Dress: LulaRoe | Denim Vest: Old Navy | Earrings: Nickel and Suede c/o | Necklace: 9th and Elm c/o | Shoes: The Root Collective c/o (Use this link for 10% off your purchase!) | Bracelets: Alex and Ani c/o & Kendra Scott | Watch: Wristology Watches c/o (Use code “45” for 20% off your purchase!) | Ring: Kendra Scott | Bag: Target

Photography by Em Grey

I’ve been thinking a lot… A LOT about gratitude lately. I don’t ever, ever, ever want to take my life and all that I have been given for granted. I don’t ever want to just “go about my day” and not take pause for all the wonderful things that are in my life.

It’s so easy, too easy, to look at everyone else and long for what they have… for their life… for their stuff… It’s so easy to wish we were richer / skinner / faster / stronger / smarter / etc. Yet, when we really stop to pause and think about the LITTLE things that we are blessed with, the more grateful we become and the more peaceful and content we are with our own life.

A few months ago… maybe even almost a year ago now, I started a little gratitude journal. It’s nothing special or fancy… it’s just a little journal I keep with me at all times and when I think of something or I come across something I’m grateful for, I write it down in my journal.

Then, when I’m having a rough day, I go back into my journal and I look at all the things – big and small – that I have to be thankful for. It makes it a whole lot more difficult to feel sorry for myself or throw myself a pity party when I look at all the HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of things that I have to be thankful for.

This is something I’m just trying to be so mindful of… something that the more that we become “hyper aware” of, the less likely we will fall back into old habits of “have nots” and “want mores.”

I’m sharing this with you because maybe you needed to hear it… maybe you need to start a gratitude journal – maybe it’s just the thing that will help you realize how truly loved, blessed, and special you are.

It doesn’t need to be fancy and the list doesn’t need to be over the top… I write down things as simple as “The way Lilly says the word “Fish,” or “The taste of a fresh batch of homemade salsa,” all the way to things like, “I’m thankful we are debt free,” to “I’m thankful for the beautiful house that my family and I live in,” and “I’m thankful for the gift of Jesus Christ.”

It can really be anything.

SIDE NOTE: I LOVE the zipper detail on the back of this dress! And I’m grateful for its POCKETS! haha! 🙂

But in all seriousness, I want you to take some time today to just write down 10 things you’re grateful for. If you want, feel free to share them in the comments! I’d love to start a “grateful” spree in the comments of this post! 

And, if you want to go an extra step further, share what you’re grateful for with your friends, your family, your spouse, significant other, etc. Tell THEM how much you appreciate them.

ANOTHER SIDE NOTE: Not sure what this move is… I’m thinking it’s the “Thriller” move??

What do you think? What are YOU grateful for? How are you trying to appreciate the little things in life?

Welcome to Let it Shine…..the new, revamped Funday Monday! After two years….we decided to rename our link up to something we felt would be a better fit.  Thus, Let it Shine! Why the name? Because we want this link up to be just that…..your chance to let it shine.  We’ll be sharing our favs here each week and on social media…….
/ Jeans and a Tee / One Dress /

Another place we will be showcasing our favs? The Let It Shine Pinterest Board! So, go ahead…..and Let it Shine!