The unexpected benefits of gratitude and what I'm grateful for this year
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in the United States, and while I don’t come from a culture that traditionally celebrates it, I’ve adopted its spirit over the years.
As an immigrant who moved to California more than 13 years ago, I find Thanksgiving less about turkey and football and more about gratitude.
So, I figured it’s the perfect time to share some things I’m thankful for this year—and why gratitude itself is worth practicing, no matter what day it is or where you’re from.
Let’s dive in.
What is gratitude?
Gratitude can be defined as the quality of being thankful. It is acknowledging the positive things in your life, big or small, and appreciating the people, moments, or circumstances that contribute to them.
Gratitude and its impact on the brain
When you practice gratitude, your brain releases dopamine and serotonin—neurotransmitters that help you feel happy and calm. It’s like a built-in reward system that can be triggered on command whenever you focus on what’s good.
But gratitude goes deeper than momentary joy. Research shows that it strengthens neural pathways, rewiring how you see everything.
This becomes especially important in tough times, it helps you face them with a clearer, more balanced perspective.
Gratitude as a tool for building resilience
Gratitude builds emotional resilience by shifting your focus from what’s missing to what’s working. It doesn’t mean pretending everything is perfect; instead, it’s a grounding force when things get tough.
What I love most about gratitude is its symbiotic relationship with grit – practicing one helps unlock the other, which has proven to be a superpower in our industry, especially during the turbulent last few years.
When things feel overwhelming, taking a moment to appreciate what’s working—your health, a small win, or even a funny moment in a meeting—can give you the push you need to overcome your challenges.
Making gratitude a habit
Thanksgiving is once a year, but gratitude is best if practiced periodically. The more you do it, the more you’ll notice things to be grateful for.
It doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, all it takes is pausing to ask yourself:
What am I thankful for today?
Who or what made a positive impact on me?
What is something I usually take for granted but appreciate right now?
If you want ideas for how to express gratitude toward your team, check out the article I wrote a while ago: “How much appreciation do you show your team?”.
Who I’m grateful for this year
1. You, my readers
Every email you open, every post you read, every comment or reshare—it all matters. Writing can be a lonely endeavor at times, but knowing my words resonate with someone makes it all worthwhile.
To those who’ve opted for a paid subscription: You contribute to keeping this whole thing running. Your subscription is a vote of confidence that reminds me why I started in the first place. Thank you for being part of this journey.
2. My coaching clients and course participants
One of the most fulfilling parts of my year has been working with my coaching clients and course participants.
Helping others navigate organizational challenges, get new jobs, and see their own potential—it’s a privilege I don’t take lightly. To all of you: Thank you for trusting me with your growth. It’s an honor to be part of your journey.
3. My creator community
This year, I’ve seen incredible growth (we just hit the 50k subscribers mark!!), and it wouldn’t have been possible without my creator community.
Shoutout to
, , , , , andYou’ve each helped me in your own way, and I’m endlessly thankful for your support. If you’re an online creator (whether it’s a newsletter, podcast, YouTube, or anything else), find your community. It’s a game-changer.
Final thoughts
Whether you're building resilience, strengthening relationships, or simply making your brain happier - gratitude is a powerful tool that's always available to you.
Like any skill worth developing, gratitude gets stronger with practice. And the more you practice it, the more naturally you'll spot things to be grateful for.
The science backs it up, and experience proves it: a little gratitude goes a long way.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Until next time,
Irina, Your Caring Techie
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Aw, grateful to you too, Irina 🙏. Appreciate our walk-and-talk's and meetups. Definitely good to take a step back sometimes and reflect. To be honest, I was actually thinking about all the food I'll have so I'm glad you sent this post as a reminder for what Thanksgiving is actually meant for 😂