140 Things to Be Grateful For (That Are Easy to Overlook)

I’ve always thought of gratitude as both simple and complicated. Simple, because it doesn’t take much to notice one good thing in your day. Complicated, because most of us are wired to focus on what’s missing instead of what’s already here.

I used to believe that gratitude was something you practiced when life is going well. But, the truth is, it becomes even more important when life feels messy or overwhelming, as it tends to do every once in a while. Which is why being intentional with your gratitude practice is one of the best things you can do to maintain a sense of perspective.

The simple act of recognizing what’s good, no matter how small, can feel a little bit like a comfort blanket. Definitely not a cure-all (as much as I wish things were that simple!), but a reminder that not everything is falling apart, that there are still good things/people in your life.

Understanding the Power of Gratitude

Acknowledging the good that is already in your life is the foundation for all abundance.
Eckhart Tolle

For a long time now, personally, gratitude has been the difference between spiraling into “everything is awful” thinking and remembering that there are still small things and incredible people holding me up. And the research backs that up.

Harvard Health has found that gratitude is consistently linked with greater happiness, better health, and stronger relationships. Another study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology showed that people who wrote down a few things they were grateful for each week felt more optimistic about their lives compared to those who wrote about hassles or neutral events.

That’s really what gratitude has done for me, too. It hasn’t automatically erased the hard parts out of my life, but it has balanced the scales and given me much needed perspective. Instead of only noticing what’s missing, I also notice and pay attention to what’s working. And that makes a huge difference in how I move through my day.

Gratitude and Manifestation

Okay, a bit of side-track on this one, but I wanted to share how deeply I feel a sense of gratitude is connected with so many other aspects of your life.

I know words like “manifestation” and “abundance” get thrown around confetti these days, and yes, there are plenty of people on social media who can be real quacks about it too. So, I do understand the scepticism and the sense of vagueness that it seems to invoke.

But to me, at it’s core, manifestation is about paying attention to what you already have and letting that awareness expand your sense of possibility and your vision, and further augmenting that with meaningful action. Which is why I believe that practicing gratitude and being able to manifest your vision into reality are so intertwined.

When you practice gratitude, you train your mind to notice abundance in small, ordinary places. Instead of only seeing what’s lacking, you start to see what’s already supporting you. That mindset can make it easier to recognize opportunities, welcome help, and take action toward goals.

Because ultimately, manifestation is a mindset thing, and it’s harder to access if you’re only focused on all that you lack and the associated negativity.

140 Things to Be Grateful For Today

After all this relatively heavy talk, I actually wanted to demonstrate how easy it to practice mindful gratitude. You see, it’s not really about the multi-million dollar homes, or being able to fly first class every time you travel — don’t get me wrong, all those are fantastic things to have — but finding things to be grateful for can be so much simpler than that.

The truth is, once you start looking, you’ll discover there are endless reasons to feel thankful. Your health, your home, a good meal, or even a sunny day can, and should, all be sources of gratitude.

So if you’ve been struggling to see the bright spots lately, this list is for you. Here are 140 things to be grateful for today, many of which we often overlook.

Health & Your Mind & Body

Having had some health struggles of my own in the last few years, I will never downplay the importance of good health. There is so much truth to the adage “health is wealth”. Truly, without good health, you’d be hard-pressed to enjoy the grandest luxuries that you might have access to.

Being alive
Lungs that let you breathe deeply
A heartbeat that never rests
The ability to move
The ability to think
Restful sleep
A body that heals from minor injuries to life-changing illnesses
The energy to try again
Vaccines that prevent you from getting avoidable diseases
Access to quality healthcare
Lack of (deep) childhood trauma
Access to therapy and other mental health resources
Modern medical innovations

People in Your Life

No (wo)man is an island.

Family members who support you
Friends who text just to check in
People who remember important dates beyond birthdays and anniversaries
Childhood friendships that last into adulthood
Being in a healthy, loving relationship/marriage
The children in your life — your own, or the ones who feel like your own
The people who make up your “village”
Pets who complete your family
Ancestors who sacrified to make your current life possible
Found family
Mentors who guide you
A boss who supports you through a personal struggle
Work colleagues who make coming into work more fun/tolerable
Someone who makes you feel seen and heard
Delivery drivers and service staff

Everyday Comforts

How easy it is to take these little comforts for granted.

A roof over your head
Clean drinking water
Fresh sheets
Hot showers
Morning coffee or tea
Electricity on demand
Wi-Fi connection
Smartphones
Quiet mornings
Cooking your favorite meal
A well-stocked fridge/pantry
On demand television (OTT platforms)
Online grocery delivery
Modern-day technology

Nature’s Gifts

Nature, in all its unparalleled glory, never ceases to amaze me.

Morning sunlight
The sound of birds in the morning
A much-needed rainy day
Trees that give shade
Flowers blooming in unlikely places
The smell of fresh-cut grass
The smell of earth after a rainshower (petrichor)
Oceans, rivers, or lakes
The sound of crashing waves
Mountains and wide open skies
Clouds moving across the sky at their own pace
A cool breeze
A breathtaking sunrise/sunset
Chancing upon a rainbow
Twinkling stars
A full moon night

Small Joys & Simple Pleasures

It’s the little things, after all.

Finding money in an old coat/jeans pocket
Belly laughs
Freshly baked bread
Saturday mornings
Good hair days
A movie that makes you feel nostalgic
Watching a movie in reclining theatre seats
A rainy day spent lounging in bed
Herbs or vegetables from your own window-sill/balcony garden
Cold refreshing salads in the summer
Warm soup in the winter
Fresh fruit in season
Playing your favorite song on repeat (sorry, neighbors!)
A book you can’t put down
A cozy reading nook
Receiving a heartfelt compliment
Indulging in your favorite ice cream flavor on a summer day
A neighborhood bakery where the owner knows your Sunday morning order
Meme chains with your friends
Long weekends
A vibrant cute corner cafe
Picnic weather
Long walks
Growing older

Personal Growth & Resilience

Sometimes gratitude lies in what you’ve survived, learned, or chosen differently.

Lessons from past mistakes
Strength you didn’t know you had
Doing something that feels easy now, but used to feel nearly impossible earlier
Forgiving yourself for not knowing/doing better
Forgiving those who’ve hurt you, even when you get no apology
Progress in therapy or self-reflection
Learning new skills
Setting healthy boundaries
Saying “no” without guilt
Saying “yes” to things that excite/challenge you
Courage to start over
Walking away from toxic situations
Healing from heartbreak
Moments of self-compassion
The person you’re becoming
The ability to dream about your future

Opportunities & Freedom

Again, many of these privileges that we often take for granted are only appreciated when they are threatened to be taken away.

Living in a free country
Education (formal or self-taught)
Access to books and libraries
A steady paycheck
A job that challenges you
Freedom to voice opinions
A safe third space
The right to vote
Being able to donate time or money
Opportunities to travel
Financial independence (however big or small)
Having choices in your career path
Having resources to live a comfortable life
The right to marry whom you want

Fun & Creativity

Play and creativity are an essential part of a rich and meaningful life.

Music playlists that fit your mood
Dancing in your kitchen without a care in the world
Doodling or journaling
Playing board games or puzzles
Playing silly games with kids
Trying new recipes
Singing in the shower
Hobbies that recharge you
Taking photos for fun
Creative projects that light you up
Inside jokes with friends
Playing in the snow

Everyday Moments Worth Noticing

Sometimes the smallest parts of daily life can spark the deepest gratitude.

A house that feels like your safe space
Afternoon naps
A warm blanket
A clean house
Cozy pajamas
Clean laundry
Fresh flowers
Having free solo time
“No big lights” (IYKYK) evenings at home
Phone/video calls with loved ones
Bus/train running on time
An unexpected kindness from someone
A stranger holding the door open for you
Making memories worth remembering and celebrating
The feeling of finishing a long put-off task
Time spent with someone you love

I could easily keep adding to this list. And it doesn’t even cover the extraordinary experiences many of us dream about, like seeing the Northern Lights, standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, or witnessing the scale of space exploration. I chose to focus on everyday things because that’s where most of life actually happens. And even within that, there are countless more moments and details that I could name and add to the list.

Gratitude doesn’t have to come from the rare or the spectacular experiences alone.

That’s the real reminder here. Gratitude doesn’t have to come from the rare or the spectacular experiences alone. The more we choose to notice the ordinary comforts, the steady people, and the simple joys, the more grounded we feel in our daily lives.

If there is one thing to take from this list, it is that gratitude has no finish line. The more attention you give it, the more you’ll uncover. And if you need some extra help to uncover deeper gratitude in your life, you can check out these gratitude journal prompts.

So, maybe today, pick three things from this list and write them down. Or add your own. I would love to know — what’s one overlooked thing you feel grateful for today? Share it in the comments below.