Two Simple Gratitude Practices That Bring Us Back to Ourselves
In the Raregivers community, so much of our energy is spent caring for others that our own needs can fade into the background. When life is full and resources are scarce, “self-care” can feel out of reach. But gratitude, when approached gently, can offer small moments of grounding that support us from the inside out. These two practices are simple, require just a few moments of time, and can be woven into the life you’re already living.
Notice the Gratitude That’s Already Here
This traditional gratitude practice isn’t about pretending things are easy. It’s about remembering that being alive, breathing, and getting through each moment connects us to something larger than the stress we’re carrying.
Begin this practice by taking a brief pause or a breath between tasks and sense what’s already here. Use whatever senses you have available:
The feel of the air on your skin
The way your body is supported by a chair or bed
A familiar sound—footsteps, a voice you love, the hum of a machine
The simple fact that you are here, doing the best you can
The smell of a pet, plant or candle
These tiny moments can remind us that we belong—to a community, to nature, to our family lineage. We can use all of our senses to understand how we are connected to something greater than ourselves. Gratitude can bloom quietly just from noticing that life is still moving through us, even on the hard days.
Remember a Moment Someone Appreciated You
Caregiving can sometimes feel invisible. So take a moment to recall a time—big or small—when someone thanked you, recognized your effort, or showed kindness in your presence.
Maybe someone told you they were relieved you showed up. Maybe you saw a stranger offer a kind gesture and felt the warmth of it. Maybe someone simply said, “I’m glad you’re here.”
Let that memory come back slowly. Notice where it lands in your body:
Belly center: Does it feel warm, steady, or grounding?
Heart center: Does it soften, open, or brighten slightly?
Head center: What story are you telling yourself about being appreciated?
Recalling these small moments helps us reconnect to our impact and our relationships—especially on days when caregiving feels heavy.
Why Gratitude Helps Us Regulate
Gratitude is a connection-based emotion. When we feel or remember it, our nervous system gets the message that it’s safe enough to ease out of constant alert mode.
For Raregivers, who so often operate under stress, vigilance, and emotional labor, gratitude isn’t just a nice idea, it’s a regulation tool. It softens the edges. It helps our bodies remember that we deserve calm too.
A Final Note
These practices don’t require extra time, special tools, or emotional perfection. They simply invite us to pause, feel, and remember. Gratitude doesn’t dismiss hardship—it coexists with it, offering small moments of grounding that help us stay present for ourselves and for those we care for.
May these practices bring you a steady breath and a moment of ease today.
Coming Up Next Week: Holiday Survival Kit: Giving Yourself & Your Family Permission To Feel
The holiday season can be joyful—and overwhelming. For raregivers, it can also stir up complex emotions, added responsibilities, and unexpected stress. Join us for a special support circle designed to help you move through the season with more compassion, connection, and ease.
Together, we’ll explore what it means to give yourself and your family permission to feel—to acknowledge grief and gratitude, exhaustion and hope, and everything in between.
This gentle, judgment-free space will offer heartfelt conversation and community support to help you create your own “Holiday Survival Kit.”
Please Join Us for the Women's Empowerment Circle every Tuesday at 10am PST.
You may not realize how much you need the Raregivers community until you find it.
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84782918881
We look forward to being with you soon.
