In 2013 and 2019, I completed this fun gratitude worksheet (which you can find here). It was very interesting to look back on my answers—in a not-surprising turn of events, a lot has changed in a decade! I thought I’d return to this worksheet to reflect on all of the different ways I’m feeling gratitude and thankfulness right now. Part II will come next week. 🙂
1) I’m most thankful for my ability to live an independent life. It’s something that can be all too easy to take for granted. I am able-bodied, I am financially secure, and I was born at a time when I didn’t need to be married to have something as simple as a bank account. I love the independence that comes with living on my own and making my own schedule, and I am so grateful for the ability to do that.
2) At this moment, the thing I love most about my family is their acceptance of me. Since the last time I completed this survey, I have come out to both my mom and my brother. Even though I know they love me and want what’s best for me, I was worried about how coming out would change our relationship. Did they need some time to process this news? Yes, of course, and I don’t fault them for that at all. But it didn’t change our relationship at all, and perhaps even made it stronger now that I’m not hiding such a big piece of my identity from them.
3) Something that made me smile today was watching the girls get excited when I brought out some Christmas garland. What is it about shiny garland that they think is the most delightful place to sleep? We have beds, girls! Lots of them!
4) The best thing I smelled today was the scent from my air freshener. The scent is from Bath & Body Works and it’s “pumpkin apple.” I kept getting a delicious waft of it as I worked in my kitchen this evening.
5) One of the memories I’m most grateful for is book club vacations. We have had many wonderful trips, although we’ve put our vacationing on hold starting in 2020. We’re hoping to make a 2024 vacation happen. I miss traveling with my friends!
6) Thank goodness someone taught me how to French braid my hair! I am thankful to my friends for showing me in person and helping me figure out the mechanics of it. I’m also thankful to YouTube tutorials that helped me get the intricacies of French braiding down pat. I was able to cross off a 2023 goal because of it!
11) The best song I heard today was New Romantics by Taylor Swift. I had to run some errands during lunch and queued up my Taylor Swift playlist on Spotify to get me through the driving.
12) When I look inside my closet, I’m grateful for the clothes that make me feel good. I no longer wear clothes that don’t make me feel good. If I feel awkward or uncomfortable in something, it goes straight into a bag that I’ll take to Goodwill. Life is too short to wear clothes that don’t make me feel amazing!
13) I’m lucky that I’m smart enough to figure out how to help myself. I am a problem solver by nature, so this means when I’m going through any sort of anxiety spiral, stressful moment, or depressive episode, I want to solve the problem. Sometimes, there is no way to solve it, but oftentimes, there is. It’s scheduling an emergency therapy appointment, taking a mental health day from work, or reaching out to a friend. I have learned what I need to do when I do start feeling mentally unwell, and I make it happen.
14) In this moment, what I love most about my friends is their honesty and vulnerability with me. Mental health is a big subject within my friend group because we all struggle in some way, and knowing these friends have my back when I’m going through something hard is priceless.
15) I’m grateful that my hands can hold a warm Starbucks peppermint mocha because it is FINALLY peppermint mocha season, and I am here for it!
What has made you smile today?
I’m drinking a coffee RIGHT NOW to which I added Peppermint Mocha creamer. And I am HERE. FOR. IT!
(Fun fact: I’ve never had a single thing from Starbucks in my life!).
Oh your kitties on the garland! So cute!
Something that made me smile today was how astonished my daughter was by the sky and clouds on our drive to school. She kept exclaiming over the clouds — which were pretty, to be sure — and borrowed my phone to take pictures. She even wanted me to open the sunroof so she could get a better view. I love how excited she gets about the world. It makes me happy, and it makes me look at things in a new way too.
What has made you smile today? This post for starters. Plus a pot of black coffee brewed at home this morning that I’m drinking like it’s the key to life. Maybe it is?
Reading this list made me smile today! Heck yes to #12! And #15. That made me want a Starbucks drink so badly. LOL.
I love that you’re able to include #2 on your list this time. And that you all are thinking of bringing the girls trips back in 2024. Woo hoo! It’s been too long!
Alright the Peppermint Mocha comes popping up here everywhere I look. I dont think Starbucks sells that in Germany but I will have to check.
That said: I love. this gratitude check in. And book club vacations?! Tell me more please. This sounds amazing. I envy your book friends. Silent book club. Bookclub Escape games, Book club. vacation. Really something to be. grateful for.
Oh my gosh #1 for sure. There are no words to express how grateful I am for that.
Book club trips sound awesome!
These are all WONDERFUL things— I smiled the whole time I read this 🙂
My dad’s cat ate some of that garland once and got sick, you’re lucky that your girls don’t do that! His other cat had no interest. I liked your list, and especially the idea that you feel closer to your mom and brother after coming out, because you don’t have to hide your true self from them. That is lovely.
I caught Lila eating some garland and then she barfed it up. At least it was sparkly barf! LOL. But I’m going to keep them away from the garland now, no matter how cute they look sleeping on it!
IT’S PEPPERMINT CHOCOLATE SEASON BABY!
I am 100% with you on the clothes. Life is too short to wear clothes that don’t make you feel fabulous!
I’m so proud of you for coming out AND for being open about your mental health challenges. I just listened to your latest pod episode yesterday about mental health, and I was so proud of you and Bri for being open and honest.
Thank you, friend. <3 I'm really proud of that episode!
I like mint flavor (mint chocolate chip, after eight, etc.), so I’d probably be a fan of the peppermint moccha, but I never had it. Might have to remedy that.
This was sun a fun list to be thankful for, Stephany. It’s always good to reflect this time of year and I agree that it’s wonderful that women can now live independent lives AND come out and live life on their own terms!
What a wonderful list. There is nothing like (finally) being yourself, in every part of your life. <3
And I am now searching to see if I can find non-dairy peppermint creamer for my coffee… Thanks!