Gratitude in the Cracks of Your Day

Some days, I feel like I’m playing calendar Tetris on expert mode. I’ll be pouring coffee, answering a text from one daughter, reminding the other where her shoes might be, and mentally sorting my workday before 8:00 AM.

And in the middle of it, I’ll catch myself saying,
“I’ll slow down and practice gratitude… later.”

Here’s the truth I’ve had to learn (and relearn):
Gratitude doesn’t happen in the margins of a perfect day.
It happens in the cracks of real life—in the carpool line, at the kitchen sink, between meetings, while reheating your coffee… again.

If you’ve ever thought you were “too busy” to pause and be grateful, this one’s for you.

Why Micro-Moments of Gratitude Matter

Gratitude isn’t about creating a highlight reel.
It’s about interrupting the mind’s habit of scanning for problems—especially when life is moving fast.

Neuroscience shows that even 10–20 seconds of mindful appreciation releases dopamine and serotonin, the neurotransmitters that help regulate mood, focus, and stress.

That means you don’t need a journal, a quiet corner, or a 20-minute routine.
You just need a moment.

The Power of the Pause

Think of gratitude as a reset button for your nervous system.
When your mind is racing and your body feels tense, a simple pause interrupts the cycle.

Here’s my go-to practice (I do this dozens of times a week):
1. Pause.
2. Breathe.
3. Name one thing that’s good right now.

It might be:

• warm light coming through the window

• the smell of dinner cooking

• the laugh you heard earlier

• the fact that you made it through a tough meeting

• a moment of quiet

• the softness of your blanket

Tiny. Ordinary. Holy.

When gratitude becomes small, it becomes accessible.

Where Gratitude Actually Shows Up in Real Life

Here are some real micro-moments from my own week where gratitude sneaks in:

• At a red light, noticing the leaves changing.

• While filling a water bottle, thanking God for clean water.

• In the grocery store, feeling grateful the bananas weren’t green.

• Curling my hair, grateful for the five minutes of quiet.

• Logging into Zoom, grateful for work I love.

• Hearing the girls bicker… and remembering I’m grateful they’re healthy enough to bicker. 😉

These small shifts aren’t about pretending life is perfect.
They’re about remembering life is still good… even when it’s full.

A One-Minute Gratitude Reset (for Women with No Time)

Here’s a practice you can use literally anywhere—from the kitchen to your car to the bathroom stall at Target.

The One-Minute Reset:

• Inhale for four seconds.

• Exhale for six seconds.

• Name three things you’re grateful for (out loud if you can).

That’s it.
One minute.
Your brain and body will respond almost instantly.

When Gratitude Feels Hard

Some days gratitude flows, and some days it feels like lifting a weighted blanket.
It doesn’t mean you’re failing.
It means you’re human.

On those days, don’t force emotion—just name what’s true:
“I’m grateful I made it through today.”
“I’m grateful for this breath.”
“I’m grateful for rest.”

Honest gratitude is better than perfect gratitude every time.

The Bottom Line

Gratitude doesn’t require time you don’t have.
It only requires attention.

When you learn to look for gratitude in the cracks of your day, everything shifts—your mood, your focus, your pace, your capacity. And slowly, gently, your nervous system begins to exhale.

If You Want More Peace and Clarity in This Season…

This is exactly the kind of simple, sustainable mindset work I help women build into their daily lives.
If your days feel full but your soul feels threadbare, let’s talk.

👉 Book a discovery session with me and let’s create your calm, grounded, purpose-filled rhythm for the rest of 2025.