Finding Gratitude in the Middle: How to Stay Grounded When You’re Not Where You Want to Be
Share
There is a specific kind of ache that comes from being in the middle of something. You’re not where you were, but you’re also not where you want to be. You’ve started, but you haven’t arrived.
Maybe you’ve left a job but haven’t found the right one yet. Maybe you’re recovering from loss or heartbreak, but the healing still feels raw.
Maybe you’re building something; a business, a family, a new version of yourself and you’re in that messy in-between.
This is the middle. And it’s one of the hardest places to practice gratitude.
Because when everything feels unfinished, it’s tempting to believe there’s nothing to be grateful for yet.
But this blog is here to remind you:
- The middle matters.
- And gratitude can help you stay grounded in it.
Why the Middle Feels So Uncomfortable
The middle is where most of us spend the majority of our lives. It’s not as Instagram-worthy as a big win or as clear as a rock-bottom moment. It’s filled with slow growth, small steps, and often, silence.
You may feel like you’re working hard but getting nowhere. You may wonder if your efforts are worth it. You may crave clarity or momentum and feel frustrated by how long everything is taking.
And this is exactly where gratitude becomes essential. Not as a feel-good hack, but as a daily anchor.
Gratitude Isn’t Just for Wins — It’s for Waiting Too
Many people think gratitude is about celebrating the highs. But real gratitude is about noticing the good, even when things are still unfolding.
Here’s the truth. You don't need to have everything figured out to practice gratitude. You don't need to wait until the end to appreciate the step you’re on.
In fact, the most powerful gratitude happens in the middle. Because that’s where your resilience is being built. That’s where your trust is being tested and where your story is still being written.
The Get2 Reset for the Middle Moments
When you feel stuck, here’s a simple practice from Get2Mindset that can help you come back to center:
G – Ground
Feel your feet on the floor. Name one thing that is true right now.
“I’m still here. I’m still showing up.”
E – Exhale
Take a deep breath. Let go of the need to rush or force.
“This part matters too.”
T – Transform
Shift one thought from pressure to permission:
“I have to be further ahead” becomes “I get2 grow right here.”
These are the micro-moments that build emotional strength. And when practiced consistently, they change how you move through uncertainty.
3 Ways to Practice Gratitude in the In-Between
If you’re not sure where to start, here are three real ways to bring gratitude into your current chapter no matter how incomplete it feels.
1. Journal the Process, Not Just the Progress
You don’t have to wait for a win to open your Gratitude Journal. In fact, the in-progress pages are often the most powerful.
Try writing one line each day that reflects what you’re learning in the middle:
“I get2 learn patience today.”
“I get2 trust the process.”
“I get2 be in progress and still be proud.”
This helps you track growth that isn’t visible yet the kind that’s happening inside.
2. Use Cards as Midday Reset Tools
The Gratitude Cards are not just for mornings. Try pulling one midday, especially when doubt creeps in.
A card like “I get2 try again” or “I get2 pause and breathe” can interrupt spirals and anchor you back into the moment.
This small pause can create a ripple effect of calm and perspective when your day feels like it’s spinning.
3. Celebrate the Invisible Wins
Start writing down things that don’t seem like “wins” but are:
- You kept going even when no one noticed
- You showed up when it would have been easier to quit
- You rested when your body needed it
These are not small. They are signs of emotional growth and inner strength. And when you honor them with gratitude, you shift your focus from lack to progress.
Gratitude Keeps You Open to What’s Next
Here’s the quiet magic of gratitude in the middle:
- It keeps you open.
- It keeps you soft.
- It keeps you from closing off while you wait.
When we cling to outcomes or timelines, we tense up. We miss the goodness that’s unfolding slowly.
But when we ground ourselves in gratitude, even when it’s imperfect or incomplete, we stay open to what life is still offering us.
You do not have to feel grateful for the unknown. But you can feel grateful for your capacity to walk through it. That changes everything.
Tools to Support You in the Middle
If you’re navigating an in-between season, these Get2Mindset tools were made for you:
Gratitude Cards: Shop Now →
30-Day Gratitude Journal: Start Your Daily Habit →
Free 5-Step Reset Guide: Download Free →
🎥 What Gratitude Does to Your Brain & Body: Watch now →
🎥 How to Practice Gratitude Daily (Even If Life Feels Overwhelming): Watch now →
Final Word: You Get2 Be in the Middle
You don’t have to rush through it. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You get2 be here — in the middle — and still live with gratitude.
This is what it means to practice presence. To hold space for both longing and enoughness. To honor the not-yet without losing the now.
So today, even if life still feels unfinished, take a deep breath and whisper: “I get2 be here.” That is more than enough.