Gratitude can be thought of as the quality of being thankful or the readiness to show appreciation for and return kindness. Learning to show and acknowledge gratitude is an important life skill. So often, we get wrapped up in our own lives. We focus on our struggles, what we are doing, and our daily lives. Sometimes we even feel awkward thanking others for their help or the kindness they are extending to us. For some, that awkwardness stems from feeling like we shouldn’t need that help or that we should do what we need to do without help. Whether you are facing addiction, mental health issues, or trauma, you need the support of others. Learning to show more gratitude will actually help you as you journey towards recovery and healing.
Acknowledge the Small Kindnesses
If you struggle with showing gratitude, maybe try to start with acknowledging the small things people do for you that you so often take for granted. That means stopping what you are doing and thanking that person. You will probably be surprised how such a small act can brighten someone’s day. Maybe someone grabs you a glass of water before going to bed, does your laundry, or brings packages to your apartment door, so you don’t need to carry them. Those people are probably just doing those things to be kind and not looking to be acknowledged. It is at those precise moments, however, that you should express gratitude for the kind act.
Be Straightforward
To show gratitude, you need to be straightforward. If you are beating around the bush to thank someone, they will probably miss your entire point. Working on being clear and concise with your words will help you in many different areas of life.
Learning to show more gratitude is a great skill. Being able to think about other people and acknowledge what others are doing for you is important to maintaining relationships and close connections. Whether you are facing an addiction, trauma, or a mental health issue, you need a strong support system in place to help you journey towards healing. Here at The Guest House, we know that it takes learning new skills to change our habits and mindsets. We are ready to help you gain the tools you need to face your challenges and build a strong and healthy support system. Call us today to learn more about our different program options at (855) 483-7800.