2020 was TOUGH! We are all hoping that the ringing-in of 2021 will signal the start of a much better year ahead.
One easy way to find more personal happiness is to practice gratitude for the good things you have in your life right now.
Maybe you are a parent struggling to balance work and a busy home life. Or perhaps you’re retired and anxious about staying healthy during the pandemic. Millennials have it hard as well – attempting to find jobs in our struggling economy.
No matter what stage of life you’re in, here are 5 things to be thankful for in 2021.
5 Things To Be Grateful For In 2021
1. Your Life
Sounds simple doesn’t it?
But how often do we get caught-up in the negative circumstances of everyday life…the guy who cut you off in traffic, having to make dinner, cleaning-up dog poop in the backyard…and forget that we are lucky to be alive.
One of my top tips to be happy in 2021 is simply to be thankful for your life. It may not have turned out exactly how you imagined – my 17-year-old self would be appalled that I’m not driving around in a Porsche 911, in between performing brain surgeries – but this is your one chance on this earth to live.
So whatever living means to you….enjoy every walk outside, hug from your kid, warm bath, and home-cooked meal you get (even if you had to cook it).
2. Your Home
A week before Christmas, we went looking for a new place to live.
My husband was offered a new job in Northern Ontario and they wanted him to start at the end of January. So, we scrambled to book some house showings and spent 11 hours driving around with our kids.
If you’ve ever looked for housing, you know how stressful the process can be under non-time crunched circumstances. I don’t know if it was because of the time of year, or the pandemic, but the lack of decent options left me feeling anxious and desperate.
Driving home in the dark, with freezing rain falling, I felt so very grateful for our current house and the warmth and safety it provided my family.
My husband ended up turning down the job offer – so no major life changes for us. But what has changed is my new appreciation for our home, even with its needed repairs, toys on the floor, and lack of kitchen counter space.
Unlike many families who have lost their safe place to sleep because of the pandemic, my family hasn’t been forced to move! No matter if you rent, own a home, or live with relatives…be thankful you have shelter.
Read: 50 Inexpensive (or Free) Home Improvement Ideas
3. Your Child’s Flexibility
Who handled 2020 better, you or your kids?
If you are a parent, then you witnessed the disappointment on your kids’ faces when their schools closed and their soccer season was cancelled and the fall fair didn’t happen. It all sucked!
Children had, and are still having to, attend school virtually over Zoom or MS Teams – a feat challenging for many adults. I mean, what child hasn’t screamed, cried, hit the computer, and given up on that incredible ask?!
In my household, I call it a draw on who’s handling these big changes better. But, my kids are proving resilient and accepting of how their lives have changed.
So, if you haven’t already, start practicing gratitude for how flexible your kids can be…except perhaps when told to finish their peas.
Read: Best Canadian Workbooks For Kids
4. Your Dog
One of the most steadfast things to be thankful for everyday is the companionship of your dog (or cat, or rabbit, or pet squirrel).
We have two dogs, a 4-year-old Goldendoodle and a 7-month-old Husky puppy. The latter was a complete Covid cave-in! The result of my kids discovering that my sister’s neighbour’s dog had an unplanned litter last spring.
However, these days I’m really glad we gave in to my children’s puppy-dog pleas because when you are stuck at home during a provincial shut-down there is nothing better than a hyperactive sled dog to coerce you outside.
Our dogs get us out of the house and into the fresh air every day. Exercise can improve both our mental and physical health.
According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention “the bond between people and their pets can increase fitness, lower stress, and bring happiness to their owners.”
So, in 2021, I’m willing to forgive Willow for the holes she’s digging in our yard and the soccer balls she’s chewed-up and add her to the list of things I’m thankful for this year.
5. Your Job
If you are fortunate enough to have a steady job that earns you a good paycheque than that is something to be thankful for this year!
Like anybody, I have a love/hate relationship with my day job. I’m an elementary school French teacher and there have been huge challenges for teachers this year. And yes, some days I really wanted to walk out of the school and not come back.
But, teaching is a good job. I like kids and my colleagues are great. Plus, I make a nice salary.
Watching on the news about all the millions of people who are suddenly unemployed, getting evicted from their homes, and visiting food banks for the first time makes me more appreciative of my 9 to 5..
Read: How To Teach Your Kids French At Home
Tips To Be Happier In 2021
Being thankful for the simple things you have in your life goes a long way towards making you happy. And who doesn’t want to be happier?
In fact, I’m making “to be happier” my New Year’s resolution for 2021!
Here are some quick tips on how to be happier in 2021:
Smile – smiling causes your brain to release dopamine, which makes you happier.
Sleep – adults need 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night.
Practice gratitude – reread this article for 5 ideas to get you started 🙂
Exercise – fresh air and exercise reduce anxiety, stress and depression. Even a quick walk will help to lift your mood.
Put down your phone – leave your phone in your purse or desk and enjoy not feeling compelled to check your socials every ten minutes.
Cut out toxic people – you don’t have to get along with everybody. Remove, or reduce time with, anyone who isn’t a positive force in your life.
Things To Be Thankful For: Conclusion
I hope this article helped you to focus on the things you have to be thankful for this new year. Let’s all try to make 2021 the best year ever…or at least a hell of a lot better than the last one!
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