February is known as the month of love, but I like to expand that to include kindness and gratitude too. Chocolate and valentines are lovely, but a grateful heart lasts a lot longer than a box of candy.Journaling is one of my favorite small habits. I’m not always consistent with journaling — some weeks I’m on a roll, and other weeks my notebook gathers a little dust. When I’m in one of those slumps, gratitude journaling is my reset button. It’s quick, simple, and a gentle way to reconnect with what really matters.
Here’s a recent example from my own list:
I am grateful for:
- My husband, who somehow manages to be my biggest cheerleader, steady teammate, and voice of calm all at once. His support, encouragement, and sense of humor keep our family running and keep me grounded.
- My daughter, who has taught me the true meaning of love — and who also finds new and creative ways to challenge me every single day.
- The staff at Mary Hogan School — teachers, paraeducators, school nurse, custodial staff, and school nutrition staff and anyone else I forgot — who show up every day to make the school a safe, joyful place for kids to learn and grow.
- Middlebury Snowbowl, our family’s home away from home in the winter time and our favorite place to ski — so welcoming, so family-friendly, and where we always know we’ll run into friends to ski with.
That little list took me about seven minutes to write. Seven minutes! Yet the boost it gave my mood lasted far longer. Putting gratitude into words has a way of shifting your mindset from “everything is going wrong” to “actually, there is a lot going right.”
When life feels hectic (which, as parents, it often does), try pausing for a moment and writing down a few things you’re grateful for. It doesn’t have to be fancy or profound — just honest. It’s amazing how such a small act can soften a hard day.
Wishing you extra doses of peace, kindness, and maybe a little chocolate this month.
— Monica Benjamin is a nurse practitioner at Porter Pediatrics in Middlebury.
Do you have a story to share about life with young kids in Addison County? We’d love to hear from you! Email [email protected].