I’m not sure if it’s the stress I’ve been under because of the financial stuff and the marital stuff and the kid stuff and the life-in-general stuff, but even after writing yesterday’s post about the things that really matter, my mind this morning goes immediately to the shit that pisses me off.
Why am I having such a hard time focusing on all the things I have to be grateful for instead of the things that don’t go exactly as planned or the dumb things that people do, especially when they are not life-threatening or life-altering?
I don’t know.
A year or so ago I was starting my day off by writing three things I was grateful for in my bullet journal, and somehow I veered off track with that.
Actually, I didn’t veer off track. I took a flying leap off the wagon. I just took a look back in my journal, and the last month I did that was in February!
February!!!
It’s July 2nd. We are officially in the 2nd half of the year. I want to get back on track.
I want to wake up feeling happy. I want to wake up and focus on the good rather than obsessing over the bad.
Actually, it’s not even really bad. It’s just… not ideal.
I’m wasting energy and brain space focusing on stuff that is just not ideal.
Stupid.
But it’s become an automatic habit.
So I thought I’d share three things I’m grateful for today here because I need to rewire and retrain my brain.
And I’m pretty sure the gratitude list made a big difference.
Who knows. Maybe I’ll share three things every day. Maybe I’ll do it once a week.
Maybe I’ll never share them again.
But right now, I feel the need to share three things I am grateful for because I want to get to the place where I automatically focus on the good stuff and not the less than perfect stuff.
So….
Three Things I Am Grateful For Today:
1) I could complain about the logistical craziness I go through every day to get the kids where they need to be. But in reality, I have two parents and a whole bunch of friends who are able and willing to help me out on a daily basis so I can get everyone where they need to be. There are plenty of people who are not as fortunate as me in that department.
I am so grateful to have so much support!!!
2) We are going to a barbecue later this afternoon. My husband is working today and I don’t know if he’ll be home in time for us to leave and my brain wants to go right to being annoyed that he can’t be home in time for us to all go together, but there was a time when my husband didn’t have a job to go to at all, so…
I am SUPER grateful that my husband has plenty of work!
3) It’s 4th of July weekend, and tomorrow and Monday, for two whole days, I have no swim practice to go to, no swim meets to coach, and no baseball games to watch. We have nothing scheduled for two whole free days!!!
It’s a miracle, and I’m definitely grateful for that!
Lots to be thankful for! What are YOU thankful for?
I’m grateful I get to read your blog every day. It’s so honest and brilliant thank you x
Thank you, Clare!
It is quite funny that I got into your blog, for last few days I feel powerless, overwhelmed, tired…maybe it’s a good idea to write 3 things what we are grateful for every morning. I don’t like to be in this kind of mood because later I feel guilty that in some way I am stealing the time from my kids and instead of doing something with them I am just wasting the time to worries and negative thoughts. I want to come back on track, and definitely will try your advice.
Thank you
Great post: Today’s short list:
1) grateful for my kids’ super relationship with their long distance cousins – they have been visiting, and there has been so much good will, laughter and kindness.
2) grateful for how punctual people (other than me) are in the UK!! Kiddo’s birthday party is this aft. Start time – 1 p.m. We needed to leave by 1:15 to get to bowling alley on time. By 1:05, everyone was accounted for.
3) grateful for kids who are old enough to articulate really interesting thoughts and young enough to share with me the contents of their brains.
Xx
Ps – as a codicil to no,. (2/3), grateful my eldest is now old enough to want a party with a few best buds rather than an entire class affair — the list of thank you cards to write is mercifully short, and the thanks will in each case be heart felt.