Gratitude and honoring what matters
We live in a world filled with pain. Tragedies, mistreatment, and suffering are all around us. And, in the face of such difficulty, gratitude can feel trite. However, as highly sensitive therapists, we are very experienced with the concept of both/and.
Yes, you have been through trauma, and you are so much more than what happened to you.
Yes, you feel the hurt, and you can allow yourself to feel loved, cared for, and held.
We live with a mantra of:
My peace does not diminish another’s war.
My joy does not diminish another’s sadness.
My love does not diminish another’s loss.
All are true and real and valid.
Our caring, deeply thoughtful brains and souls can allow both.
We know that gratitude makes a difference. We know it intuitively, we may know it from our own experience, and we know it from the research. Practicing gratitude for 15 minutes a day for 5 days a week over the course of 6 weeks can reduce depression and anxiety, relieve stress, improve sleep and heart health, and even create a lasting change of perspective. Enough said?! This shit is legit!
As sensitive therapists, it can be especially important for us to practice gratitude. We sit with and hold so much pain for others that we need time & space to savor what we’re thankful for, what we appreciate, what feels good, and what is beautiful.
Of course, there can be a million ways to slow down and engage in gratitude. Keeping a journal, a list, or telling someone else what you’re thankful for have been shown as especially effective gratitude practices.
I try to meditate most nights before bed - sometimes I’m more consistent than others - and I like to name at least 3 things I’m grateful for before my meditation. I challenge myself to think of 3 things unique to my day, and sometimes I simply focus on biggies like my partner, my kitties, my home. This sets a comforting tone for my meditation and easing into sleep.
I’ve heard others share about making a habit of talking about gratitude over dinner or jotting down a list each morning over coffee.
I also love keeping an email folder and a physical manilla folder I call “My Happy Place.” This is where I save kind or meaningful messages from clients or from colleagues.
Our profession is hard, and it’s so helpful to have ways to revisit our “wins.” To connect back with why we do this deep work and why it matters so much. The passage of time and all the varied stories we hear can make us lose track of the successes, the baby steps, the witnessing, and the being appreciated for seeing and honoring. So, a place that reminds me of what matters warms my heart and connects me back to my why.
How do you practice gratitude now, or how have you practiced before?
What do you do to celebrate and honor your therapeutic wins?
I’d love to hear! Just send an email my way.
Take good care,
Ivy Griffin, LMFT #51714, Clinical Supervisor, Owner & Director