#HEYGRRRLFRENNNS HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! …EVE! I hope that these next few days are restful, restorative, and filled with good food and memories with the people you love the most! HEAVY on the restorative. This year has been soo challenging in ways that I didn’t think it would be that I am ready to call it quits, even my keyboard is dying! I have to press extra hard on the caps lock just to get it to stop working. I PROMISE IM NOT YELLING!! As much as winter might be trying to hit us with its icy vibes and short days, let me tell you something: I am not letting it win. I’ve never felt more certain that I’m on the brink of something transformative. There’s a fire inside me that no amount of cold or early sunsets can extinguish. Is it possible to feel completely exhausted but at the same time ready to karate shop a house in half? Maybe it’s the adrenaline or maybe it’s my passion for radical self-care but as much as I want to turn my brain off it keeps buzzing with new ideas and glimpes into the future, too good for any grrrl to pass up! Lately, I’ve been choosing to trust my own intuition, drown out the noise, and move forward on my own terms. It’s not easy, though. There are soo many distractions, that come in the form of doubt that can cloud your judgement. That’s why I’ve been leaning into gratitude—not just as a feel-good exercise but as a practice that grounds me, lifts me, and reminds me of all abundance I already have.

Gratitude is more than a buzzword or a Thanksgiving hashtag; it’s a way of reconnecting with ourselves, each other, and the world around us. And the best part? It’s something we can all access, no matter where we are in life. Mind if I keep it real? I feel like I do a pretty good job of addressing ways to grow mentally and emotionally. Every now and then I will throw in some topics surrounding physical growth, which I tiptoe around because I don’t want to police anyone’s body (or really police anyone’s anything!). But I have never offered my opinion about spiritual growth and it’s probably for the same reason. Lately, I have really grown closer in my relationship with God and one of the ways that I feel most connected to God is through trying to remain grateful. Everything may seemingly be blowing up all around me but my gratitude is what helps me remain optimistic. I am grateful to live to see another day, I am grateful for my family and their health, I am grateful for the job that pays me, the roof over my head, the food in my fridge and the clothes on my back. With all of the distractions of everyday life it’s soo easy to take advantage of the small things that not everyone has the privilege to have. Today, let’s explore what it means to truly practice gratitude. I’m talking about the kind of gratitude that doesn’t feel forced or fake, but real and personal. The kind that makes you pause, smile, and feel a little more connected to yourself and your radical self-care journey. Whether you’re navigating a tough season, celebrating a big win, or simply trying to make it through the day, there’s space for gratitude in your life. Let’s get it grrrl!

Goodness Gracious

Life has its moments, doesn’t it? From work drama to personal challenges to that endless list of “should-dos,” it can be easy to fall into a spiral of frustration. Gratitude, though, can be the lifeline that pulls us back to shore. It doesn’t erase the tough stuff, but it helps you focus on the things that make the struggles worth it. Take a moment to think about a recent rough day. Maybe you overslept, , got stuck in traffic, or spilled coffee on your shirt. One thing about me I’m gonna miss my mouth and spill something on my shirt. That’s why this year for Thanksgiving I have back up options, as if I needed a reason to shop more. KA-CHING! Anyways, back to the plot: when life is getting a little chaotic, and not in the fun way, what’s one tiny thing that without a doubt could make you smile, even for a second? Maybe it was your favorite podcast keeping you entertained during that traffic jam or the barista who handed you a free cookie with your coffee. These aren’t earth-shattering moments, but they’re proof that even on the worst days, there’s a silver lining if you look for it. Building this mindset takes practice. Start small by ending your day with a reflection on the good things you experienced. You don’t need a fancy journal or a perfectly curated system—just take a quiet moment before bed to think about what went well. This could be a kind word from a coworker, a meal that hit the spot, or even the way the sunset looked out your window. Over time, this habit trains your mind to seek out the positive, even when it feels hidden.

Like You Mean It

When was the last time you genuinely thanked someone in a way that felt personal and heartfelt? Expressing gratitude out loud, or in writing, is one of the most powerful ways to connect with others and deepen relationships. It’s not just about saying, “Thanks for the ride” or “Thanks for the favor.” It’s about making someone feel seen, appreciated, and valued. Think about someone in your life who’s always there for you. Maybe it’s a friend who never fails to send a meme when you’re feeling down, a family member who checks in just because, or maybe you’re just grateful that it’s finally the weekend. TGIF! Take a moment to let them know how much they mean to you. For example, instead of a generic, “Thanks for being great,” you could say, “I really appreciate how you always seem to know when I need a laugh. Your support means so much to me.” The key here is specificity, make it come from the heart and don’t be afraid to be open and honest. When you call out exactly what you’re thankful for, it makes the gesture more meaningful. And here’s the bonus: expressing gratitude doesn’t just make the other person feel good, it reinforces those positive feelings in you too! Also, you really never know what someone is going through so a kind word here and there could make a world’s difference! Especially when it’s something that you have been thinking of saying but for some reason haven’t. Everyone likes to feel appreciated… and not that giving is about getting but the more you appreciate others the more normal that communication style becomes between you and that person. So, basically compliments and affirmations will flow effortlessly and your relationship will strengthen.

All Day Erry Day

Gratitude doesn’t have to be limited to holidays or special occasions. Yeah I said it, you do not have to wait for a big turkey to sit down on your table to start being grateful! In fact, the more you integrate it into your everyday life, the more it becomes second nature. Think of it as a muscle, the more you flex it, the stronger it gets. For my shy grrrlies this is also a muscle that you can flex whenever and wherever you want to with no gym needed! Can I get an Amen?? One way to keep gratitude alive is to weave it into your daily routines. For example, when you’re brushing your teeth in the morning, think of one thing you’re looking forward to that day or even think about how grateful you are to have teeth! Turkey smoothies sound disgusting, your pearly whites are going to come in handy. Gratitude is really that simple!! It could be something as simple as the first sip of coffee or a favorite show you’ll catch after work. At night, when you’re winding down, take a moment to reflect on something that brought you joy. These small, intentional pauses can transform the way you approach your day to day life. Another way to live gratitude is through action. If you’re thankful for the support of a friend, find a way to give back to them. If you’re grateful for your community, get involved in ways that make it better, whether it’s through volunteering or simply spreading kindness. Gratitude isn’t just a feeling, it’s something you live out in your choices and interactions.

Gratitude isn’t about being happy all the time or pretending everything’s okay. If it was I would be in big trouble grrrlfren. It’s about finding the good in the middle of the chaos, appreciating the connections that make life meaningful, and staying grounded in what truly matters. Gratitude can sound kind of overwhelming but it really doesn’t have to be. Starting small and taking in all of the little things that make you going through your day possible is perfectly fine! Now that I’m thinking about it this is also lowkey an underrated way to remain present and grounded. A win is a win! Radical self-care can be tricky because you are trying to heal from your past but also work towards your future leaving you kind of floating in limbo instead of having your feet firmly planted to the ground. Whatever your reason is for wanting to be more grateful, let’s commit to making it less of a holiday tradition and more of a way of life. Whether it’s through small reflections, meaningful conversations, or acts of kindness, there’s no wrong way to practice gratitude. The key is to make it your own—to let it be a reminder of the beauty and abundance that exists, even in the hardest moments. Now go and be great you lil grrrly pop! TTYL!