Are You Abusing Gratitude?

Hey there, it's Susan, and I've got a question for you. Are you abusing gratitude? I'm guilty of this, and maybe you've noticed it in others as well. So kind of here's the picture: I'm pushing too hard, I've found myself a wee bit overcommitted, I'm exhausted, I still have more on my to-do list, I should stop but I don't, and brain-friendly coach that I am, I know how well to self-administer all those happy neurochemicals that will make me feel better— oxytocin, dopamine, etc. And it's taken practice, but I can virtually access any emotion that I want to feel on demand. So I can bring up gratitude. And the minute I bring up gratitude, my go-to drug, I feel better. So I breathe in thoughts of gratitude, body starts feeling that little tiny shudder of happiness and goosebumps, and voilà, I'm all perked up. I'm so perked up that I'm also ready to push through and override my body that's screaming at me to say, wait, I'm exhausted. I would much prefer to get some rest. And I know a lot of you are exhausted, especially those who are heroically homeschooling your children as the pandemic wears on. I talked to a colleague this week who's teaching her third-grade twins on top of maintaining her business and her home life. That's a lot. So if you are exhausted or even a wee bit weary, please be mindful about overdosing on on positivity or gratitude, and don't let it rob you of your rest. So maybe even try this. Be grateful that you can give yourself permission, grace, and space to take a nap, get to bed early, put your feet up, whatever it is you need to give your body the rest that it needs. It has carried you through thousands of days already, and there are more to come. Give it the love it deserves. Light and love.