When the pandemic started in early 2020, I don’t think anyone realized that we would be celebrating the holidays wearing masks, relying on hand sanitizer, and having to remain socially distanced. This year’s struggles have been real, and rough, for everyone. Especially working moms. Practicing gratitude may seem impossible given how 2020 has treated us, but it’s essential for our own well-being, and the well-being of our families.
Why Gratitude matters
Practicing gratitude has scientifically-proven, physical and mental benefits. This Forbes article has the details, but here is the summary. Gratitude...
builds relationships.
motivates you to take better care of your physical health.
improves psychological health.
enhances empathy and reduces aggression.
provides better sleep.
improves self esteem.
increases mental strength.
The better sleep benefit alone makes me want to practice gratitude, but this list as a whole makes it obvious that working moms cannot afford to skip gratitude this year. We need it now more than ever.
5 Ways Working Moms Can Be Intentionally Grateful
This list is just the tip of the iceberg for ways we can practice gratitude as busy working moms. Start with these activities, then get creative and find your own ways to show and internalize your gratitude. Your body, mind, and family will return the favor and thank you for it!
What good things have happened in 2020? This year needs a reset, so let’s start with our own perspectives on this year. Yes, lots of bad things have happened, but there have been some good things too. For example, my family has usually suffered from a couple of colds and a stomach bug or two by this time every year. Because of the extra precautions because of COVID-19, we’ve not been exposed to the germs that we usually do. Think about 5 things you are thankful for that happened in 2020 and write them down somewhere to remind you of the good.
Start a gratitude journal. You may have heard of this idea before and not done it because it’s another thing to add to your to-do list. Trust me, I get it. And if that is you, scale down the journal to simply writing down what you are thankful for on a sticky note before you open your computer. The point is, starting your day with the things you are gratitude for makes a difference in your attitude and outlook for the rest of the day. And remember that what you write down doesn’t have to be a novel or anything profound. Finding your lost tube of chapstick is a totally legitimate thing to be thankful for!
Tell people that you are grateful for them, or what they have done. It’s so easy to skip saying thank you when we are busy, busy, busy. But beyond just saying thanks, take the time to really be open and generous with your gratitude. Did your child decide to make his bed without you asking? Take thanks a step further by telling him how proud you are of the little man he is becoming and give him an extra hug. Did your co-worker do something that made your job easier, even though they didn’t have to? Make sure they know how they helped and that you enjoy working with them in general.
Pause when you find something to be thankful for. Pause here can be as quick five-seconds to really let your gratitude think in. Take the time to really think about why you are grateful and how the thing, person, or circumstance is bringing you joy. For example, I saw the most beautiful sunrise last week. I didn’t want to be up that early, but I was, and I allowed myself to watch the beautiful sky for a few seconds before I moved on with my morning routine.
Ask your family to practice gratitude with you. Kids are surprisingly good accountability partners! Practicing gratitude with your kids on a regular basis will keep thankfulness top of mind at home and throughout your work day. Here are some easy and practical ideas:
I like the fun game, “Aren't we lucky?” where you take turns saying “Aren’t we lucky” that XYZ… Aren’t we lucky that papa and nana live so close? Aren’t we lucky we have a fun playroom?
At dinner every night we share what we are grateful for. We also have a clear "gratitude bowl" that we fill up with little notes that share things we are grateful for. We love seeing our “gratefuls” pile high in the jar!
My daughters also had a "happiness jar" when they were little where I wrote down little things that we or they were happy about. We found them again the other night and it was fun to go through those with them! It was a fun and uplifting walk down memory lane.
Let Parents Pivot Help
Are you struggling to return to work after a career break? Is the transition back to work more difficult than you expected? We’d love to chat with you about how we can help. Contact Anna, working mom of two daughters and founder of Parents Pivot, today!
