Gratitude Next to Struggle

It’s the week of Thanksgiving, and we all know what’s coming – a barrage of social media posts expressing appreciation and gratitude. I, personally, love this part of the Thanksgiving tradition. I’m generally a “glass half full” kind of person and find myself energized when those around me see the blessings, gains, and good things in life – even when there are struggles, challenges, and setbacks. But for some, all the pressure to express gratitude this time of year can feel forced. Maybe you are going through a challenging time with a relationship, with work, or economically. Feeling the pressure to “feel grateful” right now can be annoying and frustrating, making one feel guilty for not being grateful or even invalidated for being distraught about the current state of things. That’s ok!

What’s amazing is that gratitude can sit right next to struggle! That’s right, we can simultaneously feel grateful while feeling stressed out or frustrated by the same set of circumstances.

To illustrate, let me share an example from my own experience: In my work, I’m fortunate to be part of a company culture where there is a tremendous amount of feedback flowing between the leaders I work closely with and myself. This open line of communication can create really positive sentiments when the feedback is complimentary, but it can also lead to frustration when the feedback is critical. Not all that long ago, I was the recipient of feedback. While the overall tone was positive and reaffirming, there were also some suggestions for areas where I needed to evolve. On one hand, this made me frustrated – didn’t the folks providing the feedback understand why I was taking the approaches I had been taking? But on the other hand, I was fortunate enough to be in an environment where people actually took the time and expressed the care for my success by sharing insights that could help me improve. In that moment, gratefulness was sitting right next to struggle.

As those of us who celebrate Thanksgiving go into the events of this week, gratitude will be the overwhelming theme. However, that doesn’t mean that everything must be “all good”! We can be appreciative of the same situations that are challenging us. For example, you might feel stressed about an impending deadline at work yet feel grateful for the opportunity to prove your capabilities. Or you may be frustrated with a misunderstanding with a loved one, while still being grateful for the strong relationship you share that is worth working through difficult conversations.

Acknowledging this duality is crucial. It allows us to be genuine with our emotions, recognizing that life’s challenges do not invalidate our reasons to be grateful and vice versa. In fact, learning to hold these seemingly conflicting emotions can lead to a richer and more balanced perspective on life.

So, as we move through this season of thankfulness, let’s embrace the full spectrum of our experiences. It’s okay to feel the weight of our struggles while also recognizing the silver linings. For me, that duality – where gratefulness sits right next to struggle – is something I truly appreciate.

And for that, I am indeed grateful ??