Gratitude in the Everyday: Embracing Joy and My Current Beauty Favorites
This week, I had one of the most honest conversations with my therapist to date. We talked about the weight that comes with being an overthinker and how that often feeds my struggle with depression. The trigger this time? An unexpected bill that resulted in thousands of dollars I wasn’t planning to spend. While I had the funds to cover it, I couldn’t shake the disappointment. That money was meant to be allocated elsewhere. I was grateful I could pay it, but honestly, it still stung.
You see, I’m someone who dreams big. I’ve carefully mapped out the vision for my family’s future…specifically, a custom home where my children can thrive and my mom can comfortably live with us as she gets older. I know what the land will cost, how much I want to spend monthly, the customizations I want, and even how I’ll furnish it. I have Pinterest boards, binders of inspiration, and a clear plan. So when unexpected costs come up, they feel like roadblocks on the path I’ve worked so hard to plan.
It’s not just money. It’s the emotional toll of feeling like your dream is getting pushed further away. It hurts. And I had to admit that hurt out loud.
But then my therapist helped me zoom out.
She reminded me to look at where I am now. Over a decade ago, Markaus and I were starting out in our first home. It was a foreclosure we fixed up ourselves. It was small, the payments were $448.00, and we were happy. I prayed for more back then: a better neighborhood, a peaceful home, a safe place for our kids, and room for us all to grow.
Fast forward to today and we’re living in that answered prayer. We’re thriving. Our children are healthy. We have a beautiful home and careers we’re proud of. God showed up before, and He’s still showing up now.
So why was I doubting His ability to deliver on what’s next?
That moment of reflection shifted something in me. I realized I needed to stop waiting for the “big” things to feel grateful. There’s joy in the small, everyday moments. Moments that if we don’t acknowledge them, they will just become ‘regular’ to us. Like a hot shower, a midday laugh with my kids, or treating myself to a new beauty product, grabbing my favorite coffee. The list goes on.
That’s when I started my digital gratitude journal.
For the past two weeks, I haven’t missed a day. Writing down even the tiniest moments of joy has helped ground me in the present and remind me how good God has already been.
One recent entry? A midday break where I slipped away to buy a few beauty favorites: the KayAli Musk Matcha perfume, Huda Beauty Contour Lip Stain Liner, and Summer Fridays Lip Balm. In the past, I might have brushed this moment off. But now, I see it as a moment of joy—one I got to give to myself.
If you’re in a hard season, I encourage you to try a gratitude journal too. It’s helped me reset my mindset and find peace in where I am today. I may not have that dream home yet, but I’m already living in a season I once prayed for. And that’s worth celebrating.
Want to hear more about my journey with gratitude, beauty faves, and finding peace in the everyday?
I shared it all in a recent video over on my YouTube channel. Feel free to watch it below and subscribe if you enjoy this kind of content!
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— Megan
