Finding Gratitude in Chaos

You don’t need a perfect holiday to have a grateful heart, just start where you are

By Rachel Cruze

With shopping lists a mile long, a calendar packed with events and about a hundred things waiting to be checked off your to-do list, it’s no wonder the holidays can feel more overwhelming than joyful. According to a recent survey, over half of Americans say the holiday season stresses them out. And nearly 70% feel like they have to pretend to be happier than they really are.1

One big reason for that is we live in a world of “more.” More shopping, more stuff, more to do, more everything. But even with all that, so many of us feel empty and exhausted. How is it possible to have so much and still not feel happy? At the end of the day, “more” can’t fix a heart that’s always looking for the next thing. Gratitude is what flips that script.

What Is Gratitude?

Gratitude is more than a feeling. It’s a mindset. It’s a choice we make every single day to recognize the good in our lives, even when things aren’t perfect (because let’s be honest, they never are).

I know it’s hard to feel grateful when you wake up to a messy house and a toddler tantrum before you’ve even had coffee. (Been there!) But Scripture reminds us to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). That means we don’t wait for everything to be perfect before we start being thankful.

When you slow down and pay attention to what you already have, something shifts. You stop comparing, stop chasing and start enjoying the life God has given you. Gratitude doesn’t change your circumstances — but it absolutely changes your heart.

Simple Ways to Practice Gratitude Every Day

You don’t need a big, complicated plan to grow a more thankful heart. Just a few small, daily choices can help gratitude become a way of life — not just a once-a-year feeling around the holidays.

So, if you’re ready to focus on what really matters this season, here are four easy ways to practice gratitude through the holidays (and beyond).

• Start your day with thanks. Before you grab your phone or jump into your to-do list, take a minute to write down three things you’re grateful for. It could be something big — like a warm home or your family’s health — or something small, like hot coffee, fuzzy socks or a quiet car ride.
• Say it out loud. When you’re thankful for something or someone, say it. Don’t keep it in your head. Gratitude grows when you speak it out loud. Thank your spouse, your coworker, your kids or even the grocery store cashier. A little encouragement goes a long way.
• Make it a family thing. Gratitude is contagious. So, make it part of your family routine! Around the dinner table or before bedtime, ask everyone to share one thing they’re thankful for. It’s simple, meaningful and such a sweet way to connect.
• Give it away. Generosity and gratitude go hand in hand. When you give (whether it’s your time, a kind word, a meal or a gift), you start seeing your blessings in a whole new light. Look for a way to bless someone else this season. It’ll change your perspective and your heart.

How to Stay Thankful When Life Gets Hectic

Okay, we’ve talked about some practical ways to practice gratitude. But now I want to get a little more personal. And don’t worry, I’m not coming after you! I just mean that these next steps take a little more intention and a lot more heart. Because when life gets crazy, choosing gratitude takes real focus.

• Pause before reacting. Life doesn’t always go as planned, especially during the holidays. Next time you feel overwhelmed, take a deep breath and name one thing you’re grateful for. Just one. This isn’t about pretending things are perfect. It’s about focusing on what’s still good and true.
• Create margin. People pleasers, I love you — but this one’s for you. Gratitude needs space to grow. Say no to the things that drain you, and protect time for the things (and people) that fill your cup.
• Watch your inputs. Social media can be a major gratitude killer. If you find yourself feeling behind because your house doesn’t look like a Hallmark movie or your gifts don’t stack to the ceiling, take a step back. Comparison steals joy — don’t give it the power to steal your gratitude too.

We Have So Much Already

If you were to really stop and think about all the things you’re thankful for, I bet it would be a pretty long list! So go ahead and start today. Write them down, say them out loud and watch how it changes your perspective. When you focus on what you have instead of what you’re missing, you’ll realize: You might not have a perfect life or a perfect holiday, but you already have so much.

And that’s where real happiness starts.

* Rachel Cruze is a two-time #1 national bestselling author, financial expert, host of The Rachel Cruze Show and co-host of Smart Money Happy Hour. Since 2010, Rachel has served at Ramsey Solutions, where she teaches people how to avoid debt, budget and win with money at any stage in life. She’s an energetic and thought-provoking speaker and has been speaking to audiences as large as 10,000 since the age of 15 when she began making appearances with her father, Dave Ramsey. She has appeared on Good Morning America, Today, Live With Kelly and Ryan, CNN Tonight, Fox and Friends and the Rachael Ray Show and has been featured in the Woman’s Day, Success and Real Simple magazines. Rachel believes it’s possible for anyone to turn around their finances, win with money, and build a life they love. Follow Rachel on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X.