The Importance of Gratitude During the Holidays

While gratitude should be considered a daily practice that isn’t just practiced during the holidays, the end of the year is when it’s expressed often by many people.

The odd thing that happens during the holidays is that people can get swept up in the material aspects of the holiday season. It’s hardly surprising that this happens because we are inundated with commercials selling us the latest and greatest new item. Sales abound and pumpkin spice lattes are everywhere.

It’s easy to forget what is important.

It’s important to remember gratitude as we race back and forth preparing for the holidays. Gratitude is really a process of checking in with our selves and being clear about what is truly important.

In order to be clear about what you’re thankful for you should take time to create a list of detailing successes, people who are in your life, and the things that bring you happiness.

Gratitude is defined by the Merriam Webster online dictionary as: “A feeling of appreciation or thanks.”

Ways to rediscover gratitude at holidays

What elicits this feeling in you? If you’re not feeling a sense of gratitude here are a few ways to rediscover a heartfelt sense of gratitude.

• Journal — Maybe you have some mindsets or thoughts that are keeping you from actively feeling gratitude on a daily basis. As you journal figure out ways to address those issues. Work with a professional if needed.

• Volunteer — Spend time with people who might not be in as good a position as you are. During the holidays volunteer opportunities are endless. You can volunteer with the homeless, work with kids, spend time in your faith-based organization, help out an event, and feed people on Thanksgiving.

• Listen to stories — Spend time speaking with other people. You’re not alone in this thing we call life. Connect with other people, share ideas, advice, and support. Record and share if everyone agrees and create a network of people who are in your corner.

• Donate — Give to others. If you don’t have money to give perhaps you have clothing, toiletries, or shoes that you can give to people in need. Do you love to stock up on toothpaste, soap, and travel sized toiletries? Do you have enough items in your home that you’re good for the next 2 years? Perhaps it’s time donate those items to someone who could use them now. Have you gained or lost weight and have clothes that you aren’t wearing? Free up some closet space and give clothes to people in need. 

• Spend time with your friends and family and do activities that create memories. Go hiking, travel, or assist a family member in need. Help your older relatives with a task that they are no longer able to manage on their own.

The amazing thing about being actively connected to a feeling of gratitude is that it changes one’s perspective about their own life and the lives of others.

Let’s be clear, being grateful for the good things in your life doesn’t mean that you forget the bad. We’re not proposing that you behave like Pollyanna, but we are proposing that life is a series of imperfect moments and that being grateful allows one to take a step back and look at your life’s “big picture.”

This post was written by Michelle Jackson, a personal finance and lifestyle blogger sharing her story at The Shop My Closet Project. Her goal is to help people cultivate their best life. When she’s not blogging or podcasting for Girl Gone Frugal you can find her riding her bike, going for coffee, or hiking in the mountains.