Selfcare: Practising gratitude

Life is a journey and we are all doing our best to navigate it while focusing on our next goal. Yet in the crazy race of capitalism and social media competition, we often forget the importance of the little things that keep us truly happy. 

When I started my 2nd job, I noticed that my new boss always started the calls with the team with each person stating what they are grateful for in the current week. Some would focus on family, friends, achievements, vacations, or even the weather. Regardless of how big or small it was, it reminded me of the little that we need to be happy. 

The whole point of the “exercise” was to help us reset and focus more on the positive while starting a meeting focused more on “business” than on the individual. Also, helps relieve any stress or anxiety about what is coming up next. 

In a world where we think we can be and do anything, it’s important to understand that the journey is worth celebrating and also the lessons learned in the process. 

I’ve always characterized myself as a hustler, always looking for more, doing more, and forcing the limits on all my resources. I am between living in the moment and preparing for the future. Sometimes this lifestyle leaves me with a bit of frustration for not being able to do everything in the 24h including 7h of sleep. Furthermore, even when big achievements are made, I tend to focus on the next big item forgetting to celebrate and take pride in what I’ve accomplished. 

Capitalism is teaching us that we will never be and have enough. 

We live in the best time of human history, yet we are feeling the worst about it. We can play the victim and blame it on the others or even on us for our decisions, or we can acknowledge that the game has changed and we are just now finding the rules to play it. 

Coming from an ex-communist country, I consider Capitalism the smaller evil. Many people are bashing the system not understanding what the alternatives are. Therefore, I consider that it is we who need to learn and adapt, instead of giving up and blaming it on something that we have little to no power over. 

So how can we tame the beast?

Learned that not everything is about competition and things. 

We are perfectly happy with what we have as long as we acknowledge what it is that we are having. 

To me, taking time with myself and making a list of what I am grateful for helps with the anxiety of not knowing if I am capable of doing the next big thing as well as grounding me in the present moment. 

Helps me understand my desires and see what is useful and what is coping, and what are the important things/experiences/people. Also, helps me identify what is not relevant, even if at first it might look differently. 

When I get lost in the rat race of wanting something else and looking to buy my next round of happiness, I slow down and look at what I have from the “bird view”. I think of how little importance it has 5 years from now and understand that it might not be worth it. Or maybe the opposite is true, maybe I realize that it is worth the struggle now if it’s going to pay off in the future. 

“Imagine time is like a cake. Each day you only get one. I am quick to give it away. And often find myself licking the crumbs. The requests keep coming if you don’t draw the line. I resolve, from this day forward, to protect my cake.” – Chanel Miller

Today I am grateful for the weather, for summer, and the sun. I am grateful for taking the time to write this down as well as for the coffee that sits next to me.

What are you grateful for today?