Originally published November 25, 2020. Updated September 2026 with a summary, next steps and answers to common questions.
Yes, 2020 has been hard on all of us and in a lot of different ways. While everyone has had their own experience of the year, it’s safe to say that 2020 won’t be a year any of us forget anytime soon. With that said, there’s a lot to still be grateful for — and no reason to try to rush into 2021 as quickly as possible. After all, there’s a lot of wonderful things to enjoy this holiday season, even though some traditions might look a little different.
Try these three tips below to bring some more gratitude to the final days of 2020…
- Focus more on what you want, not what you don’t want. Among a lot of things we’ve all been feeling in 2020, anger is probably somewhere near the top of the list. The quickest way to shift out of feelings of anger is to turn your attention to things that, well, don’t make you angry. Rather than keeping your attention on things that make you angry, sad, frustrated, etc., turn your focus to the things you enjoy. And when you notice them, send your gratitude their way.
- Consume less and enjoy more. No, we’re not saying to not enjoy your favorite holiday meals. Think of “consume” in terms of what you’re bringing into your daily life, especially by the way of news outlets, social media channels, etc. Yes, it’s important to be informed, but there’s also a point of saturation, where the more you consume actually leaves you feeling less than great. This holiday season, take some time to focus on what’s actually around you — in your home, on your street, in your community. Find ways to enjoy being present with your life and you’ll discover so many more things to be grateful for.
- Slow down. If there’s a silver lining to a lot of what has been happening this year part of it is definitely slowing down. With schedules completely altered and daily routines shifted far from the norm, we’ve all had to reevaluate our habits. And, hopefully, in that revaluation we’ve discovered that we can do less and slow down while still enjoying our life to the fullest. While holidays typically leave us feeling scattered and exhausted, let this year be an opportunity to rest and enjoy. In those quiet moments, you’ll discover so many little things to be grateful for.
We hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a restful holiday season!