One thing that helps in moments of sadness and fear.

You can do this.

Yesterday was a rough day for a lot of us. I allowed myself to be in my sadness.

I have learned that what helps in moments of heartache or anxiety or fear is disconnecting from the thing that is making it worse (hey, breaking news alerts), focusing on my breath, slowing my heart rate, and finding a source of gratitude.

Gratitude is a balm. Scientifically-proven.

But it seems the things we give thanks for most are often outside ourselves — our family, our kids, a warm home, a beautiful meal.

Today, find one thing you love about yourself that you are grateful for:

Your softness. Your tenacity. Your empathy. Your creativity. Your heart. Your values. Your resourcefulness. Your openness. Your resilience. Your loyalty. Your faith. Your imagination. Your idealism. Your wisdom. Your fire.

Whatever it is, it is an essential part of what makes you, you. More than that, it is what makes you proud to be you. So name it.

Now make a promise to hold onto it. Celebrate it. Protect it. Write it down if it’s helpful and tuck it away somewhere.

We talk a lot about fighting for the people we love and the issues we care about.

Let this be a gentle reminder — for both of us — not to forget to fight for ourselves, too.

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I hope I can help you in the coming weeks, months, and years to find comfort, hope, community, and the will to keep on keeping on. Also, there will be GLORIOUS holiday gift guides. And humor. And guest posts from cool people. Maybe the occasional silly family photo, which is the only kind, really. I’m not going anywhere and I hope you’ll stick around too. Please consider supporting my time and my work by subscribing, or upgrading to a paid subscription if you are able.

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