Practicing Gratitude During the Holiday Season
Blog Post by the Rock Recovery Team
The holiday season can be a fun and beautiful time of year, filled with joy and family traditions. But when you’re navigating recovery, sometimes it’s easy to feel disengaged and numb to the experiences around you.
Living with an eating disorder can isolate and rob you of truly enjoying and appreciating the gifts of everyday life. Practicing gratitude can help us reclaim some of this joy, and change our perspective from one of anxiety and fear to one of positivity and hope. When we take the time to intentionally recognize the small wins and highlights of each day, we are better able to cope with life’s challenges, appreciate our blessings, and live inside each moment.
Here at Rock, our team is all about practicing gratitude (and not just during the holidays!). This year, we asked our team to reflect on and share how they practice gratitude during the holidays. We hope they encourage and inspire you to incorporate mindful rhythms of gratitude into your own life this holiday season and beyond.
Christie, Executive Director
“I've been keeping a five year journal for the past 11 years. I love looking back and seeing where I was in years prior, and remembering the connections with loved ones both big and small that otherwise would have completely faded with time. I've also been doing Emily P. Freeman’s Quiet Collection Advent Devotional for the past few years, which in her words, ‘Has given my soul space to breathe’ and helped me to be still and reflect on all that I have to be grateful for amidst the hard and thorny pieces of day-to-day life.”
Stephanie, Clinical Director
“Life can get busy, especially during the holiday season, so I practice being intentional about taking time each night while getting ready for bed to reflect on the day and highlight all the things I have to be grateful for such as the moments of connection, a good meal, and things that bring me joy, especially related to holiday traditions and celebrations. Focusing on gratitude helps me stay grounded, present, and make the most of the holiday season!”
Kristyn, Director of Community Partnerships
“I'm really able to reflect on all that I am grateful for in the earliest moments of the day, when my house is quiet and my toddler is fast asleep. I make a nice cup of coffee, read a scripture and spend some time in prayer or writing in my journal. At the beginning of each year, I always write down what I'm hoping to see in the New Year. In December, I like to reflect on those hopes and prayers to see how they have changed or how they have come to fruition!”
Mikayla, Development and Communications Manager
"I practice gratitude by taking time to reflect with my family and loved ones on the positives that happened throughout the week. Every night when my fiancé and I settle in for the night, we share at least one ‘win’ from each of our days. Every Friday, my Mom and I call each other and share the fun, positive things that happened throughout the week. Making intentional space for sharing and reflecting on the positives in my life with the ones I love really helps to keep me grounded.”
Izy, Administrative and Outreach Manager
"I practice gratitude by taking several minutes each morning to reflect on several ordinary things that happened the day before which I’m grateful for. These things could be a wonderful meal, a conversation with a friend, or a favorite Netflix show. I soak in the stillness, journal, and pray about these things. This practice helps me to notice the ordinary gifts of each day, and appreciate them even more."
Adrian, Therapist
"I practice gratitude throughout the year by touching base with those who have supported me. I like to send them updates and funny memes that I hope bring them a smile. I'm really grateful for my community this season."
Jamie, Therapist
“During the holidays, I practice gratitude using mindfulness. I take time to enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, and flavors of the season, and allow the feelings of meaningful connection with loved ones to be fully present in me. Being mindful in the moment helps me feel thankful as the beautiful things are happening.”
Natasia, Therapist
“I'm very thankful for the people in my life. During this time of the year, I like to reflect on the new connections I've made, and the long lasting ones I've maintained throughout the year. In this day and age, it can be so easy to get wrapped up in your own life, and not make time for those that matter. So, each year, I try to think of how I showed up for others, and how they have shown up for me, so that I can do better in the upcoming year of upholding those relationships!”
Stephanie, Clinical Intern
“During the holiday season, I love to take a warm drink and sit on my couch, look at my tree with all the lights lit, and reflect on what I am grateful for. Whether it's a roof over my head, the ability to help others, or friendships that fill my cup, I use my cozy time to remind myself of all the good I have in my life."
Isabelle, Clinical Intern
“I am grateful for the smell of coffee in the morning, for the sun rising and setting each day, and for my dog's wagging tail every time he greets me! I practice gratitude during the holiday season by identifying everyday nuances that make my heart sing, and my feet want to dance!”
Brigitte, Clinical Intern
“I practice gratitude by starting my mornings by looking outside and acknowledging the weather. This brings me a sense of presence to something bigger than myself, whether it's sunshine, rain, or a cloudy day. It brings me a sense of peace knowing not everything beautiful or difficult is up to me, but what is... is my perspective on the day."
Gratitude is a powerful tool that can shift our perspectives, and remind us of what we truly value in our lives. Much like recovery, gratitude looks different for every person’s journey. What’s your favorite way to practice gratitude this season?
As you reflect on the highs and lows of this past year, we hope you find space to give thanks for moments that brought you joy, and for the people in your support system. Our team at Rock is so grateful for you and our community.