As we brace for the holiday this week, we’re reminded of giving thanks: for the people we love, the comforts we enjoy, the blessings around us. But there’s a deeper layer of gratitude that often gets overlooked — the gratitude within us. Instead of only thanking the external (“what we have”), what if we paused this month to thank ourselves: for our qualities, our resilience, our uniqueness?

Why turn gratitude inward?

Typically, gratitude focuses outward: “I’m thankful for my family,” “I’m grateful for my home,” “I love my pets.” And those are wonderful and important. But when we shift the lens inward, a few things happen:

• We acknowledge qualities that make us who we are — our kindness, curiosity, creativity, perseverance.
• We build self‑recognition and self‑esteem by noticing our internal assets rather than only external acquisitions.
• We anchor our wellbeing not just on what happens to us but who we are and how we respond.

In other words: gratitude doesn’t have to be just about what surrounds us, but also about what lives within us.

How might we get started?

Consider the following (it can be helpful to grab a piece of paper, but do what feels best to support you):

• Which qualities make you you, and which of them are you most proud of?
• When you look back on a challenge you’ve navigated, what inner strength or trait helped you?
• What small act of kindness, creativity, or resilience did you show recently (maybe no one else noticed) — and can you say “thank you” to yourself for it?

This month, let your gratitude include you. Let it celebrate the internal — the quiet but powerful part of you that shows up daily.  

I’d love to keep this conversation going in the comments. Feel free to share what thoughts came up for you and what lovely qualities you will celebrate this week and beyond.