This time of year always feels…odd. We spend months racing through life, juggling work, family, and everything in between. Then the holidays arrive, and we’re expected to hit stop, feel joyful, and reflect on everything we’re grateful for. It sounds nice, but it’s not always easy.
This year feels especially heavy for many of us. With the job market in flux, post-election stress, and the colder months amplifying everything, gratitude—often dismissed as cheesy or forced—might actually be what we need the most.
Let’s bust some common myths about gratitude and see why it’s so powerful.
Myth 1: Gratitude Doesn’t Actually Work
Gratitude can feel like just another trendy buzzword, but science tells a different story. Research from UCLA’s Mindfulness Awareness Research Center reveals that gratitude physically changes your brain. It rewires neural pathways, boosting happiness and overall well-being.
Here’s the surprising part: your brain can’t focus on both gratitude and stress at the same time. When you’re in a grateful mindset, anxiety naturally takes a back seat. This isn’t fluffy self-help talk—gratitude is a practical tool that essentially changes how your brain functions.
Myth 2: Gratitude Means Ignoring Real Struggles
Gratitude is often confused with toxic positivity—the “just look on the bright side” mindset. But they aren’t the same. Toxic positivity denies your feelings, while gratitude allows you to recognize everything—the highs, lows, and everything in between.
Being grateful doesn’t mean pretending things are okay when they aren’t. It’s about reframing tough times and finding small glimmers of light even when life feels hard.
Our brains crave novelty, which is why the excitement over new things—a car, a house, or even a relationship—fades so quickly. Gratitude, however, helps you savor what you already have. It shifts your focus, helping you value and appreciate what’s lasting and meaningful.
Myth 3: Gratitude Makes You Complacent
Some people think that gratitude will make them settle for less, but it’s the opposite. Gratitude actually drives motivation. By helping you focus on what’s important, it inspires you to take meaningful action.
For example, being grateful for your job doesn’t mean going through the motions and settling for mediocrity. Instead, it’ll likely push you to do better, look for growth opportunities, or even advocate for changes in the workplace. Gratitude doesn’t hold you back—it propels you forward.
Closing Thoughts
When life feels overwhelming and it seems like there’s nothing good to hold onto, it can be hard to feel grateful. But science and countless stories prove that gratitude is worth the effort.
Years of research show that gratitude improves mental health, strengthens relationships, and boosts happiness. It’s not about ignoring the bad—it’s about broadening your view to include the good.
If you’re ready to see what gratitude can do, try our month-long challenge or try one of these 14 journal prompts. It’s filled with easy, thoughtful activities to help you build a gratitude habit.
