For many years of my life I’ve had to deal with “bad days”. If you’ve had these days you know what I mean. I’ve never been diagnosed with depression but it runs like wildfire in my family so I know the signs. Over the years, I’ve tried so many mental health things to get in a better head space (if you’re looking for something to help you I highly suggest checking out https://adoseofdouglas.com/mental-health-check-in/ It’s an amazing blog about checking in on your own mental health).

One of the best things I’ve found that works for me is making a gratitude list on a GOOD day. I learned that if I try to make my list on a bad day I end up in a worse mood and unable to complete the list, when I make it on a good day I can look back on it when a bad day hits.

Something I was never told was that your list doesn’t have to be all tangible things or all people, it can be a combination of both. So today I am going to share today’s gratitude list with you (my lists are always different depending on the day). I always try to write down AT LEAST 10 things I’m grateful for.

1. My faith-this one is huge for me but I also know that not everyone shares in my belief.
2. My husband-he is truly my best friend and my biggest support system.
3. My children-I even include my two miscarriages here because they taught me something about myself and they are still my children.
4. My family-close, extended, and in law family is included here. So many of them have given so much to our family.
5. Our home-this is our first home and I couldn’t be more grateful for it. I love looking around and seeing our memories and love in tangible things.
6. Our church-we haven’t been there long but I am grateful that God sent us to a place where we feel so comfortable and welcomed.
7. My friends-although I don’t get to talk to them all or see them all as often as I’d like I love knowing how much they love and support our family.
8. My body-yes, you read that right. I love that at this point my body has carried 4 children, gone through surgeries, and so much more. Sure, it’s been smaller than it currently is but it’s also been bigger yet it still keeps going. It’s not perfect but it’s mine.
9. Disneyland-It has been and will always be my happy place. It’s a place where when I walk in nothing outside those gates matter. Now that I have children seeing their eyes light up makes it seem so much better.
10. My health-I may not be the healthiest but from being born with asthma to just recently having my gallbladder removed I’ve always remained a version of healthy.

Like I’ve mentioned before, my list changes every time but this is today’s list. Also, I don’t put my list in order of most grateful to least. If I do that I feel too pressured and I start to panic. If you’re like me and the idea of listing in the most to least order makes you get sweaty palms and your head starts spinning-don’t do it!

Once again, this is something that allows me to become more grounded on a bad day. I truly hope this helps you if you’ve read this far.