November has earned itself the name as the month to give thanks. It’s truly the perfect time to remember all the things you should be grateful for in your life.
As the end of the year and the bustle of the holidays approaches, it is so easy to get busy and caught up in everything going on. In all that busyness, it’s important not to forget to be thankful. Luckily, there are so many easy and quick ways to practice gratitude and incorporate them into your daily routine.
Like smiles, gratitude is contagious. Once you begin to really feel thankful and see all you have to be thankful for, you’ll be surprised by the impact it has on your life – and those around you!
Here are a few of my favorite ways to express gratitude every day during the month of November!
30 Days of Thanks
One of my favorite things about November is doing my 30 Days of Thanks posts or stories on social media. It’s not very time consuming, but it gives me a way to say thanks for something or someone every day!
You can make your thanks as simple or as complex as you want. One time, I chose a different person to thank each day in my posts who has impacted my life in some way, small or large. Last year, I made stories instead of posts each day saying something I was thankful for that day.
While this is a 30-day challenge of sorts, don’t beat yourself up if you miss a day – or two! Remember how I said life is busy, especially this time of year? Give yourself some grace, too.
Gratitude Journal or Book
Another easy way to express your gratitude on a more personal level than the 30 Days of Thanks listed above is by starting a gratitude journal or reading a book.
If you search gratitude books or gratitude journals on Amazon, you will find there are so many to choose from. Find one that suits your likes and needs, and then remember to stick to it as much as possible. But, just as I mentioned above, if you miss a couple entries or readings, do not condemn yourself!
One I really enjoyed, and it was a little different than the normal selection, was “Everything Sucks: A Gratitude Journal For People Who Have Been Through Some Sh*t” by Tiffany Reese.
Give Thanks During Mealtimes
How often do you give thanks at mealtime? I don’t mean saying a blessing or prayer, but everyone saying things for which they are thankful. Many people do this at their big family Thanksgiving meal, but why stop there?
Whatever meal your family is all together for during November, whether it’s dinner around the couch or breakfast in the car on the way to school and work, have everyone go around quickly and say one thing they are thankful for that day.
Say “Thank You”
Last, but certainly not least, get in the practice of saying “thank you” as often as you can and to everyone, even your kids and significant others. Nothing makes someone feel more appreciated than these two simple words.
Don’t stop at just saying “thank you” for things like passing the salt, but remember to thank those most important to you for being in your life and who they are. Even the simple act of saying “thank you” to a stranger showing you a seemingly small act of kindness like holding open a door or saying “bless you” when someone sneezes makes an impact. In fact, it’s really amazing how saying “thank you” really does make a difference to people and can bring a smile to their faces.
