We appreciate Rose Morrison’s article, Reflecting to Become More Grateful This Season, with helpful tips to experience Thanksgiving and the holidays with family and friends.
Many thanks to Rose for her guest post for Slipcovers for Your Walls, casartblog for Casart Coverings, removable wallpaper and decor. Be sure to read Rose’s bio at the end.
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People begin to look back on their year when it comes to an end, and you may want to, as well. Reflecting on what you have and the things you’ve accomplished is an excellent way to boost your gratitude. Here’s why it’s so good to practice and how to reflect more often over the next few weeks.
What Does Reflecting on Gratitude Mean?
Gratitude is the feeling of thankfulness. You might feel it when someone holds the door open for you or a loved one shows up with a meal when you’re in need.
People can only recognize something they appreciate because they know the lack of it would be a loss. Reflection points out what you do and don’t have. It’s a vital part of becoming more grateful for what you have, like time with family or belongings.
Ways to Reflect This Year
If you’re unsure how to practice gratitude daily, use these tips to reflect more often. Minor changes to your routine could result in additional time and energy to foster appreciation.
1. Schedule Quiet Time
It’s much easier to reflect when you have some quiet time. Research shows people between 25 and 54 spend an average of four hours daily on leisure activities, but that doesn’t mean you’re relaxing. It could include listening to a podcast while commuting or another multitasking activity.
Revisit your schedule to see how much quiet time you can add to your day. It might mean going to bed 10 minutes later so you can sit on your back porch, take deep breaths and think about the people you love.
You could also use your newly found free time to make a gratitude journal. Once you have a few things written down, you’ll know what to think about during your reflection time.
2. Review Your Budget
Financial stress affects everyone. There’s always another thing draining your bank account besides utility or credit card bills. Additionally, you may feel more stressed about not doing enough when you check your credit card accounts. Interest rates increase your overall debt spending by making you pay more over time, especially for people with large balances.
It’s good to focus on financial goals, but they steal your attention away from what you’ve already accomplished. Set aside time to review your budget and reflect on your financial success afterward.
You likely have things to be grateful for, like the car you drive or the savings you’ve set aside. Recognize how those things benefit you to foster more gratitude in every aspect of your life.
3. Catch Negative Thoughts
Thoughts are instinctive. You may not control each thing that passes through your mind, but you can slowly recognize the thoughts stealing your gratitude with practice. It’s an essential way to change your mindset and become more grateful all year.
First, you’ll need to track when or how the negative thoughts enter your mind. Try journaling on your phone or in a notebook to see when you’re most focused on things preventing you from being grateful. Your notes may indicate a specific time of day to practice your new gratitude routine so it’s most helpful.
You could also experience generally heightened anxiety during the winter because you’re getting less sunlight. Sunshine boosts your serotonin levels, making people feel instantly happier. Winter means shorter days, so a sunlight simulator could be another tool to prevent negative thoughts from reducing your gratitude.
However, some people prefer darkness because light drives them to stay busy. Heavy blinds would set a calmer mood in your living space to help your mind slow down.
Your journaling may indicate you’re unhappy at home, which has a few solutions. You could work on relationships with your family members or roommates to feel more grateful for your home environment. Redecorating is another way to claim your space and love your life.
You might appreciate framed nature art in your home because it reduces anxiety. Seeing natural elements like plants or wild animals minimizes anxiety symptoms even when those elements aren’t real. Once you have less stress or anxiety, it’s easier to release the reduced number of negative thoughts making you feel unhappy about your life.
Source: Casart Decor Chinoiserie Collection & Casart Chinoiserie Designs (main website)
4. Restore Your Energy Naturally
Drinking lots of energy drinks or eating foods that cause sugar rushes leads to crashes. It’s much more challenging to feel grateful when you’re grumpy. If low energy keeps you from appreciating what you have, consider restoring it naturally through your nutrition and sleep routine.
Using electronics 30 minutes before bed reduces your overall sleep quality throughout the night. Spend that time with your gratitude journal instead or reflect on what you love about your life while meditating.
Adjusting your daily diet may give you the energy to maintain a positive attitude. Swap processed foods for whole grains or natural items that don’t contain tons of sugar. You’ll appreciate the occasional sweet treat more and stabilize your energy.
Drinking more water will also help you avoid the discontentment that comes with feeling low energy. Carry a bottle for convenience or keep your sparkling water cold with a can cooler that matches your personality. Having it within reach will keep you hydrated and feeling your best.
5. Delegate More Often
It’s challenging to become more grateful when you feel overwhelmed by responsibilities. Try delegating what you can to see how it affects your stress levels. Giving tasks to others equipped to handle them will conserve and restore your energy. You’ll feel more at peace with your life because your mental health is in a better place.
You’ll also gain more time to relax and reflect on what makes you grateful. The time could inspire you to upgrade your sense of style as you realize what you love about yourself. You’ll appreciate yourself, your belongings and your relationships more when daily responsibilities don’t steal your focus.
Source: Casart Tabletop Decor
6. Talk with an Accountability Buddy
A recent study found accountability improved each participant’s commitment to their goals. It might feel silly to ask someone to be your gratitude accountability buddy, but it might be best for everyone involved.
You’ll work together to reinforce reflection periods and discuss what you learn from your thoughtful practice. The gentle reminders to practice your new habits will keep you both committed to the positive change you want to make.
Another person’s perspective may also be the last bit of help you need to become more grateful this season. A loved one may point out things you take for granted, like your comfy couch or good health. Their recognition may reveal more ways to love your life, making gratitude easier to achieve.
Try Reflecting Throughout Your Week
Becoming more grateful is a great aspiration that’s easier to achieve with reflection. Use these tips to reflect more often. Taking care of your mental health and adjusting your routine will help you appreciate more things about your life and feel content right where you are.
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Additional posts & resources:
- Dishes & Designs for a Fun Thanksgiving Colorful Pairing
- Does Interior Design Affect Our Mental Health
- Peace of Mind in Design
- Interior Design for Wellbeing
- Fall decorating ideas
- Autumn seasonal posts
Many thanks to Rose for this inspirational article on reflecting on more ways to be grateful this holiday season.
About the author:
Rose Morrison is a home improvement and design writer.
She is also the managing editor of Renovated. Follow her on Twitter to see more of her work.
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