We are living in uncharted times. The stress of not knowing what is going to happen can easily overwhelm us. But really, we never knew what was going to happen when things were “normal”. We went about our day to day activities and planned for our lives as if we had control over them. We didn’t and we never will.

One thing I believe can help us get through the uncertainties of days ahead is to live each day in gratitude. I’ve been keeping a gratitude journal for over a year now and I can attest to the power of writing down what you are grateful for. Every night, I write down five things I’m grateful for. I start each sentence with “I am grateful for…”. It is a calming force to realize you have so much to be grateful for every day.

While there are many things that we can do to weather the storm, here are five that may guide us in developing an attitude of gratitude.

  1. Make a Plan. One of the single best things you can do to maintain positivity during tough times is to make a plan on how to deal with it. Plan things to be productive and ways to have fun. When you focus on the solution rather than the problem, you will naturally feel more positive. You will feel like you are rising to the challenge.
  2. Reach Out for Support. Support in and support out! Reach out to loved ones and offer your support. Reach out if you need assistance too. When things are dire, it is always reaffirming when people pull together and help each other. If at all possible, find ways to connect with friends and family via online resources such as Facetime, Zoom, or Skype. You can also play games with others through smartphone apps.
  3.  Take a Break. Sometimes our circumstances are so dire that we are forced to think about our problems constantly. It is OK to take a break. You can take a break from the news, social media, or other people. It might not be easy but taking a break from external stimuli can help keep you positive.
  4.  Focus on Things You Can Control. When your world seems like it is spinning out of control, you may feel helpless. One way to address this and stay more positive is to focus on the things you can control. Instead of fretting about things out of your control, focus on making sure you do your best job on the things you can control.
  5.  Think and Write About Things You are Grateful For. Even during great personal turmoil, you still have things you are grateful for. When things get tough, it is vital to remember that there is good in the world, and more importantly, in your life. When you are struggling, take some time to list the things in your life you are grateful for. Journaling is a powerful tool in so many ways. By simply giving you a place to express your gratitude, a journal helps you maintain positivity outside of its pages.

Perhaps now more than ever an attitude of gratitude is one of the best habits you can nurture. Just realizing that we have more to be thankful than we have pulling us down will help us to “keep calm and carry on”.