A Heart of Gratitude: Simple Ways to Feel Thankful This Thanksgiving Season
- Conner Spangler
- Nov 6
- 4 min read
As the air turns crisp and mornings greet us with the first hint of frost, it’s easy to feel the pull of the season. Fall (or Christmas!) decorations fill our homes, familiar recipes make their way back to the table (my favorite, my Grandma’s noodles), and there’s a collective slowing down — even if just for a moment — as we prepare for Thanksgiving.
It’s in these moments that gratitude can feel both natural and fleeting. We mean to pause and give thanks, yet the calendar fills quickly. Between gatherings, travel, and the swirl of the season, we can find ourselves moving through November without ever truly feeling it.
The word gratitude gets thrown around a lot...on social media, in self-help books, podcasts, and of course, at this time of year around Thanksgiving. It’s easy to go through our days led by calendars, meetings, and to-do lists. But how often do you slow down enough to notice what’s around you — and feel truly grateful for it?
Research shows that expressing gratitude regularly can lead to feeling more optimistic, satisfied, and connected. It’s linked to lower anxiety and depression rates and can even strengthen relationships. Studies have found that “a single act of gratitude produces an immediate 10% increase in happiness, and a 35% reduction in depressive symptoms.”
Who doesn’t want stronger relationships, a more positive outlook, and better mental health?
I first started my gratitude practice in high school. One Christmas, my parents gifted me a three-lines-a-day journal. Each day had space for just a few words: what happened that day, small moments to remember, or, for me, what I was grateful for. It became a simple one-minute ritual before bed that helped me end each day with a grateful heart.
Now, years later, gratitude still shapes my days, but it looks a little different. Sometimes I write it down in my morning journal, adding a few lines about what I’m thankful for. Other times, it’s as simple as washing dishes in a quiet house and silently naming the things from my day that brought joy. And one of my favorite practices? A gratitude walk — no headphones, no distractions, just movement and awareness.
These moments feel even more special this time of year; The scent of something cinnamon baking in the oven, a house filled with warmth and laughter, the golden leaves crunching beneath your feet. Gratitude lives in the little details of the season if we’re willing to notice them.
Of course, there are also seasons when gratitude feels hard. The waiting seasons, the heartbreak seasons, the ones filled with uncertainty. In those times, I’ve learned that even listing three small things (even if I don’t fully feel them yet) helps the light begin to break through the cracks. Gratitude doesn’t ignore pain; it helps make space for hope to return. Maybe it’s your morning coffee, the sunshine after days of rain, or simply the roof over your head. Gratitude grows from noticing the ordinary.
Four Ways to Practice Gratitude in Everyday Life
Write it down. You don’t need a fancy journal to start. Keep a notepad by your bed or use the notes app on your phone. Before you fall asleep, write down three things you’re grateful for, big or small. Over time, you’ll start looking for those moments throughout the day.
Talk about it. Gratitude grows when it’s shared. My husband and I like to ask, “What are you grateful for today?” at dinner each night and it helps us reflect and reconnect. You can do this with your kids on the way home from school, with a friend over coffee, or with a parent or grandparent over the phone.
Move your body. Movement itself is something to be grateful for. Our bodies are extraordinary — every muscle, cell, and heartbeat works together to carry us through the day. Whether it’s a walk around the block, a yoga class, or a quick stretch, notice how your body supports you. Gratitude for your body can shift your mindset in powerful ways.
Notice the little things. How many times a day do we pick up our phones when we could simply pause? Waiting at a red light, folding laundry, brushing your teeth. All small moments to breathe and reflect. Gratitude doesn’t require extra time, only extra awareness.
As Thanksgiving approaches, gratitude naturally comes to mind — the familiar table settings, the sound of laughter from the kitchen, the recipes that carry family stories. But gratitude doesn’t need to be limited to a holiday tradition. It’s a quiet daily practice that changes how we see the world. It softens the hard days, amplifies the good ones, and reminds us that even when life feels uncertain, there’s still something steady to hold onto.
So this month, take a moment to notice: what’s already good in your world? Because when we live with gratitude, everything around us begins to grow.
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