Favorite Things, Life, Migraine, Writing

366 grateful days of 2024

Kari

i’ve been keeping a gratitude journal since september 2021—just a simple 50-cent spiral notebook that was meant for ella’s schoolwork. each morning, before anything else, i take a moment to jot down what i’m grateful for. it’s not always easy, but it’s become a meaningful part of my daily routine.

last year, i shared 365 things i was grateful for—one for each day. some days were easier than others, but the point was to find something good, even on the tough days. a simple piece of toast with butter could be a balm when life feels heavy.

i loved creating that post so much, i’ve decided to make it an annual tradition.

so here it is: 366 things i was grateful for in 2024 (we got an extra day!). i hope it inspires you to notice the good in your own life, no matter how small it may seem.

366 grateful days of 2024

january

the doggies squeaking their toys. my dad’s silly jokes. heated blankets. reservation dogs. my dad’s excitement over getting lou’s pizza. mom’s hamburger soup. breakfast with rebecca. a reset day. showering at night. how hard mike works for all of us. the neighbor who snowblows our sidewalk. kristen making food for us. my dad’s excitement over getting to see our dogs. the snow in the trees. our bird camera. mary oliver poems. how powerful reiki feels. pema chodron books. girls night with ella. mike fixing my wiper fluid. lunch out with bernie and rebecca. my migraine doctor. one day at a time. a few hours away with my mom. portillo’s fries and cheese sauce. a two hour nap. real housewives of miami. anna and ella’s love for each other. spending time with melanie. my dad felt like driving today. our washing machine being fixed.

february

two loved ones’ cancer going away. cleaning, organizing, saging. seeing a bluejay at the feeder. falling asleep while getting a massage. hearing a cardinal’s song for the first time this year. dad getting the day off. dinner with mom, dad, matt. my blogging community. mike making me a blt. ella loving school. conversations with dad to and from chemo. fresh air. anna visiting. taking dad to jewel to get mom a valentine. a care package from jill. the movie it could happen to you. sitting in the car at the cancer center, eating reeses’ thins and crying with mom while dad was inside. somatic dance. ella giving me the tightest hug and kiss on my head last night. beautiful weather. dad driving himself to the post office. a day spent on the couch with the dogs, while reading. putting things into the universe and seeing them come back to me. gorgeous winter weather. reiki at the end of every day. hope. finding a candle at home goods that i’ve been looking for. an extra day.

march

having the windows open. celebrating anna’s birthday with family. a good homemade smoothie. daily phone calls with anna. mike getting home safely. my hair stylist, dina. my vent journal. breakfast with cara. daylight savings. a peaceful home. dad cooking steaks on the grill. waking up slowly. good news for dad at the doctor. watching disney movies with mike and ella. a cozy, rainy day. hearing ella and avery laugh upstairs. ella opening me up to new things. mom’s irish dinner. my colonoscopy being over. it’s spring. health insurance. the people who care for dad at the hospital. the cheese curd sampler at milwaukee burger. finally being able to poop after the colonoscopy. waking to a text from anna. funny tiktoks. the chicken salad at the hospital. coffee with kristen. green grass in march. finding laughter in the midst of sadness. reese’s peanut butter egg pie.

april

how much closer my dad and i have grown. trusting the process. mcdonald’s fries and a coke. ella’s excitement when she saw mamie in the car during school pickup. having time alone in the er with dad. dr mobushar. the last saturday night in the hospital with our family. april-the traveling nurse. dad looking for me. rebecca talking to me on my parent’s deck. a meaningful poem. a peaceful transition. sleeping the entire night. kindness from so many people. discovering a bag of zinnia seeds. all the squirrels playing in our backyard. mike canceling an appointment for me. two cardinals on the picket fence. physical therapy. bedtime. mike. dinner with mom. distractions. laughing with my mom and anna (on speakerphone) at my mom peeling out of our neighborhood. remembering how good it feels to laugh. biscuits’ paw on my leg. mike, anna, and ella (i love you). my online village (i love you). this time with mom (i love you). chipotle monday.

may

lunch with rebecca. ella telling me stories while playing with my hair. it’s hammock time again. watching old slides at mom’s. a delicious brunch at maple table. going for a walk in the rain. magnificent sunset. a canceled appointment. the ritual of preparing the house for soul homework. my relationship with mom. seeing the aurora borealis from mom’s deck. a beautiful mother’s day. taking care of myself. yoga with kassandra. watching top chef while eating lunch with mike. ella cleaning the house. routines. mom and i cleaning dad’s den and feeling the shift in energy. oatmeal for dinner. making playlists at the end of the day. ella’s school. working in my dad’s garden. a good homemade grilled cheese. a day in cedarburg with mike. hearing dad’s laugh in an old video. live photos on iphone. brunch at mad rooster with mom. watching mom heal. filling up another one of these notebooks. dinner and dateline at mom’s. anna getting a new job.

june

real housewives of new jersey. lunch at nordstrom cafe with mom and mike. donuts on the deck with mom. open windows. zembrace for migraines. going to pridefest with mike, ella, and avery. doing yoga for depression with adriene. working on boundaries. dolly. iced chai lattes. talking to mom about grief. pushing myself. dan and kyle painting mom’s deck. little treats i give myself each day. friends who checked in on me on fathers day. my cousin kristy in colorado. mike’s excitement over yacht rock. my tattoo artist, audrey. the girl who worked at home goods and told us dad jokes- she felt like dad. a starbucks medicine ball. the option to not respond. lunch at our fave local mexican spot with anna and mike. eating my feelings. the bear back on hulu. seeing inside out 2 with ella and her friends. hearing 70s music in public places. crying through yoga. golden hour. curling ella’s hair at night. being with dad in a dream.

july

tip of the moon’s you tube channel. no internet all morning meant time with ella to talk. avery and ella painting the fence. getting to see anna. notification library books are in. first zinnias are blooming. our home. a yoga fart. advil. vikki/pea. my little life. culver’s butterburger. my children-they are perfection. being with jim and linda again. lazy days and nights bc covid. electrolyte water. golden hour feels like visits with dad. mike’s chocolate chip cookies. ambient music. william’s homemade caramel cake. the lady at the emergency vet who didn’t charge us. laying on mom’s couch and talking. grilled pepper jack cheese sammie. lake michigan. ice packs. mike’s spaghetti. magnesium. ella covering me when i fell asleep on the couch. getting an antibiotic for a sinus infection. being able to smell the diffuser this am. homemade mac and cheese.

august

lunch date with mike. binaural beats music. a really good fish boil. crockpot soup. healing playlists made by others. bashar on tiktok. dina and her hair salon. watching the emoji movie with ella and mike while eating pizza. taking a nap in the hammock. yoga for lymphatic system. mindfulness. school shopping with ella and mom. hearing the crows cawing outside. avocado toast and a dunk egg. the best tuna salad i’ve ever made. books on grief. baking snickerdoodles. lunch with mom and laura. mike getting stuff done without me asking. my blog. homemade pancakes. ben and jerry’s cookie dough ice cream. getting rid of things i do not need. belly laughs. a new lunch spot. chopped blt sandwich. meeting rebecca for coffee. having dinner alone with mom. brunch with melissa. slow simple living. spending time with anna and marc.

september

getting a venti drink on “accident.” a good bill of health at mom’s doctor. fall is coming soon. birthday songs at restaurants. my plants. i’m healing. writing and time to do it. my studies and the extra money they bring in. the art of daily rituals. feeling good on the inside. fish fry lunch with mom, mike, and matt. quiet evenings at home. whole foods. crunchy grapes. hummingbirds visiting mom’s deck. grandma’s dresser in our kitchen. when buddy lays in my legs. mindfully preparing meals. the dogs excitement over treats. signs from dad. rain after a drought. mom’s cooking. stranger things binge watching with ella. mark nepo. mini blueberry muffins. heinen’s. the sound of train horns. anna and marc got a house. roger is back. seeing a live band. dad coming to me in a dream.

october

guinea pig’s little squeaks. chilly weather. documentaries. weekend with no plans. homemade french toast. ella’s friends. doing soul homework by candlelight. our cvs-they’re so lovely. finding a new breakfast diner with mom. seeing teenage me in ella. windchimes. falling asleep to a good book. yoga class with melanie. ella’s kindness. toast with butter. boba. ikea with mom and mike. lunch out with mom, cathy, and michele. first sip of morning coffee. celtic salt. cinnamon gingerbread cookies. having access to mental health support. oatmeal with blueberries. sunspots. steriod treatments for pain. somebody somewhere. chipotle bowl. meeting anna for lunch. trick or treaters. crystal blue skies.

november

having had a dad like i did. talking through grief with mom while riding in the car. no migraine in five days. pumpkin pie. starbucks holiday drinks are out. all the kind helpers when mom fell. an old disney movie. good news from colonoscopy/endoscopy. taking care of anna after her surgery. old home videos. instacart. my mom. where we live. first snow. lentil soup and saltines. lunch with melanie and mom. no chocolate for two weeks. the beatles. biscuits sitting on me during morning yoga. our woodpecker. my mom’s next door neighbors, william and dana. gummies. doordash. mom’s ghoulash. electric blankets. deep sleep. mom’s cortisone shot for her knee. seat warmers in vehicles. a full bowl of colorful rocks. anxiety medication.

december

virtual reiki. this journal. sweater robes. ambient music. spotify wrapped. melatonin. my massage therapist, julie. hearing my mom and mike talk in the front seat while i doze off. yoga while listening to air supply. how cozy the house looks during holiday time. mom’s surgery went well. how independent my mom has become. child’s pose. side sleeping again. heating pads. kristen dropping off a cookie jar of treats. blogging (it’s so much fun). our local bakery. christmas tree lights. waking up to sunshine. anna and ella laughing hysterically over an old memory. mom’s cutout cookies. binge watching rhonj with ella. driving around looking at lights on christmas eve. our little family. a do nothing day. anna getting good news at the spine doctor. crying through yoga. accupressure mat. bare chicken nuggets. this.

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57 thoughts on “366 grateful days of 2024”

  1. What a fabulous practice to get into! I’ve made it a goal this year to make my sentence a day posts focus on at least one thing I am thankful/grateful for each day. Because there is always something to be thankful for even if it something incredibly small and simple that is easily taken for granted.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Your photographs always inspire me! I hope I can return the favor and inspire you to start a gratitude journal. 😊

      The sandwich was simple: tuna, mayo, celery, and onion on toasted homemade bread. I think it was the bread that made it truly unforgettable.

      Like

  5. In the midst of hardest year I can imagine, the universe and my life have been screaming out at me:

    I am good.
    I am good.
    I am good.

    And I have decided to listen. It has made all the difference in my grief. I’ll be picking back up the writing down of things to be grateful for in 2025, but I had been noticing, really intentionally noticing and recognizing it, in the past year too. But there is power in writing it down, i also know that.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Kari, not only you lists of things, but also the photos you shared that represented each month are FABULOUS!

    I especially loved all the ones about your dad.

    And that last quote you shared about little things not being little is soooooooo spot on! Today we had a heavy snowfall. And as I was walking through my favorite park, I thought to myself, “I am so grateful to have all of my senses to enjoy this moment!

    Have a great week, my friend! X

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I love all of those things about my dad too, my friend. I sure do miss him.

      You’re so good at noticing the little things—it’s truly a gift, you know.

      Wishing you a great week as well! 😘❤️

      Like

  7. It’s a very good practice, and I’m trying to be more consistent. I think I’m going to switch to writing them down each day in my desktop agenda. I live and die by the desktop agenda.

    What I really loved about this list is the wide-ranging diversity. There is so much in life to appreciate and be thankful for.

    Liked by 1 person

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

  14. This is so lovely, Kari! What a great practice and it’s really cool to see how all the gratitudes, no matter how small, add up to a huge boost in your outlook on life. The quote at the end says it all.

    I’m grateful for you, Kari!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much, Michelle! This is exactly why I love this practice and why it’s become a daily ritual for me. I’m so glad you can see me in this—it means the world.

      I’m so grateful for you too! 😘❤️

      Like

  16. This is such an immense undertaking (though I suppose when you break it down day by day, it’s pretty easy to find something good). I love that so many of yours center around food. Speaking of: what made that tuna salad the best of your life? I’m a big fan and always on the hunt for a really good tuna sandwich.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It definitely looks overwhelming reading it all at once, but it’s not when I take it day by day. Some days I can only jot down one or two things, and others, I write a lot more.

      You’re the second person to ask about the tuna, which makes me happy! It was tuna, mayo, onion, celery, and toasted homemade bread. I think it was the homemade bread that really made it. And of course, it’s always toasted. I love a good tuna sandwich too—if you ever find a great one, let me know! 🤣

      Liked by 1 person

      1. My recipe has those same ingredients, but I also add a splash of lemon juice and a dash of salt and pepper. Has to be Genoa brand tuna in olive oil, too. I’m very particular about my tuna!

        And I have yet to find a better tuna sandwich than Subway.

        Liked by 1 person

  17. It took me a while to comment because I wanted to read through each month carefully. First, I’m glad I’m not the only one who has kept all my kids’ leftover spiral notebooks to use, rather than wastefully throwing them away. I keep one next to my desktop computer to take notes, do math, etc. My notes for this comment are on the spiral!

    Second, I forgot that there are some Heinen’s in Chicago!!! I love my Heinen’s because it makes grocery shopping less of a chore. They have the BEST produce and meat. All their chicken (at least in Ohio) comes from Amish Country.

    And now for the questions: what is Jewel? what are reservation dogs? what’s a dunk egg (is it over easy or as my grands call them, ‘dippy eggs’?) what is a Reese’s peanut butter egg pie? what is in hamburger soup besides ground meat? what was the candle you were looking for at Home Goods?

    I’m glad your 2024 had so many special moments, despite the grief. Here’s to lots to be grateful for in 2025!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. First, I love that you took your time to read through thoroughly. Thank you for that! This is really thoughtful, and as someone with ADHD, I really appreciate it! 🤣

      I have SO many spiral notebooks, yet I still buy them at the beginning of the school year. So, I won’t need to buy any more grateful journals for a long time. I love that you keep notes for your comments—that’s actually such a good idea! I’m always scrolling up and down when commenting on blogs!

      Yes! We have several in the Chicago area, and they’re the best! You’re so right about their produce. I also love their deli and bakery. My mom loves going there, so sometimes we stop by when we’re picking up Ella from school (there’s one right down the street).

      Jewel is our local grocery store chain. Reservation Dogs is such a good show! I was going to link it and forgot. We binge-watched it last January and may have to rewatch it soon. Dunk eggs are dippy eggs! I found a Reese’s peanut butter egg pie on TikTok around Easter… I just sent it to you on TikTok. 🩷 My mom’s hamburger soup is ground beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions… kind of like a stew, but we always called it hamburger soup. She made a lot of old recipes last year when Dad was sick. Comfort food. The candle was Paddywax Wild Fig and Vetiver.

      I’m so glad too. 😘❤️

      Like

  18. These are great little nuggets to look back on. What a wonderful practice. I laughed at yoga fart. I didn’t know about Anna buying a house? Did I read that right? Also how am I Irish and unaware of celtic salt? Thanks for sharing this.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. There’s NOTHING like a yoga fart. It feels so good. 😂

      Yep! I don’t usually share personal news here, but this one was definitely worth a little share.

      LOL, yeah Ernie! How did you not know?! I just learned about it this year. It’s pretty much like any other sea salt.

      Like

  19. I loved reading this. It concretes the fact that there is always something good even in the midst of heartache.

    I love your dedication to your soul homework and your journaling; it’s very admirable.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, exactly!

      Aww, thank you, friend. I must say, I really enjoy doing it—otherwise, I wouldn’t have stuck with it. It’s brought me a lot of joy over the last several years. ❤️

      Like

  22. I loved reading this, Kari ~ and it inspired me to get my gratitude journal out of hiding!

    The photo of your dad standing in front of the Valentine’s Day cards…I remember seeing that photo last year, on IG, I believe. One of my favorites. Because even though he was so sick, he still wanted to go to the store and get a Valentine’s Day card for his wife. That is LOVE.

    You made me smile when you mentioned my name in your gratitude list. I am humbled and honored that I made your list!

    Can you believe I’ve never fallen asleep during a massage? I think because of anxiety. I’ve also never ordered from Instacart or Door Dash. Ooh – maybe I can add that to my gratitude list…that I’m grateful that I haven’t HAD to order from either of those services yet.

    You mentioned avocado toast and a dunk egg. I give. What’s a dunk egg?

    xoxo

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I love that it inspired you to get your grateful journal out!

      I KNOW. I remember standing there with him… oh my god, I’m crying. He was taking his time, so weak from chemo, and had to wear his mask in public. There were so many people out shopping, and I was worried about him being out there. But he wanted to go shopping for my mom—it was something he did for her every year.

      When we checked out, he wanted to use some money he’d gotten from the government—it was a tax credit or something on a debit card. He used it to get gift cards for all of us, picking each one out individually. All the grandkids, me, my brother, Mike—he asked me what everyone liked.

      I remember my mom and I using the Starbucks gift card last summer and crying in the drive-through. There are just so many layers to grief.

      I’m so grateful for you, my friend. This year, I decided to use real names in the post. I want this blog to be something children and grandchildren can read someday—a little guidepost showing what my life was like and the people who meant so much to me. 💕

      I’ve fallen asleep during massages MANY times. Sometimes I wish I didn’t because I feel like I’m missing out on the massage! 🤣

      And dunk egg is a sunny-side-up egg!

      Liked by 1 person

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