Gratitude & Awe: The Quiet Forces That Shift Everything
You know those little moments that stop you in your tracks — like birdsong through an open window, or sunlight stretching across the kitchen floor?
That’s gratitude.
Or the way you feel when you look up at a sky so wide it makes your worries feel a bit smaller?
That’s awe.
They’re subtle. Easy to miss. But powerful.
And while they don’t magically fix everything, they can help you feel just a bit more steady. A bit more like yourself.
Gratitude Isn’t About Pretending Everything’s Fine
Let’s be honest; gratitude can get a bit of a bad rep.
“Just be grateful!”
Yeah... not exactly helpful when you're overwhelmed, anxious, or completely wrung out.
But real gratitude isn’t about plastering on a smile or ignoring the hard stuff.
It’s about spotting the tiny sparks within it.
Maybe your tea was exactly the right temperature this morning.
Maybe the sky surprised you with that soft pink glow at the end of a rough day.
Maybe someone messaged just to say they were thinking of you. Or your dog quietly curled up beside you.
These things don’t make the hard stuff disappear.
But they remind you - there’s still something good here.
Awe Is That Quiet “Whoa” Moment
Awe doesn’t get talked about enough.
It’s not big or flashy. It’s more of a stillness.
Like standing on a hill and seeing the world stretch out in front of you.
Or staring up at the stars and feeling your mind go quiet for a second.
It’s that gentle reminder: you’re part of something bigger.
And fun fact — both awe and gratitude actually calm the parts of your brain that handle stress and overthinking. They pull you out of your head and into the here and now.
Even just a few seconds of awe each day can build resilience.
It’s not about escaping. It’s about reconnecting.
You Don’t Have to Force It
Feeling numb? Over it? Wondering why you don’t “feel more grateful”?
Please don’t beat yourself up.
You’re human. You’re allowed to feel messy.
If anything, start tiny:
What’s one thing that felt okay today?
Be honest. You can feel grateful and still be tired or frustrated.
And when something lovely happens; don’t rush past it. Just pause. Let it land for a few extra seconds. That’s how your brain registers it.
These little pauses? They matter more than you think.
A Simple End-of-Day Check-In
If you fancy giving it a go, here’s a gentle prompt for the evening:
Something that made me smile today:
Something I’m proud of (big or small):
Something beautiful I noticed:
Someone I appreciate (or who appreciated me):
It’s not homework. There’s no gold star.
Just a quiet nudge toward a softer headspace.
You Don’t Have to Get It “Right”
Let’s drop the pressure, yeah?
Gratitude and awe aren’t about being perfect. They’re about being present.
Even if it’s just for a moment.
And if you’re in a season where everything feels heavy, that’s okay too.
You’re not behind. You’re not broken. You’re just human.
But if you’d like some support — if you’re ready to feel more grounded, more steady, more you — I’m here.
📍 Based in Llangorse, near Brecon, Hay-On-Wye, and Crickhowell, Wales — also available online UK-wide.
👉 Book a free consultation
👉 Explore more wellbeing tips on the blog
