When Gratitude Feels Fake: How to Practice It Anyway
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Life doesn’t always feel like something to be grateful for.
There are days when you wake up with heaviness in your chest. Days when everything feels like too much. And on those days, being told to "just be grateful" can feel like a punch in the gut.
I know this because I’ve been there.
And I want to start by saying something you might need to hear:
You don’t have to fake it.
Gratitude isn’t about forcing a smile or pretending you’re fine. It isn’t about ignoring your pain or skipping over the hard stuff.
Gratitude is about choosing—very gently, and very honestly—to notice what's still good, even in the middle of what's hard.
In this post, I’m going to walk you through what to do when gratitude feels fake or impossible. These are real-world, no-fluff practices that meet you where you are.
And if you want to watch instead, you can check out my video:
🎥 Watch on YouTube: Why Gratitude Feels Hard (And How to Practice It Anyway)
Let’s get into it.
1. Start Where You Are
You don’t need to feel grateful to start a gratitude practice.
Read that again.
You can begin even if you’re sad, numb, frustrated, overwhelmed, or heartbroken. Gratitude isn’t about being happy. It’s about grounding yourself in what is still true and still beautiful even if it’s tiny.
“I get2 be here. I get2 feel. I get2 try again.”
That’s enough.
2. Choose One Thing That Doesn’t Suck
This is one of my favorite ways to reframe gratitude when you're having a hard day:
Ask: What’s one thing today that didn’t suck?
It could be your dog snuggling next to you. A kind barista. A hot shower. A single deep breath.
Gratitude doesn’t have to be poetic. It just has to be real.
Want a place to write it down? Check out the Get2Mindset 30-Day Gratitude Journal. It’s built for real life, not perfection.
3. Let Yourself Feel the Hard Stuff Too
You don’t have to trade your pain for gratitude. They can exist together.
In fact, the most powerful gratitude often comes alongside grief, not instead of it. Gratitude that says:
"Even though I’m hurting, I’m still here. Even though it’s hard, I’m still growing."
Let gratitude be soft. Let it hold space for your whole experience.
4. Use the Get2 Gratitude Reset When You Feel Overwhelmed
Here’s the simple reset I teach inside the Free 5-Step Gratitude Guide:
GET2 Reset
- Ground: Get present to when you hear yourself say "I have to".
- Exhale: Take a long, slow breath and pay attention to what you just said.
-
Transform: Transform your "I have to" into an "I get2".
Instead of: "I have to get through this day."
Try: "I get2 take it one moment at a time."
This simple shift is powerful. It's how you start to feel a little more in control.
5. Say It Out Loud (Even If It Feels Silly)
Gratitude changes your energy. And one of the fastest ways to feel that shift is to speak it.
Try this in the mirror:
"I get2 try again today. That’s enough."
You don’t need to feel it fully. Just try saying it. Watch what happens.
Final Thoughts: Gratitude That Meets You Where You Are
You don’t have to be a gratitude expert. You don’t have to write long journal entries or always stay positive.
You just have to begin. And if you're reading this, you already have.
Let gratitude be the gentle reset that brings you back to yourself.
Resources to Support You:
🛍️ Gratitude Cards: Shop Now →
📓 30-Day Gratitude Journal: Start Your Daily Habit →
📥 Free 5-Step Reset Guide: Download Free →
💻 Gratitude Reset Course: Join Now →
🎥 How to Practice Gratitude Daily (Even If Life Feels Overwhelming): Watch now →
🎥 101 Daily Gratitude List Ideas to Brighten Your Day: Watch now →