Alright, so I know this year has been super shitty for obvious reasons. People are stressed, tired of hearing their kids fighting during work meetings, financially freaking out, overworked, and overwhelmed with their various roles they are expected to play simultaneously. They are scared of themselves or their loved ones getting sick or maybe they are just over the whole thing and never want to hear the word Covid again (oops sorry, I’ll move on to the ‘glass half full’ part in just a sec). I know Thanksgiving is going to look different this year and it is easy to get downhearted about it, but I urge you to make a list like this for yourself to remember all the positives that come with this new lifestyle you’re living. So here we go! A list of all the things I am grateful for, this year especially:

• No rushing around in the morning. Usually my husband is running around at record speed trying to get out the door on time. I am yelling upstairs for my kids to ‘come on already and get dressed and come eat your damn breakfast!’ (okay I don’t actually swear but I bet that would get their attention). Instead, our mornings are pretty chill and dare I say, enjoyable.
• No packing lunches. God I hate packing lunches. Someone please tell me how to make a healthy-ish lunch that a seven year old will actually eat that is cold, travels well, and doesn’t taste nasty four hours later. The struggle was real and I am not looking forward to this aspect of when life is ‘normal’ again.
• Seeing my kids more. Okay, don’t hate me fellow parents. I know shit ain’t easy having the kids home all the damn time and I will admit, I get a lot of help from my mom who takes them in the afternoons during the week so I am pretty spoiled in that sense, but I truly enjoy having them around. Next year (assuming schools open up as per usual), my youngest will be in Kindergarten full time and it will be very quiet around here from then on during the school year. Yes, I am looking forward to that for many reasons, but the time I have right now with them is precious. I love catching up with my daughter and hearing how virtual school is going during her ten minute breaks. I love seeing what games they come up with and the creations they build. I love it when my son joins his sister for gym class or they do her math games together (she can prep him for Kindergarten, right?). I know this isn’t ideal for them, but I selfishly love knowing they are healthy and safe and possibly even thriving here at home.
• More unscheduled weekends. Not only do I get more of these, but I can feel like a do-gooder by doing what I do best! Staying home! My sister has a shirt (got it pre-covid) that says “Staying in is the new going out” and I think it’s time I get one for myself. I just love having no plans that I have to get to on time or prepare for. I can immerse myself in random home projects or go disc golfing with the family. I can read my book or bake a new dessert in the middle of the day. The options are endless!
• Lunch with the husband. He used to be out of the house from 7:45 am until about 5 pm so this was never a possibility before. While sometimes (more like pretty often) I miss being home alone, it is nice to sit down and talk about how the day is going over a meal at home. Sometimes, we even go on a short walk outside in the afternoons when the kids are at their Granny’s which feels luxurious.
• Prioritizing friendships. When you are somewhat risking your health by hanging out with friends, it makes it very obvious who you prioritize. Although I have many friends I love and care about, it’s been nice to bring my circle in a little tighter than usual over the last year.
• Enjoying the little things more. Like birds, flowers in our garden and homemade bread. Hold up, I take that last part back, I have always thoroughly enjoyed my homemade bread. But yes, I have never appreciated birds in all my life. We got a bird feeder last Christmas that attaches to the window and it has been so fun to learn the names of all our little visitors. I keep telling the kids we don’t need a dog because we already have plenty of pet birds. (They are really perfecting their eye rolls this year in response to their mother’s witty humor). Also, my daughter planted two morning glory seeds in the Spring and watching those two seeds turn into a huge display of beautiful flowers and vines has been entertaining (to an embarrassing degree) and spectacular.
• Less time spent in the car and shopping. I have wasted many hours walking around shops buying random shit I truly don’t need. Covid has helped me reign that in. Although, I still need to reform a bit when it comes to ordering on Amazon. Maybe next year!
• Getting to know my neighbors. Since were all getting out less, we have gotten to know a few families in the neighborhood more this year and it has been wonderful. We often have Friday night fires where the kids get to run around and feel like life is normal for a minute and the parents get to hang out and catch up. Also, s’mores. So many s’mores.
• The fact that my husband still has his job. With so many people out of work, I feel extremely fortunate that we continue to be financially secure.
• Being a stay at home mom. I have never been more grateful to be a stay at home parent when a lot of people are having to decide between their jobs or paying someone to help their kids with their schooling. I believe my husband is also pretty happy that he doesn’t have to balance his job with helping our kids with their math work or their ABCs.
• My home gym. While I currently only make use of the treadmill, it is nice that at least I have the option to get fit AF if I ever decide to lift heavy things again.
• My home. Now you know I love my home, otherwise this blog probably wouldn’t exist. But man, I am so thankful that I have a yard where the kids can explore and play and we can hang out with a couple of friends on occasion. I imagine how different this experience would have been if we still lived in our high rise apartment in Chicago and I thank my lucky stars that we live where we do.
• My health. And my family’s health. I have never appreciated my health more than I do now. I know it might not look like that is the case when I am dipping cookie after cookie into my afternoon tea, but I swear to you, I appreciate the amazing machine that is my body! Fingers crossed that we continue to celebrate our health throughout this epidemic.

So there you have it. I have a hell of a lot to be thankful for this November. What are you thankful for, despite the whole pandemic nuisance (that’s a joke people, I know this pandemic is the real deal)? What did you used to take for granted that you fully appreciate now?