3 Ways to Find Gratitude in Your Love
Lately, I've tried being more intentional about complaining less. Read this if you are in a relationship or just want to better your friendships in general.
This one was inspired by my relationship, but it can apply to a whole host of different relationships and friendships alike.
Turns out, a lot of the little things I would normally get bothered by with anyone else are now some of my favorite reminders of why I'm so in love with my wife.
For example: coffee cups. Coffee cups everywhere. I'm being a bit dramatic, but there are usually a coffee cup or a tea cup or two scattered around the house and it would normally drive me nuts.
She loves coffee, and yeah, cleaning up those old Dunkin cups isn't exactly my idea of fun. But now when I see them, I'm reminded that one day I may miss cleaning up her coffee cups, I might end up begging God for one more cup to clean.
And yes, we've already watched Monday Night Raw together, but she still enthusiastically shows me highlight after highlight the next day, just in case I somehow missed it. It's honestly become one of my favorite things. I guess complaining less can make life a little bit easier.
Here’s what's actually working for me in shifting toward gratitude:
I started noticing the good in everyday stuff.
I've realized gratitude doesn't need to be saved for big moments.
It's more about noticing and appreciating the everyday things.
Like heating up the kettle for her tea, laughing at the mess of our shared spaces, or listening to her quietly hum Taylor Swift to herself while she does something around the house.
These small, daily moments are now little reminders of how lucky I am, making regular life feel genuinely special(instead of just a routine.)
I'm trying to rewrite my own mental scripts.
We all have stories we tell ourselves about what's happening around us. I've started changing mine intentionally.
Small example: when she leaves something out, instead of seeing it as an annoyance, I see it as proof she's comfortable and spontaneous in our home.
It doesn't mean ignoring reality; it means seeing the beauty in the imperfections.
It takes practice, but now the little quirks I would have complained about with anyone else are things I genuinely enjoy about her.
I'm actually saying "thanks" more often.
There's real power in saying out loud the things you're grateful for.
I'm trying to vocalize appreciation more, whether that's a quick "thanks for cooking tonight" or even just telling her I love that she just laughed at that stupid joke we heard on TV.
Showing that gratitude of the little things creates a cycle of positivity; it makes us both feel good, reinforcing that silly idea that gratitude really does improve relationships.
I'm definitely not perfect at this. I still catch myself complaining more than I'd like.
But noticing these moments and shifting toward gratitude is making a genuine difference.
Life feels lighter, my marriage feels stronger, and I'm honestly happier for it.
Do you have someone you could show more gratitude to?
Let us know in the comments:
