Gratitude

Author: David Schepkowski - Published: 23.07.2025

Gratitude is the conscious acknowledgment of what is already present - and it not only contributes to more positive emotions in daily life, but also helps build resilience. In this article, you'll learn how to cultivate gratitude as both a mindset and a ritual in your everyday life.


THE BASICS

What is Gratitude?

Gratitude is the inner feeling of appreciation toward something you receive, experience, or notice. It shifts your focus away from what’s missing and toward what’s already there.


How does Gratitude look like?

Gratitude can be expressed in many everyday ways:


  • A consciously spoken “thank you” that’s more than just a reflex
  • A moment of stillness to recognize the good around you
  • A small gesture toward someone you want to thank


Why value Gratitude?

Gratitude can improve your quality of life in many ways:

  • It strengthens your emotional resilience in difficult times
  • It deepens relationships through sincere connection
  • It helps you develop more grounded and realistic expectations

Things to keep in mind with Gratitude

Like all values, gratitude should be expressed authentically. But we can also learn to be grateful for things we may have previously taken for granted due to unrealistic expectations. While some people only realize the value of something after loss or hardship, you don’t have to wait for tragedy to feel gratitude - for life, for a relationship, or for what already is.

 

When Gratitude goes too far

Gratitude doesn’t mean putting on rose-colored glasses and accepting all pain with a smile just because someone “has it worse.” It’s about seeing what’s good despite hardship - not comparing yourself to others or how grateful you’re “supposed to be” according to social norms.


Reflective questions about Gratitude

  • What can I be thankful for today - even in myself?
  • Who is someone I haven’t thanked enough recently?
  • Does my latest disappointment reflect realistic expectations?


Living up to your value of Gratitude

Here are three levels of implementation to make solicitude a living value in your daily life.


LEVEL 1

  • Practice: Say “thank you!” enthusiastically, especially as a customer in the service industry.
  • List: Make a list of everything and everyone you’re grateful for and keep it nearby.
  • Pause: Take a moment to mentally acknowledge what you’re thankful for right now.

LEVEL 2

  • Gratitude Letter: Write a letter of thanks, even if you don’t send it or the person can no longer receive it.
  • Rituals: Include a daily or situational gratitude statement, like a short mealtime reflection.
  • Valuable Enemies: Think of someone you don’t get along with - can you still find something to appreciate about them?

LEVEL 3

  • Career Alignment: Show appreciation in your workplace - toward colleagues, team members, or subordinates, ideally not just in words but also in compensation.
  • Never Too Late: Reach out to someone from your past - an ex-partner, friend, or mentor - you still owe thanks
  • Sharing: Share with others your experiences, relationships, or even challenges you are grateful for

Gratitude and ADHD

If you live with ADHD, you may notice everything all at once, and your risk-averse brain is likely to zoom in on the negative. That includes internal signals like frustration or self-doubt. Gratitude can ground you, especially when you let go of societal clichés like “Others would be grateful for this” or “I should be thankful for...” Begin your own journey of discovering what you are truly grateful for and what values you appreciate in others and, most importantly, in yourself.


Gratitude and Games

Quest-givers in single-player games often express their “gratitude” with rewards to keep you engaged. In co-op games, the experience (hopefully) feels less transactional: a simple “GG,” even after a team loss, or “Thanks for taking the time” after trying and failing at a boss fight can brighten the vibe of an entire community. Or do it as game designers do in the credits and just say, “Thanks for playing (with me)!”

Where you could go next