This article was last updated on May 12, 2025
Ever since I made a simple shift in my morning routine, my entire outlook on life has transformed. It wasn’t some grand gesture or expensive habit—just a few quiet moments where I consciously focused on the things I’m thankful for. And let me tell you, it’s made all the difference.
Why Gratitude Works (Even on Rough Mornings)
I used to be that person who groaned when the alarm went off, already dreading the day before my feet even hit the floor. But then I heard something that stuck with me: You can’t be grateful and angry at the same time. I decided to test it out.
Now, before I even check my phone, I lie there for a minute and think of three things I appreciate. Some days it’s big stuff—my health, my family. Other mornings? The way sunlight makes patterns on my bedroom wall, or that first sip of coffee that somehow makes everything feel possible. It sounds too simple to work, but somehow, starting my day this way makes the tough moments easier to handle.
The Myth of the “Wrong Side of the Bed”
We’ve all said it: “Ugh, I woke up on the wrong side of the bed today.” But here’s what I’ve realized—that grumpy morning feeling usually comes from what I’m focusing on before I’m fully awake. If my first thought is “I didn’t get enough sleep” or “I have too much to do,” of course I’ll feel defeated.
A friend once told me, “Your first five thoughts in the morning set the tone for your whole day.” That hit hard. Now I try to catch myself when I start mentally complaining about small things (like traffic or a slow internet connection) and remember that lady I saw last winter carrying groceries home in the snow without a car. Suddenly, my “problems” don’t seem so big.
What My Grandmother Taught Me About Having Enough
My grandma survived the Great Depression, and she had this way of finding value in everything. When I’d complain as a kid about wanting newer toys or trendier clothes, she’d say, “Child, want what you have, and you’ll always have enough.” At the time I rolled my eyes, but now I get it.
There’s this exercise I do sometimes—I imagine everything I have suddenly disappearing: my home, my job, even my health. Then I imagine getting each thing back, one by one. You’d be amazed how quickly that makes you appreciate ordinary things like running water or being able to walk pain-free.
The Shoes and No Feet Story That Changed My Perspective
Remember that old saying about complaining about shoes until you meet someone with no feet? I had my version of that moment last year. I was frustrated about some work situation when I ran into an old college roommate who’d been through a brutal divorce and job loss. As we talked, I realized my “bad day” was nothing compared to what she was handling with such grace.
It reminded me of something my therapist says: “Pain isn’t a competition—your feelings are valid—but perspective is medicine.” Now when I catch myself spiraling into negativity, I ask: Is this really as bad as I’m making it? What’s actually good right now?
How I Keep Gratitude Practical (Not Pollyanna)
Look, I’m not some perpetually cheerful person who ignores life’s real struggles. Some days are genuinely hard. But here’s what helps me stay grounded:
- The 5-Second Gratitude Pause: When stress hits, I literally stop for five seconds and name one thing that’s okay right then. Maybe it’s just that my chair is comfortable or that I remembered to pack lunch.
- Gratitude Notes to Self: I keep a running list in my phone’s notes app called “Good Things.” When something nice happens—no matter how small—I jot it down. On tough days, I scroll through it.
- The “Get To” Shift: Instead of “I have to go to work,” I try “I get to have a job.” Instead of “I have to cook dinner,” it’s “I get to afford groceries.” This tiny language tweak changes everything.
Why This Matters More Now Than Ever
In our world of constant comparison (thanks, social media) and nonstop bad news, choosing gratitude feels almost rebellious. It’s not about pretending life is perfect—it’s about refusing to let what’s wrong erase what’s right.
Some mornings I still wake up feeling off. But now I know that within a few minutes of focusing on what’s good—the smell of rain, the fact that my legs carry me where I need to go, the text from a friend that made me laugh—something in me softens. The day feels less like an obstacle course and more like… well, a gift.
And isn’t that what we all want—to feel like what we have is enough, and that we’re enough? Maybe gratitude isn’t some magical solution, but it’s the closest thing I’ve found to a reset button for my soul.
Tomorrow when you wake up, try it. Before you check your phone or make mental to-do lists, just ask yourself: What’s one small thing I’m grateful for right now? You might be surprised how that changes everything.