The Modern Thanksgiving

While many of us may tend to focus on some negatives that this holiday season brings, I encourage you to focus on the positives and the things you’re grateful for more than ever.

I’ll start:

1. I’m grateful that I am able to enjoy the holidays without having to wonder which I will spend at work.

Sure, I miss working in hospitality, but I don’t miss serving others on the holidays specifically intended for curling up on the couch after an oversized holiday meal. This year, I will lazily and graciously enjoy my holiday season the way God intended; by watching classic movies, drinking boozy coffee and hot chocolate, and intermittently passing out on the couch.

2. I’m grateful for my family’s and my own health.

If this is something that you can say this Thanksgiving, know that you’re fortunate.

3. I’m grateful that I’m just responsible for myself.

Only having to worry about my live-in boyfriend's and my own well being on a day to day basis is a blessing. For those of you still in school, planning a wedding, pregnant, or responsible for small children, you are braver than me. Turns out having minimal long term plans coming to fruition pays off during a global pandemic.

4. I’m grateful that I have too many options as to where to spend my holidays.

Having nowhere to spend the holidays is a problem. As it turns out, so is having too many options. I’ll take one of those problems over the other any day.

5. I’m grateful that I can buy Christmas gifts for my friends and family.

It may be the shopaholic in me talking, but any kind of shopping lifts my spirits. Christmas shopping has been a great activity to look forward to and focus some happy energy on. I’m so grateful to be able to afford gifts despite financial uncertainties throughout the year.

6. I’m grateful for my unpaid internship.

If anyone would have told 2019 Me that I would be working an unpaid internship after graduation, you probably would have witnessed some tears. 2020 Me knows that this is a great opportunity to get involved in a different industry and learn new things. I also have momentary visions of this internship turning out to be the best possible move for my ultimate career, but I try not to let my imagination run too wild.

7. I’m grateful for the things that still feel normal.

While it is rare, I think that having a strong feeling of pre-COVID nostalgia is a comfort to anyone. For example, I often forget the harsh realities of the world while on a walk or cruising down Lake Shore Drive and listening to music with my boyfriend.

8. I’m grateful for the unknown and the certainty of overcoming it.

In the midst of no one having any answers to most important questions for months now, I’ve come to appreciate the adaptability of those around me as well as myself. While it is unnerving never to have answers, it is wonderful to know that humans can adapt even in the most uncertain situations; whether we like it or not.

9. I’m grateful for my friends.

To all my friends, old and new, I’m grateful when we are able to get in touch and understanding when we cannot. Just know that you’re all appreciated.

10. I’m grateful for my family.

While my family is further apart than any of us imagined we would be during these holidays, I’m happy to know that we have made it through another year and we will continue to do so.

I know this Thanksgiving most likely looks different from the one that you wanted and that sucks. But instead of focusing on negatives, make a short list of what you know you’re thankful for this year. Realize that you’re still blessed even during your worst times.