I’m taking part in a 10-day gratitude practice. There are so many things that we can get bogged down in. News feeds are full of negative stories and situations. We can’t immediately influence them and yet we are still impacted by them. Then there are people I know who are going through really tough times currently. I am noticing a feeling of powerlessness about their situations.

So I wanted to bring my focus towards the small things that often get overlooked when we are feeling overwhelmed. The things we might take for granted, such as fleece lined shoes on a frosty day. 

Gratitude practice and sitting with feelings

Engaging with a gratitude practice doesn’t mean ignoring the difficult experiences. It’s important we give all our feelings due attention. We are hard-wired to more readily notice threat or danger. It can take more intention from us to more deeply experience the good bits, the joy, the contentment. Even noticing that we feel OK for a moment

We are entering into the winter months here in the UK and I can feel myself going into ‘wintering’, my body needing a bit more rest, my mind needing calm. It’s nature’s way of encouraging us to slow down, take stock, re-group before heading into the spring.  I’ll do ‘springing’ in the spring.

I am mindful of the fast-approaching Christmas/winter holiday and what can get evoked during this time. For many there are a mix of emotions. Remembering the loss of a loved one, family rejections, reminiscing of times gone by, the joy on faces when they really like what you’ve bought them…

Responding to feelings

Alongside noticing and responding to feelings we might associate as ‘negative’ or ‘difficult’, I also find it helpful to take time to notice those things that bring even a moment of joy. 

For me, spending time with friends, pets, music all bring me joy in different ways. I also know I need time for solitude and this can bring a different sort of joy as my mind and body reconvene. What sorts of things bring ease to your day?  How does your body communicate that ease to you?