Choosing Gratitude in the Middle of the Storm

Lately, I’ve been trying to reframe how I see my circumstances and embrace where I am now, along with the journey to where I want to be. It’s easy to get stuck in the overwhelm, especially when it comes to finances and the way the world is shaping out to be right now.

We’re a single-income household, and in theory, my salary should be enough to support my family without issue.

But life isn’t always that simple.

I’m still dealing with financial decisions made before I became a mom and a partner, and they’ve left walls I’m now forced to climb. Like many people, I’ve had moments where my credit score slips to the backburner because the immediate needs come first: keeping a roof over our heads, keeping the car running, making sure the lights are on, paying for Wi-Fi so I can work remotely, and keeping my phone connected because my job literally depends on it.

When you think about it, the list of “non-negotiables” is long. And when money is tight, it feels like it’s always pouring. The storm feels endless, and all you can see are the dark clouds.

However lately, I’ve been practicing something different: gratitude. Instead of staring at the storm, I’ve been reminding myself to focus on the blessings that shine through it. And that is easier said than done for sure. There are everyday things that we tend to take for granted, and I am in the season of appreciation.

My health isn’t perfect, but I’m still here. My daughter is healthy; my fiancé is healthy. We have a roof over our heads. We have electricity, food in the fridge, diapers and clothes for my baby, gas in the car, Wi-Fi to keep me connected. My daughter has toys to make her laugh and space to run in.

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And that last one means more to me than I can explain. Growing up, I never had my own room. Until late in college, around my junior year and I was about 20/21. I always knew I wanted my child, whoever they would be, to have their own space, allowing them the freedom to create their own safe space.

She has just that. A space that’s hers, filled with love and safety. That’s something I always dreamed of giving my child, and I’m living that dream right now.

We may not be where I thought we would be, but we are where we need to be. We have support, even if family isn’t close by. We have love. We have enough to keep going.

So today and on, I’m choosing to focus on that. On the fact that the car may be draining my wallet, but it’s running. That the bills may feel endless, but the lights are still on. That the storm may be heavy, but we’re making it through and with a strong umbrella.

I’m reminding myself daily that gratitude is the bridge out of pessimism. Step by step, I’m learning to see not just what I lack, but everything I’ve been blessed with.

It’s an active choice I am making every day, what are you grateful for?

For me? It's definitely them!