“Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.” –Brian Tracy

If you’re like most people, 2020 has been a life-changing year for you – one way or another. Can you relate? And if you can, do ever you find yourself feeling overwhelmed and less than thrilled for the holiday season this year? If so, you’re not alone. I’m with you – as are probably millions of other people. So what do we do to get through it and find some joy?

Check Your Vibe

How do you keep your vibration in check when these days? Personally, I use the art of intentional vibration management – it is the entire reason I created Shine Buzz and it is part of my mission to help people understand their own power through this process. Intentional vibration management, in case you aren’t aware, is similar to mindfulness but it involves constantly being aware of your thoughts and emotions and choosing to intentionally form and experience them. If you wanted to look at it on a more philosophical level, you could see it as literally taking control of your experience in this life.

Learn more about intentional vibration management in this video, if you’d like.

How does gratitude raise your vibration?

Maybe, like me, you also practice gratitude on a consistent basis in order to keep your vibration high so you can attract the things you want into your life (rather than those you’d prefer to avoid). But how does this work, exactly?

Finding reasons to feel grateful means seeking out things in your life that you have to be thankful for – and the simple act of FEELING thankful makes you feel good. Feeling good, feeling happy, and being grateful raises your vibration like almost nothing else! This is because of the law of attraction.

The Universal Law of Attraction basically tells us that we attract what we “put out” into the universe – and this is of course all about the way we are vibrating in any given moment.

Tip: There are tons of amazing, free law of attraction apps you can use to take your manifestation to the next level!

While we may not always be vibrating at our highest possible level, we will always have a better chance of attracting more of what we want when we are able to vibrate toward what we want at least more than half of the time, in theory. But if you want to keep your vibration at a comfortable level, you might be wondering how you’re supposed to do that during this less-than-fulfilling year’s holiday season.

When You Feel There’s Nothing to Be Grateful for During the 2020 Holiday Season

Life isn’t always predictable, but I think we can all agree that this year has been a real doozy, to put it mildly. The truth is that many people are feeling the dip in their usual holiday joy – and then there are many who struggle during the holiday season due to any number of circumstances. For example, people who have lost loved ones, or those who have separated from partners, spouses, or friends, or those who have had to make the choice to disconnect from other toxic people may find themselves feeling very alone on the holidays.

Whether you’ve been struggling with the rest of the world to get through this difficult year, or you’ve had some big life changed that felt less than comfortable (to say the least), you might be struggling to find gratitude during this holiday season and the tough times we’re experiencing as a society.

How to Find Joy in the 2020 Holiday Season Even When You Can’t Spend Time with Loved Ones

Whichever way you lean, the holidays are usually the perfect time to reconnect with your friends and family while also being thankful for the things, people, and experiences they’ve enjoyed throughout the year.

Normally, the world slows down just a little bit, and for a few shining days, things seem like old times again. And as the hustle and bustle of life slow to a roll, we are usually able to find the time we need to spend time with the people we love and care about. Due to this, many people like to use this time to practice gratitude to strengthen their relationships, form new bonds, and increase their happiness.

This year, you might be feeling a little less excited since various pandemic-related restrictions may prevent you from having the holiday season you have always enjoyed in past years.  And even if that’s not the case for you, life changes during the year may have left your holiday plans feeling a little flat this year.

So how in the world are you supposed to find anything to be grateful for this holiday season? What is the point and why should you bother?

How to Effectively Practice Gratitude During the 2020 Holiday Season

“Having gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.” – Melody Beattie

Here are five powerful tips to help you get your gratitude practice back up to snuff so you can keep your vibration high and really find peace, love, and connection during this holiday season.

Make a Running List

And, hey – why not make it pretty while you’re at it? You could make a simple list, but you could also choose to go up a level to make a vision board. One of the most effective and proven ways to remind yourself to be thankful for everything you have is to make a list each day. Create a primary list of gratitude that can be viewed daily and create new ones for the things you are newly thankful for that day. The more you are aware of the things you do have, the less time you will be spending worrying about stuff you don’t have. As Oprah Winfrey says, when you focus on what you have, you’ll always have enough – but when you focus on what you don’t have, you’ll always want for more. In other words, with a simple gratitude practice, happiness and gratitude will come more naturally over time.

Make It Routine

I try to schedule my gratitude practice – just the same way I suggest to my narcissistic abuse recovery coaching clients. I do my daily practice when I wake up in the morning and before I go to sleep. It’s quick and simple and makes such a big difference.

My preferred practice is to think of 10 things I’m grateful for and three things I love about myself. I suggest this for anyone who has struggled with self-love due to trauma in the past.

Clear out time in your daily schedule to practice gratitude. Use this time to create your list or talk to yourself about what things made you happy and thankful. Don’t allow your busy schedule to be an excuse when you can easily practice gratitude within five to ten minutes. You can do it on your drive to and from work, on your daily run, or while cooking dinner.

Reflection Is Key

Take the time not only to list out who and what you are thankful for but also to reflect. Reflect on the people, things, and experiences you have had to make you feel grateful. This a great way to feel gratitude, but it also gives you time to experience these happy moments all over again. Check out our affirmations and reflections page to get some ideas on reflection that will help you.

Do Acts of Kindness

How often do you do random acts of kindness? Gratitude can also be manifested by giving back to others who need it. There are always ways to give back every day that do not necessarily require money. Smile and wave at everyone you see, open the door for someone or give them a caring ear. The holidays are a perfect time for you to volunteer your time at a soup kitchen or help gather food and toys for those who are less fortunate.

Write Thank You Cards

Don’t forget the thank you cards this year. Even if someone did not provide a specific gift and just came by for dinner, send a note through the real mail. Let them know you were happy to see them and enjoyed their company or the present they offered. A personalized thank you card will make everyone feel appreciated and valued while strengthening your gratitude.

Make practicing gratitude part of your routine during the 2020 holiday season to increase your gratitude. Be generous with your time, love, and be a listening ear or volunteer your time. Gratitude is not only essential for healthy relationships and to help you lead a happy, fulfilling life – but also to keep your vibration on track – this year and always.