The Problem With Gratitude
Hang on, gratitude's a good thing, right?
Practicing gratitude is often recommended as a powerful tool to ease anxiety.
Scientific studies have shown that writing down or vocalizing the things you're thankful for, especially before bedtime, can help alleviate anxiety.
However, despite this proven benefit, I found myself struggling with the practice.
Initially, I would list the things I was grateful for in the present moment.
I would express my gratitude for my job, my friends, and my family.
But rather than easing my anxiety, this exercise began to trigger it.
I started worrying about the future, wondering what would happen if my business failed or if I lost the important things and people in my life.
The thought of these valuable aspects of my life disappearing heightened my anxiety instead of calming it.
The more I focused on how grateful I was for these things, the more I feared losing them.
How I made it work for me
The turning point came when I changed my approach to practicing gratitude.
Instead of expressing thanks for current aspects of my life, I began to focus on memories.
I would recall specific moments and experiences that I was grateful for.
For example, I would reflect on a wonderful trip I had taken or a cherished memory with a loved one.
These memories are unchangeable; nothing can take them away.
I found solace in the fact that these moments had happened and would always be a part of my life.
Feeling good, feeling grateful
Shifting my gratitude practice to focus on past memories made a significant difference.
Now, when I list the things I'm grateful for each night, I think of these cherished memories.
This change has helped reduce my anxiety and has made the practice of gratitude more effective and enjoyable for me.
By appreciating the permanent, unchangeable moments of the past, I no longer fear the potential loss of my current blessings.
This adjustment has truly transformed my nightly gratitude routine and has greatly improved my overall well-being.
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