Finding Gratitude in the Small and Ordinary

 Hey Ya’ll!

As the holidays get closer, I always notice a shift in myself. It feels like the world slows down just enough for me to pay attention to the things I normally rush past. I start to feel an extra sense of gratitude for the small and ordinary parts of my life. It happens every year, and every year it reminds me that I need to be more grateful than I often am.

It’s easy for me to get caught up in everything going on with my health. I deal with chronic issues that affect my heart, lungs and spine, along with conditions like scoliosis and POTS that shape my daily life. Some days are heavy, and on those days I tend to whine and complain more than I would like. People tell me it’s fair and understandable, and a part of me knows they’re right. Still, I can’t help but feel guilty about it. I know there are moments when I focus so much on what hurts that I forget to recognize what’s still working and what’s still good.

When I slow down, I remember that I’m alive and walking. I can talk. I can eat. I can go to school most days, even if some days are harder than others. I can dance, move, think, laugh and be present with the people I love. These are things I sometimes take for granted, but when the holidays roll around, I see them more clearly.

I also have a family that loves me. That is not something everyone has, and I never want to overlook it. I have a place to go home to during the holidays or whenever I need it. I have traditions that make me feel grounded, like decorating, visiting, baking or simply being together. I have people who care about me and remind me that I’m not walking through life alone.

Feeling grateful for the little things is not about pretending my health struggles don’t exist. It’s just more so about remembering that my struggles don’t erase the good in my life. I can hold both at once. I can wish my body worked differently and still appreciate everything it lets me do. I can acknowledge the pain, the fatigue and the frustration while still noticing the soft, ordinary moments that bring comfort.

As the season starts, I want to carry this mindset with me longer than a few weeks. I want to practice gratitude even on the days that feel overwhelming. The little things matter, and I’m learning every day to recognize them, honor them and let them make me feel whole.

That's all for now!
XOXO, Mia Ann