We don't celebrate Thanksgiving in the UK, and I'll be honest and say that until I started connecting and then working with people in the US, I didn't really even know it existed.
When we aren't well, particularly if we're having a dip, we can feel alone, abandoned, hopeless and like there is nothing to be thankful for.
And if someone tells you to "be thankful that you're [insert empty platitude here]" then it can feel even worse.
I don't think it's helpful to compare ourselves to others (as natural as it is to try to do so), and toxic positivity is also not helpful. It's important that we allow ourselves to feel our emotions, whatever they are, in a safe and supportive way.
But allowing ourselves to focus on things that we are grateful for is immensely helpful, both for our mental health but also our physical. It's not denying any bad you feel, just allowing yourself to focus on something more supportive.
Sometimes we have to think really hard to think of something. But those little things get easier and easier each time we do it. Those little glimmers that are so important when we are struggling.
I am immensely grateful for the lessons and tools I learned when I was unwell, because they allow me to live a much happier and healthier life now. I am so grateful to have my health.
I am also incredibly grateful to everyone I've connected with through my journey - every single guest who has given up their time. Every listener. Everyone who has taken the time to comment or message. Everyone who has bought me a coffee to support the podcast. And everyone I have connected with - some of whom I am lucky enough to call friends and colleagues now.
And of course my long-suffering partner who unquestioningly supported me through my illness, and now puts up with my middle of the night winter swims, my ability to talk about breathing all the time and my freezing cold feet in bed.
Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate. And maybe those who don't (me included) can grab hold of a few of those vibes.
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