39 Things to Be Grateful for Today

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When times get tough, think about these things to be grateful for to help you see things in a different light and appreciate all that is good in your life.

Things to Be Grateful for

Things to be grateful for - list featuring items 1-14.

Personal

1. Your Favorite Memories

When life feels a little dull, be grateful for having memories you can look back upon fondly.

These memories allow you to transport yourself to a happier time by indulging in some nostalgia, and having shared memories with loved ones can strengthen your bond. 

2. Your Education

Education is crucial for personal growth, professional success, and lifestyle freedom. Be grateful for the abundance of education available for people of all backgrounds in the modern world.

The privilege of having access to technology also means education doesn’t only have to take place in schools.

You can learn about the world through websites, videos, and online courses in a way that works for you – certainly, a reason to consider yourself lucky! 

3. Your Mistakes

It may seem counterintuitive to be grateful for mistakes, but failure can actually lead to success in the long run.

If you make mistakes in your personal or professional life, you can learn from what went wrong and avoid committing those same errors in the future.

Be grateful for your mistakes and use the lessons learned to fuel your future victories. 

4. Your Accomplishments

Having a sense of accomplishment in our lives can help to boost self-confidence and encourage us out of our comfort zones.

Being grateful for the things we’ve achieved and those who helped us achieve them can remind us of our ability to work hard and succeed, therefore boosting our chances of future success. 

5. Your Unique Personality

As Oscar Wilde once famously said – ‘Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.’ Out of the nearly 8 billion people on Earth, you have a completely unique personality.

Along with this, you have experiences and preferences that are individual to you. It’s good to reflect and feel grateful for these unique qualities that make you, you. You truly are one of a kind!


Relationships

6. Your Family

Your family has raised you, supported you, and likely instilled in you many of the values you pride yourself on.

Be grateful for their ongoing support and unconditional love; without them, you wouldn’t be who you are today.

If you’re not close to your biological family, be thankful for your chosen family and their support. 

7. Your Friends

Friends provide us with great advice, a shoulder to cry on, and, most importantly, lots of fun memories.

It’s worth expressing gratitude for your closest pals – life would be a lot less colorful without them!

8. Your Romantic Partner

Being happily coupled up is one of the best feelings, so if you have a partner, be thankful for having that special someone in your life.

If you’re still searching for ‘the one,’ be grateful for the best partner you’ll ever have – yourself! Self-love is incredibly important and allows us to have healthy and fulfilling relationships with others. 

9. Ex-Partners

It may seem silly, but you can have a lot to thank your ex-partners for. We learn from every relationship, and when a relationship ends, it leaves the door open for a new relationship to begin.

Be grateful for your past romances and the lessons they taught you about love and relationships. 

10. Pets

Spending time in the company of animals can be incredibly therapeutic.

If you have a fluffy friend at home, be thankful for the companionship and conditional love they provide – even if they do occasionally eat your slippers!


Financial

11. Money in the Bank

If you have money in the bank, even if it’s just a little, that’s something to be grateful for.

Money gives us the freedom to buy products we like and experiences that make our lives more enjoyable. 

12. Lifestyle Freedom

Money gives you lifestyle freedom by providing you with the means to travel, enjoy hobbies and cultivate skills.

Be grateful for the freedom that money provides you with and how the hobbies and experiences that you pay for enrich your life. 

13. Social Security

We all fall on hard times occasionally, and it may be difficult for those without much money to find many financial things to be grateful for.

One thing we can rely on is social security. In most countries, the state will provide financial help to those who need it the most, and if the state doesn’t do so, you’ll often find kind strangers who will share their resources. This is undoubtedly something to be thankful for!

14. Savings

If you’ve got savings in the bank, count yourself lucky! Having savings allows you to splurge on big-ticket items, such as a house, a car, or a wedding.

Savings also provide you with financial security and shield you from day-to-day worries about spending. 


At Work

15. Employment

If you’re lucky enough to have a job, be grateful for the financial security and purpose that employment brings.

If you’re searching for a new career, appreciate the experience you gained from your previous jobs and how it will support your future success.

16. Coworkers You Can Rely on

Coworkers can make the working day more entertaining and provide support when you’re struggling with a task.

If you don’t get along with your coworkers, you may find your work a lot more challenging. With this in mind, count your lucky stars if you have colleagues you can depend on. 

17. Professional Accomplishments

If you’ve had significant success in your professional career, it’s crucial to be grateful for the people and the opportunities that helped you achieve it.

Staying humble in the face of success is an important skill to cultivate and one which will help you achieve even more success in the future. 

18. Professional Setbacks

Every time we experience failure or rejection, we learn from it. It’s therefore vital to be grateful not just for our professional achievements, but also for our setbacks.

These setbacks can help us build resilience and come back stronger in the future. 

19. Professional Mentors

If you’ve enjoyed a prosperous career, you likely received support and advice from people along the way.

It’s important to express gratitude for your professional mentors and supportive managers. Without them, you may not be where you are today. 


Health-Related

20. Modern Medicine

Back in the days before antibiotics and similar drugs, minor infections could be life-threatening.

Thanks to the wonders of modern medicine, we all enjoy increased life expectancy and high quality of life. That’s certainly something to be thankful for!

21. Your Body

Your body can do some amazing things. It allows you to eat, drink, move, breathe, and most importantly, it keeps you alive!

If you’re counting your blessings, your body should be right at the top of the list.

22. Your Senses

Our senses help us experience a myriad of things, such as the smell of a delicious home-cooked dinner or the sight of a beautiful sunset.

Having any of your senses intact is something to be grateful for, as they allow you to experience all life has to offer. 

23. Exercise

Exercise enriches our lives by providing us with something to do, benefitting cardiovascular health, and reducing stress levels.

Try to be thankful for the ability to exercise as a relief from life’s more mundane tasks and a way to reward your body with mood-boosting endorphins.

24. Mental Health

Mental health is just as important to your well-being as physical health, so if you’re lucky enough not to struggle with mental health issues, this is something to be grateful for.

If you struggle with mental well-being, be thankful for the activities and actions that improve your mood and reduce your stress levels. 


Big Things

25. The Ability to Travel

Our ancestors probably saw very little of the world, but in today’s day and age, we can travel all over the globe.

It’s important to recognize and be grateful for the privilege of being born in an era with planes, trains, and automobiles.

26. Food and Water

Many of us take access to clean water and nourishing food for granted, but having easy access to basic provisions is indeed a privilege.

Next time you’re sweating the small stuff, remember the privileges we enjoy in the modern world, including access to an abundance of tasty food and drink.

27. Freedoms and Rights

In an age with more liberty than previous generations had the privilege of experiencing, we should be thankful for the freedoms and rights we enjoy, such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and universal human rights.

28. Science

Science has been responsible for incredible discoveries, life-saving inventions, and our understanding of the natural world.

Without the accomplishments of scientists, our world would be a lot trickier to navigate, so the existence of this subject and those who study it is something to be grateful for.

29. Planet Earth

When you think about the chances of a planet having just the right conditions for us and our fellow species to thrive, it seems pretty incredible that our beloved Planet Earth does just that.

Spending time in nature reminds us of the unbelievable beauty of our world and the gratitude we should feel for it.  


Simple and Small Things

30. Sunday Mornings

Sunday mornings are arguably the best time of the week, and they deserve our appreciation.

Sunday mornings are typically spent relaxing with a cup of coffee and a good book or your favorite Netflix series. What could be better?

31. A Good Night’s Sleep

Sometimes there is truly no better feeling than waking up after a great night’s sleep. Rest is essential for our well-being, yet it’s not always prioritized.

If you manage to sleep well on a regular basis, this is certainly something to be thankful for.

32. The Kindness of Strangers

When we find ourselves in a tricky situation, help and kindness from strangers go a long way.

Even a smile from a fellow commuter on the bus or a friendly chat with a customer buying from your business is guaranteed to boost your mood, and we should be grateful for these small interactions with others. 

33. Sunshine

Waking up to rays of sunshine through the window is a truly joyous and gratitude-inducing moment.

Sunny days encourage us to get outside and enjoy the fresh air, whether it’s for a picnic in the park, a BBQ in your garden, or a day of playing sport with your pals. 

34. A Cup of Something Hot

Whilst it might seem like a small thing to be grateful for, a cup of tea or coffee can provide a moment of calm in an otherwise stressful day, or something tasty to sip while catching up with a friend. 


Unique Things

35. Time

Time is the most valuable resource, so be thankful for it! We’re lucky enough to have time to spend with loved ones, time to spend doing activities we enjoy, and pursuing our passions.

If you’re struggling through a difficult period, be grateful that time is a healer, and that as it passes you’ll feel better. 

36. New Beginnings

Whether it’s the start of a new week, a new day, a new relationship, or a new job; all new beginnings can bring positive changes and exciting experiences to your life.

Be grateful for the chance to make a change that these new beginnings provide. 

37. Entertainment

We truly live in the golden age of entertainment. Whether it’s watching your favorite series on a streaming platform, downloading an e-book, or scrolling through an inspiring social media account, we have access to a world of entertainment at our fingertips.

This widespread, 24/7 access to entertainment is unique to the current generations, and therefore something we should be grateful for!

38. Communities

Being part of a community makes us feel connected to the world, and guarantees that there’s always somebody we can reach out to for support.

These communities can be geographical or centered around a particular belief or interest. Either way, we should show gratitude for the fulfillment they bring to our lives. 

39. Essential Workers

We’ve heard so much about the importance of key workers such as teachers, delivery workers, and doctors in recent times, but our appreciation should extend beyond this.

Without the hard work of these essential workers, many of our most treasured institutions wouldn’t function, so expressing gratitude for them is the least we can do!


Perspective is so important to help us live a happy and grateful life. These things to be grateful for could help you stay grounded and shift your mentality when you’re having a bad day or things just aren’t going your way.

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Keep these things to be grateful for in a safe place for a rainy day, and save this article to one of your Pinterest boards.

Things to be grateful for(listing items 1-14).