What If I Don't Feel Thankful?

It’s that time of year again. The season of being thankful, giving thanks, and having gratitude. It’s all around you. But what if you don’t feel thankful? What if you want to take all of that gratitude and just shove it? Does that mean there’s something wrong with you? Of course not!

We’re here to normalize those feelings and let you know that you’re not alone if you feel this way. Despite what you see on the outside, for many, many people this is a really tough time of year.

For some, the images of family gathered around the table, bowed heads and linked hands, can be a reminder of what you don’t have in your own family. Maybe you’ve lost a parent or another close relative and the loss feels enormous during this time of year. Maybe you’re estranged from a loved one and Thanksgiving brings up nothing but hurtful memories. Or maybe you’ve been longing to add a new baby to your family and another year without them hurts your heart.

For others, this time of year is a perpetual contributor to burn out and when your plate is already full to the point of overflowing, it is just too much. Do you have the time and energy to cook a six course meal, be the perfect host, and have the perfect home? Yeah, me neither. And for many of us moms, the mental, as well as physical, load sits square on our shoulders. Which understandably breeds resentment.

Let’s be real here - yes, practicing gratitude can be helpful, we all know that. But, on the other side of the coin, the toxic positivity can be, well…toxic.

So I’m here to give you permission to feel all those feelings. And to do so without guilt. If you’re just not feeling thankful right now, that’s okay. Be honest with yourself and allow yourself time to sit with those feelings and process them. Give yourself grace. Forcing yourself to feel a certain way is just not healthy.

And over here we’re always at least thankful that we can keep things real.