Thanksgiving isn't celebrated where I live, but I always love to participate in the yearly tradition of reflection and giving thanks for the good in our lives. I try to do this on a daily basis, but I feel it's a bit more effective when we do it in community.
I want to take a different approach this year by listing the things I'm currently struggling with and finding the light amongst them. I'm hoping it'll help shift my perspective a bit before welcoming in a new year with new challenges.
I'm struggling with sudden unemployment
it came at the perfect time. I was working 2 jobs when I became unemployed due to company budget cuts at both. A few days later both of my grandparents got sick and though they recovered somewhat, they both need extra care... something I'm able to give. With my extra time, I'm studying Python, working on art and upgrading my skillsets. I'm taking care of long pending issues in my life and making important decisions while planning for my future. These are all things I'm grateful for and they wouldn't be possible if I hadn't become unemployed when I did.
I'm struggling to face my grandparents' mortality
their health and our routine at home changed drastically over night and it was a slap in the face for me. I didn't realize how little time they have left. That being said, everyone in our family has become extremely close with each other. I've mended relationships with distant family members and they've showed up for me in ways I never expected. They check up on me every day, constantly thank me for my role in this family and insist on reminding me that their help is only a phone call away... and they show up every single time.
I'm struggling to create genuine friendships
nothing new, but it's always something. I either meet people who aren't genuinely interested in my friendship or I meet amazing people, but I lack the energy and communication skills to keep up with them. It's isolating, specially in this phase of my life. Thankfully, the friends I do have are the best friends I could ask for. They remind me of what genuine friendship is and how good of a friend I am as well. They expect nothing from me but myself, that means the good and the bad. They love me at my worse, celebrate me at my best and I'm so grateful to have amazing people in my life.
I'm struggling to keep a consistent daily routine
since my grandparents got sick, my weeks have been filled with sleepless nights, emergency hospital visits, doctors appointments and impromptu family emergencies. My well being has been on the back burner for almost 2 months and my life has lost any sort of structure. Though I'm exhausted and unstable, I'm grateful that I'm realising what I genuinely value and need to prioritise when it comes to my health and well being. Being at this "rock bottom" is showing me the root cause of a lot of issues and I feel with a few lifestyle changes, I can put measures into place to prevent me from reaching a point of inconsistency with my well being and mental health.
This wasn't easy to write at all but I'm glad I did. It gave me a bit of hope for the person I'm going to become in the following year. I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving and take time to give thanks as well.
#Gratitude #thankful
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