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365 grateful days – 2023

Kari

2023 was not our best year.

legs breaking, cars stalling, moms falling, dads getting very sick.

when mike broke his leg, we found comfort in reading my gratitude journal aloud, which has become a part of my daily routine.

surprisingly, despite the difficulties, we discovered a lot of joy.

keeping a gratitude journal, which is part of my soul homework every morning, has proven to be a very worthwhile practice. it has become part of my daily routine, like drinking coffee and brushing my teeth.

recently, my friend Jill shared an article by summer brennan called “My Year of Writing Dangerously.” summer’s daily project of documenting 1,825 things reminded me a little of my daily gratitude journal.

inspired, i decided to share 365 things i was grateful for in the hopes that it will inspire and support someone who is facing similar challenges. some days brought a flood of reasons to be grateful, while others offered one.

the point is that there was good in every day, no matter how difficult.

isn’t it inspiring to know that, even in the darkest of times, there is always something good to hold onto? writing this post brought me some much-needed joy. i hope it resonates with you.

365 grateful days of 2023

january

a fresh start. a woodpecker on our bird camera. turning anna’s room into my private space. seeing a cardinal. dinner conversation with my parents. anna’s moment of clarity with her grandmother who has alzheimer’s. not doing anything all day. ella having fun at her sleepover. spotify free trial. a good massage. spring-like day in january. sunshine on ella’s birthday. my simple life. french fries. a good night’s sleep. routine. a purple sky. trying a new restaurant. gilmore girls. grandkittyyy. a new breakfast diner. a pretty snowfall. daily wordle. getting home safely. birdsong. plant watering=cathartic. my blogging friends. lunch with mike. stranger things marathon. sunshine. distractions.

february

rainbows on the wall. anna feeling better. a good cry. soul homework playlist. pink sunrise. this journal. happy memories. meeting anna for lunch. a good week for ella. vanilla ice cream cone. lunch with friends. snuggling with the dogs. our window feeder. mike getting home safely. sunny morning. music. i’m content. ella’s laughter upstairs. my blog. spotify. pedicure with a friend. my friendships. coffee and conversation. soul homework. a clean house. mom painting ella’s nails. release of emotions. a new perspective.

march

a safe flight. ella’s friendships. my playlists. dunk eggs and toast. good library haul. my vent journal. this moment right here. daylight savings. portillo’s. breakfast with anna. finding a good tv show. mom and dad here for coffee. gestalt therapy. anna’s 23rd birthday. mom’s irish dinner. my hairstylist. no more periods. cardinal song for the first time. deep conversations. seed packet shopping. long phone conversation with anna. london fog latte. rebecca’s joy over her granddaughter. lazy saturday. a stiff drink. candlelight. good humans. mourning dove calls. emotional maturity. a good hamburger.

april

birthday month. my portable lamp. “coincidences.” no cavities. buds on the trees. 65 degreee day. working in the yard. easter at my parents. sitting on the patio. so many birds singing today. hammocks again. my children. shake shack date. mom and dad here for dinner. world market. spring. green grass. my parents health. dinner with a friend. stickers. my tattoo. mike’s chocolate chip cookies. leftover pizza. incense. my friends’ thoughtfulness. an amazing birthday. afternoon nap. reset day. terrariums.

may

almost done with this notebook = so many things to be grateful for. a beautiful evening. a new hamster. grilling food. migraine went away. therapeutic cleaning. a bee that didn’t sting me. purple. cardinals kissing on our feeder. mothers day. windows open. grieving journey. rain. my masseuse. buddy recovering. cosplay. zinnias. ella recovering from a cold. last day of school. our home. newborn babies. chicago. birds. good energy. summer break. horses. 17 years of marriage. our pool. dessert. the outdoors. no plans.

june

magnesium. museums. homemade pancakes. caring humans. sitting outside with neighbors. donuts. crispy tacos. our backyard. breakfast with mike and his dad. heating pads. a good poop. fresh picked strawberries. good news. pain relief. coffee shops. 80s music. simplicity. singing in the car. air conditioning. intuition. salads. sunday dinners at mom and dads. tiktok. thoughtfulness. binaural beats. yoga. brunch. binge watching. a long walk. getting braces off.

july

physical therapy. grilled cheese. ice packs. herbs. playing in the pool. italian food. cat socks. sandhill cranes. chicken nuggets. my little family. cbd. teva sandals. ella and anna going to a movie together. solfeggio music. cinnamon rolls. my library. laughing through tears. our server at the restaurant. girls night with ella. blossoms in my soul garden. bagels and cream cheese. essential oils. conquering a fear. bigger pictures. seeing an old friend. accepting my faults. feedly. working through emotions. two chipmunks in the garden. ella’s sense of humor.

august

finding a new doctor. real housewives. a throw together dinner. yoga healing my back. my friend becoming a grandma. deep breaths. my relationship with anna. blooming flowers. surrendering to life. a quiet day. my blankie. a new coffee drink. the universe. celebrating my mom’s birthday. ella thriving. mom and dad dropping off sweet corn. the fun aisle at aldi. anna getting a raise. how happy the dogs are to see me when i come home. a family of swans on our walk. the comments on my blog. cozy evenings. darker earlier doesn’t bother me anymore. accupressure mat. not listening to my thoughts. a good stretch. catching a migraine in time. unexpected check in the mail. watching an old movie. clouds in the sky. our pool on a 90 degree day.

september

catsitting. where we live. cold brew. the caring er doctor who looked like kristin wiig. mindfulness. health insurance. sunflowers blooming. self-care. depot dogs. crying through yoga. mourning an old routine. waking to a clean kitchen. mike’s employer. hashbrowns. my parents. waking a half hour earlier. chai latte. mike’s surgeon. everything, everywhere, all at once. vodka. body scrub. watching old home movies. learning from bloggers. one day at a time. sleep. sunshine for four days straight. ella and her friends. sleepover at my parents with anna and ella. dad getting donuts for us first thing in am while we slept. a day off.

october

new pens. chilly weather. synchronicities. sweatpants. ella’s kindness. mike making coffee for me (the first time since his fall). going with the flow. deep tissue massage. roger. chipotle burrito bowl. homemade chicken pot pie. ella cleaning the house. spirit guides. seeing titty in our garage. my new purple socks. mike being able to drive again. trusting the universe. my blog community. jimmy johns delivery. the thought of future plans. my reiki class. feeling refreshed. twix candy bars. shopping and lunch with my parents. mike feeling safe with me. “jewel dinner.” a new week. homemade chicken salad. quiet time to write. looking at old pictures. ella still excited to trick or treat.

november

deep cleaning. my mom recovering from her fall. buddy laying inside my legs when he sleeps. my dad so excited when i brought him mcdonald’s coffee on his birthday. sun earlier in the morning. audio message texting with anna. mike’s job. mike healing. sage. my tattoo artist. chakra work with mike. toy story. my migraine medication. 8 hours of straight sleep. no more boot. the idea of vacation in may. hot chocolate. mike making dinner last night. ella’s love of animals. caffeine. day in the city. thanksgiving at my mom and dads. lights on the christmas tree. the first snow. finished christmas shopping. staying in my lane. a new car. seeing a friend in a different light. sore throat just allergies. dogs following me around house all day.

december

felt feelings. my heated blanket. journaling. trivia night. my relationships. ikea. christmas lights. antidepressants. 55 degrees. a long shower. dad’s back pain going away. refrigerator getting fixed. a new yoga routine. dad’s positive attitude. a long cry. lotion/barefoot dreams on feet at bedtime. kringle. healthcare workers. the end of a migraine. the fireplace in the hospital lobby. dad being released. grocery shopping with mom. how the sky looked tonight. good things in the midst of bad. cardinal bird songs on spotify. my dad talking to us on ring from his hospital bed. dr. karama. dad eating two slices of pizza. being home. doggy squeaky toys. dad is home.

i guess it wasn’t such a bad year after all.

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40 thoughts on “365 grateful days – 2023”

  2. Pingback: Something Good | Open Space Practice, (AKA: A Thousand Shades of Gray)

  4. I didn’t have the best 2023 either, nothing as lousy as yours, but certainly not like I thought it’d be. That being said, thanks for sharing the highlights of your year. I know that there can be good in anything if you remember to look for it.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. “surprisingly, despite the difficulties, we discovered a lot of joy.”

    That’s awesome, Kari! Isn’t it something how by going through difficulties we are shown things to be grateful for and feel joy? Through some of the most challenging times in my life, I simultaneously felt an underlining feeling of peace, hope, and a knowingness that I was being “held”.

    “the point is that there was good in every day, no matter how difficult.”

    A-MEN!It’s all depends on how perspective and where we choose to look.

    Love your list of 365 days. Many of which made me smile because I could relate to them.

    And GREAT photos too! That last one (December) warmed my heart!

    Thanks you for sharing your “grace” with us, my friend!

    X

    Liked by 1 person

  9. My 2023 was definitely one of my most difficult to navigate. I really needed this post right now and you’ve inspired me to start a gratitude journal. So many little things that bring great pleasure, but you forget about them as the weeks pass. It’s good to look back and remember.

    I read through all of yours and chose one from each month that I’m also grateful for: Trying a new restaurant, pink sunrises, good library haul, terrariums, windows open, 80s music, laughing through tears, real housewives, caring doctor (though I’ve never had one that looked like Kristin Wiig!!! LOL!), my blog community, 8 hours of straight sleep, 55 degrees in December.

    I hope 2024 brings you even more gratitude moments. XO

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I know that 2023 was difficult for you. I’m so relieved for you and your siblings now that the house is sold. I hope 2024 is a better year for all. 😘

      My gratitude journal, which is essentially a 50-cent spiral notebook, is the best thing I write in every day. It’s so good to look back and remember.

      The doctor who looked like Kristen Wiig had no idea who she was! She was so nice to us. This year, the universe has graced us with some truly wonderful doctors and nurses. I am extremely grateful for all of them. ❤️

      Like

  11. Oh I love this. There IS good in every day.

    During the early days of the pandemic, I forced my family to write something we were grateful for on cuts of leaves and petals and we would tape them to the wall on top of a big paper tree trunk I’d cut out. Even though they quickly grew tired of it, I loved the practice… well, maybe not the practice as much as seeing the tree bloom and spread in front of us. While it may not work for everyone, this is a good reminder that I find value in this naming of good things and I appreciate you for bringing it to my attention again. You are a good thing, Kari. Today and every day <3

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks, Kari! Yes, I posted a couple of times about it, first post here: https://lifeofadoctorswife.wordpress.com/2020/04/16/gratitude-tree/

        And then you can see the full tree here: https://lifeofadoctorswife.wordpress.com/2021/01/15/friday-randomosity-once-again-mostly-about-food-and-grocery-shopping-edition/

        My daughter and I cut out a ton of petals and leaves and then put all the cutouts in a bag on the counter along with a marker. Then we wrote something on them every day and masking taped them to the wall. It was so nice to have a visual reminder of the good things during such a dark period.

        Liked by 1 person

  12. What an example you set for us all to emulate Kari :) 2023 was a year I was happy to see the back off, but of course there were moments to feel grateful for and memories to cherish. I don’t tend to do a daily gratitude, but I am inspired to do the same exercise to see if I can change my view about the year which has finished.

    Sending love for all you have going on <3

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’d love for you to keep a daily gratitude journal to see all the good! Definitely give it a try, even for a month.

      I wish you a much better 2024. Deb.

      Thank you for your love. He’s fighting the good fight. ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  13. I really enjoyed reading through your moments of happiness. What wonderful things! Yep. I do not look at life in big chunks anymore. It is asking for a kick in the gut tbh. 2022 was awful and hey! 2023 was even worse! Some things do not change or pass or improve. Why waste the time? Focus on right now. Is right now pretty good? Yes? Then hug the crap out of it. Give right now your attention. Share your joy in right now if you can.

    I hope right now is good for you Kari. Right now is important.

    PS
    Also big in my house – we have given up “pre-worrying”. We say: “that’s a tomorrow problem”. I refuse to let tomorrow steal the wonderfulness of right now.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I hate that 2022 was awful, and 2023 was even worse. I hope 2024 is a bit better for you.

      Right now, friend, everything is good. My mom and I were just talking about this today. How are we both so focused right now? We’ve never been so focused on the present. I hope to carry this lesson with me for the rest of my life.

      Pre-worrying! Yes! I love that word! Mike has always told me, “We won’t worry until there is something to worry about.” That feels very similar.

      Maddie, I am so glad we are alive at the same time. ❤️

      Like

  14. Oh, what a year you had, Kari. It’s nice that you can find some good among the bad, and now you can look back at this post to remind yourself of what was good.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Perspective IS everything, isn’t it?
    I love that you found SO many wonderful things in your year to be grateful for. This list is beautiful, like you and your heart. XO

    Liked by 1 person

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