FINDING Gratitude Through the Holiday Season

Hey everyone,

The holidays are supposed to be a time of celebration, connection, and joy. But for those of us who carry trauma, it can feel a bit different. You might notice a sense of loss, loneliness, or just a heaviness that you can’t quite shake. If you’re feeling that way, I want you to know that it’s completely okay—and that you’re not alone.

Personally, I’ve had my own journey with trauma, and the holidays used to bring up a lot of challenging emotions. At first, I tried to push those feelings aside, thinking it was best to keep moving. But the truth is, you can’t bury emotions like that. Over time, I learned to acknowledge them instead. That doesn’t mean drowning in the sadness or letting it take over. It’s about giving yourself permission to feel, reflecting on where those feelings come from, and then choosing to move forward.

For me, Thanksgiving has become a powerful time to shift my focus, and one way I do that is by keeping a gratitude journal. Each day, I write down three things I’m grateful for—things that bring me joy, peace, or even just a smile. It might sound simple, but this practice helps me see beyond the challenges and reconnect with what’s good in my life. It reminds me that even during tough times, there are still moments to be thankful for.

And one of the things I’m genuinely grateful for is all of you. Each of you who takes the time to read, follow, or subscribe to this blog is helping create a community where we can be open about our experiences and support one another. That means so much to me.

So, this holiday season, let’s take it day by day. Let’s allow ourselves to feel, to reflect, and to find gratitude in the moments that bring us light. We’re all in this together—surviving, growing, and conquering.

With gratitude,

Rasheem