How to Heal: Reflections on a 30-Day Gratitude Practice

For the last month, I shared one to three points of gratitude a day on my Instagram stories. It came about because of the monthly mission from last month’s Leader’s Oracle newsletter. I wanted a way to be more intentional about noticing what’s good, even in a complicated world.

Here’s what I noticed.

1. Gratitude is powerful. Sharing it is... complicated.

I’ve been mostly off social media to protect my mental and emotional health. This challenge required me to be online every single day, and I didn’t love that.

Even though I didn’t intend to, I’d inevitably see the day’s headlines, hot takes, and general chaos. It was overwhelming. Sometimes it was heartbreaking. Other times, just disappointing. Managing the emotional aftermath of that wasn’t something I had planned for but it became part of the experience.

The accountability to reflect each day was meaningful. The obligation to package and post it was sometimes annoying. It took time I didn’t always want to give, especially when I just wanted to be present in my own life. So while I appreciate the discipline of showing up, I’m clearer than ever that I prefer my gratitude private, at least most of the time.

2. But connection still happened.

A few people reached out when I was late posting. One friend said seeing the stories helped them pause and reflect. That surprised me in a good way. Apparently even a small practice, done imperfectly, can ripple out more than you think.

It was nice to use the stories to uplift some of the creators and thinkers whose work I’m grateful for. Sharing their work felt like gratitude rooted in mutual learning and joy.

I also got to reconnect with a few people I hadn’t spoken to in a while. That was a gift.

3. Most of my gratitude was for the so-called “basics.”

Food.
Shelter.
Family.
Joy.
Opportunities to rest or recover.
The ability to learn something new.

It feels naive to take any of that for granted and scary that so many people have had those essentials taken away, or could in the future. I don’t think “the basics” are basic at all. I think they’re the whole point.

4. The algorithm isn’t neutral.

Halfway through the month, I watched The Social Dilemma and went down a digital safety rabbit hole. What I found was infuriating and affirming. The tech bros knowingly limit their own children’s access to the very platforms they helped build. They understand the manipulation because they designed it. It was gross but also motivating.

After a month of having my phone in my hand more than usual, I’m more committed than ever to being intentional about how I use devices. That clarity alone was worth the whole experiment.

5. A habit really can take root.

After the first couple of weeks, looking for something to be grateful for became so automatic. It reminded me how possible it is to create a new rhythm with just a little consistency and this applies to any habit I want to build.

What’s next?
I’ll keep practicing gratitude but mostly in private. I guess I’ll share it publicly if the spirit moves me. I’m glad I did the challenge but I’m even more glad to return to my own pace and boundaries. I will do a new 30-day challenge b/c this structure seems to make new habits things more doable for me. I’ll share it via the next Monthly Mission in the next newsletter.

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