10 or 20 years ago?
I saw a funny meme about this. It said if this pandemic happened in the 1990s no one would be able to afford the Blockbuster late fees. For those of you reading this who still remember Blockbuster, you know what I’m talking about.
Not to mention, the old text messaging data rates. The limited number of minutes. You wouldn’t even want to look at your bill when it came in.
I guess we can be thankful the pandemic struck in a time when technology has never been better.
We have FaceTime, Google Meets, Zoom, Skype, and more. There are so many ways for us to connect to our distant loved ones and friends.
Birthdays were celebrated over Zoom. Movie nights were had over FaceTime. Work meetings in pajama bottoms. Events even went virtual. Technology today is certainly something to be thankful for.
4. Walking
Photo by Noelle Otto from Pexels
Who doesn’t love a good workout? Wait, did I write that?
Did you notice the number of people outside walking? Was it more than usual? Without a doubt.
With the closing of gyms, people had to get creative with their workouts. Most took to the local streets, running or using at-home equipment.
For people who typically didn’t do much exercise, this pandemic brought them something new to do: walk.
Walking became the way people “broke out” of their homes.
A safe activity, you can easily social distance if walking with a neighbor. Dogs were never walked more than during this pandemic. And since the height of the quarantine was in the summer, the weather was perfect for getting out.
A daily walk is known to increase your mood and lower stress levels. All you need is 20 to 30 minutes. For those who don't have a backyard or balcony, walking was their way to get fresh air. The simple act was crucial for maintaining some level of sanity.
With winter coming, I don’t think it’ll stop people from walking. Depending on your location, adding an extra layer is all you need to get out and enjoy a 30-minute stroll.
5. Frontline Workers
It wouldn’t be a gratitude post if we didn’t give a shout-out to the frontline workers.
Photo by Luke Jones on Unsplash
If you work in retail or know someone in retail, more than likely, you’ve heard some stories. Customer rants, crazy requests, unsupervised toddlers running amok. Retail is never lacking for stories that make you shake your head in disbelief.
Don’t be a bad retail story. Be a good retail story. Don’t be the customer the employee tells their loved ones ruined their day. Be the customer the employee tells their loved ones made their day.
Next time you’re checking out of the grocery store, tell the employee you appreciate the hard work they’re doing. Give a bigger tip to your server at Dunkin or Starbucks. Send a thank you note to your local waste management company. Leave snacks for delivery drivers. If you know a nurse or doctor, call and thank them.
Put a handmade sign on your lawn or in your window. State your appreciation proudly.
Certain people didn’t expect their jobs to become as essential as they did. A little appreciation can make not just their day, but their week.
I’m grateful for you. I’m grateful for the help I can provide you during these uncertain times. I’m grateful for being able to bring some kind of peace and tranquility into your life.
Know that I’m here for you. Schedule a consultation and let’s talk. Tell me who or what you’re grateful for this season? Let’s pay kindness forward this season.