68. Gratitude Affirmations for Midlife: Transforming Challenges into Blessings

 Midlife comes with its unique set of challenges—whether you’re feeling stuck, stressed about an aging parent or child, or even navigating the end of a relationship. In this episode, we delve into the transformative power of gratitude and how it can reshape your perspective during life’s most difficult moments.You’ll learn about three practical ways to incorporate gratitude into your daily, weekly, and monthly routines, helping you to create a mindset that embraces the positive aspects of life, no matter how small they may seem. These practices are designed to be simple yet profound, providing a foundation for greater peace, joy, and resilience in your everyday life.

We’ll also guide you through a calming affirmation practice to anchor these concepts, reinforcing the importance of recognizing the blessings in your life, whether big or small. By the end of this episode, you’ll be equipped with actionable tips and affirmations that can help you navigate midlife challenges with a renewed sense of gratitude and contentment.

Formerly known as the "Mindful Career Change Podcast," I decided to broaden our conversation to cover all life transitions, not just our careers.

Follow the show @mindfullifechanges and DM a question or comment about the life transitions you're going through too. I might answer your question in one of the episodes to help you and other midlifers navigate this everchanging and beautiful season of life.

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Chapters

• 0:00 The Power of Gratitude in Midlife
• 9:26 Cultivating Gratitude Practice for Midlifers

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Today's affirmation I am thankful for the blessings in my life, big or small. Gratitude is a powerful practice, especially during midlife, when challenges and stresses can feel overwhelming. It can be easy to get lost in the daily grind, focusing on what's not going right or what's missing in our lives. But what if we could just shift our perspectives, even just by a little, by acknowledging the good that still exists around us? When we take time to express gratitude, even for the smallest things, we create a mental shift that can bring more peace, joy and resilience into our lives. Hello and welcome to the Mindful Life Changes podcast, where we dive deep into the challenges and transformations shaping our lives, from shifts in our roles at home and work to the transitions we navigate physically and mentally as we gracefully age. I'm your host, valerie Mechie, a career change guide and mindfulness enthusiast. Today we are going to explore how adopting gratitude practices can help soften the sharp edges and stressful situations in our lives and to help smooth out the bumpy road of midlife. In the midst of chaos, despair and even sadness, practicing gratitude even for the tiniest thing can help shift your mindset and perspective A mental space maker, if you will, to help detach yourself from the current situation and focus on something good in your life. There are three ways I like to practice gratitude One that I do daily, another that I incorporate throughout the week and a third that I focus on monthly. Every day, as soon as I wake up, I express gratitude for simply being able to breathe, move, feel the warm morning sun and be surrounded by my family.

Speaker 1: 2:07

I started this daily gratitude practice back in 2020. After being laid off, it was one of the lowest points in my life, filled with uncertainty and stress and despair. During that time, I needed to find something good in my life, especially at the start of each day, because I didn't know how the rest of the day would unfold. Navigating COVID without health care, supporting my high school kids with online learning and dealing with a lot of rejection emails had become my new normal. Practicing gratitude each morning helped me set a positive tone for the day, no matter what challenges lay ahead. I am grateful that I was able to overcome that difficult time in my life and continue to thrive. Yet I haven't stopped this morning routine of gratitude and continue to thrive. Yet I haven't stopped this morning routine of gratitude. Even when life is going relatively well, this simple practice serves up as a powerful reminder not to take even the most basic things for granted, because it's often the small everyday blessings, like the ability to breathe, move and connect with loved ones, that really, truly sustains us. The second gratitude practice is something I started doing throughout the week after I began caring for my dad. Over the past two years, I've watched him struggle with Parkinson's and I've done my best to help him maintain a good quality of life.

Speaker 1: 3:29

Caring for an aging parent with health challenges can be incredibly taxing and emotionally overwhelming. One moment you're on the phone with health challenges can be incredibly taxing and emotionally overwhelming. One moment you're on the phone with health care providers, the next you're helping them out of bed or preparing a meal. It can be a dark and emotional experience to see a parent go through this, which is why it's important to acknowledge the good moments. It could be as significant as getting him outside to enjoy the sun or simply as seeing him finish a meal without any difficulties, big or small. I've learned to cherish these moments of joy and gratitude. The key to practicing gratitude throughout the week is to pause and take note of the moments that bring you joy and relief, no matter how small, even if it's just taking a minute to acknowledge something positive that has happened, it can make a difference. Or you can use your Notes app on your phone to jot down these moments as they occur. By capturing these small victories, you'll create a collection of positive experiences that can uplift your spirits during challenging times and remind you of the good in the midst of difficulties.

Speaker 1: 4:37

The third type of gratitude practice I engage is something I do once a month where I make a journal entry of all the good things that occurred, big or small. I take the time to acknowledge these blessings and then read them back in awe awe. I usually have this writing session during the first week of the month and I spend about 15 to 20 minutes recording everything I'm grateful for and reflecting on the positive experiences I've had being a writer. I know the hardest part of sitting down to write often is just getting started. So here are some helpful prompts that can kickstart your monthly gratitude journal entry.

Speaker 1: 5:16

Can kickstart your monthly gratitude journal entry. You can start with my top three things I'm grateful for or I'm grateful for consider the relationships that have brought you love, support or inspiration over the past month. Or I am grateful for this life lesson. I'm Even difficult experiences can bring growth and new perspectives by acknowledging these moments and the silver linings they offer. So there you have it, three ways I like to practice gratitude. They range from a couple of minutes upon waking up to taking notes of the moments that bring you joy and contentment throughout the week. And finally, a journal entry that summarizes the month. Read that summarizes the month. What I love about these practices is their simplicity, making it easier to turn them into healthy routines or a habit building that muscle of gratitude. The more gratitude you cultivate in your life, the easier it becomes as you navigate challenging times.

Speaker 1: 6:10

So, with that being said, let's take this opportunity. With a positive affirmation session being said, let's take this opportunity with a positive affirmation session. We'll start our affirmation practice by priming your mind and body so you'll be open to this affirmation session. Take a deep cleansing breath in and out, releasing any energy that doesn't serve you, releasing any energy that doesn't serve you. I'll begin by reciting this affirmation twice. While you listen to the affirmations, imagine you're writing this affirmation down on a whiteboard or you're watching someone write it on the board for you. This will help with memorization. So let's begin.

Speaker 1: 6:59

I am thankful for the blessings in my life, big or small. I am thankful for the blessings in my life, big or small. I'll repeat the affirmation again, but this time I want you to repeat it out loud to yourself so you can make a connection. I am thankful for the blessings in my life, big or small. I'll repeat the affirmation again and once again say it out loud to yourself I am thankful for the blessings in my life, big or small. Now visualize someone or something that brings you joy and contentment. Imagine this in full color and in action. I'll repeat this affirmation again I am thankful for the blessings in my life, big or small. I'll repeat it one last time and let you have a moment to let it sink in. I am thankful for the blessings in my life, big or small. When you're ready, slowly open your eyes. If you have them closed and if it feels comfortable to you, place your hand over your heart to help seal this affirmation practice with self-love and care. This affirmation is yours to recite and practice for at least 21 days, once a day. It's most effective when you wake up in the morning or before you go to bed at night.

Speaker 1: 8:34

To help deepen your affirmation practice, consider making your affirmation sticky, which is an acronym to help you create a more sustainable and effective affirmation practice. Write the affirmation down on a sticky note and place it on your bathroom mirror as a daily reminder. Practice and gratitude, or transform the affirmation into a mantra I am thankful for the blessings of my life and repeat it while doing yoga, working out or getting ready for the day. Go back to episode one if you want to learn more about the sticky method. Earlier, I mentioned about my morning routine. If you're curious to learn more about how to create a helpful and peaceful routine in your mornings, check out episode 47. In that episode, I guide you through simple practices that can help set positive tone for your day, reduce stress and create a sense of calm so you are focused on the right things when you wake up.

Speaker 1: 9:26

There is no better way to develop a healthy habit than setting yourself up for success. Subscribe to this podcast and bookmark this episode so you'll have it handy whenever you need a quick guide to this affirmation. If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a family member or a friend who may need the affirmation practice of gratitude, or show your appreciation by giving us a rating. Wherever you're listening to this podcast. Your support will help other midlifers discover our content, so this podcast can grow and blossom, and I would be incredibly grateful for this. Thank you for sharing this time and space with me. Every moment you dedicate to being mindful is a step towards a more fulfilled and vibrant life. Keep embracing your midlife journey with an open heart and remember you are not alone in this. I look forward to our next mindful gathering. I'll talk to you soon.