Being Thankful

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you purchase through our links. Please read our full disclosure here.

Being Thankful  |  The Fresh Exchange

Thanksgiving, may be one of my favorite holidays. I always look forward to taking time to enjoy cooking all day, having a good cocktail, spending time with family, and just simply relaxing. Mike and I took off work for the first time in nearly a year as of yesterday. I couldn’t be more thankful for finally coming up for air and feeling the true joy of being still. A moment to be bored? I will take it.

Being Thankful  |  The Fresh Exchange

All the above reasons are great reasons to love Thanksgiving, but my love for the holiday goes beyond that. Thanksgiving is a time to want for nothing, and to simply be thankful for everything the year has given. It is the perfect time to reflect on where the year has gone and how truly giving and beautiful life is even amongst tough times or very great times.

Being Thankful  |  The Fresh Exchange

For me this year has been wild and turbulent. Many times I have felt behind, stretched beyond my capabilities, and more often than I care to say I have found myself creatively empty (you ever noticed those silent days from me…those are the days where inspiration has not come). There have been high moments and very low moments for me creatively. I have said over and over to myself this is my year of growing: growing a business, growing into adulthood, growing emotionally, and growing stronger. This year has taught me the importance of boundaries, knowing my limits, learning to persevere, and to look beyond the moment.

Being Thankful  |  The Fresh Exchange

Being Thankful  |  The Fresh Exchange

Being Thankful  |  The Fresh Exchange

Honestly I believe we all need those years. We need times in our life that force us to ask tough questions and to be real with ourselves, aren’t those the moments that can bring the most beautiful next chapter?

Being Thankful  |  The Fresh Exchange

As I am slowly reaching the end of this year I feel more thankful than ever for this year of growth. This year has brought a new home, new challenges, more strength and a clearer perspective. All those things are serious blessings to me and ones I couldn’t be more thankful for.

Being Thankful  |  The Fresh Exchange

Being Thankful  |  The Fresh Exchange

Being Thankful  |  The Fresh Exchange

Each year are a gift and we choosing how it will affect us, and for me I have learned more in this year than any other. The most important being that life should be taken too seriously. The older I get the more I realize that life is not meant to be complicated and instead we are the ones who complicate it. Lately I am choosing to let go of what I do not need, and to carry only that which I can handle. I am learning I am stronger than I thought and that is a powerful thing to know about yourself and to learn.

Hike_04

Being Thankful  |  The Fresh Exchange

Being Thankful  |  The Fresh Exchange

So, this Thanksgiving as I find myself watching the snow fall in Northern Michigan I am realizing that years like this are something to be thankful for. Struggles and creative blocks force the honesty out. I am thankful for these last 10 months because they are what made Mike and I not just better individually, but better together as a couple and better together as business owners. That is something to be thankful for in my mind.

Being Thankful  |  The Fresh Exchange

Being Thankful  |  The Fresh Exchange

Being Thankful  |  The Fresh Exchange

Being Thankful  |  The Fresh Exchange

There is no other life I would rather have. I see that this year has been part of that journey and each year will continue to be a perfect piece in this wild adventure we are on.

Being Thankful  |  The Fresh Exchange

Thanksgiving always leaves me feeling rested, full, content, and with that reality check in my pocket that life needs little else. What in this last year has left you feeling thankful? Is there anything that has you feeling more than happy to be alive?

I hope y’all have a perfect Thanksgiving full of quiet, relaxing moments, and maybe some snow if you are so lucky. I couldn’t be more thankful for each of you who follow and support our journey. A giant virtual hug to y’all on this holiday. Till Monday, my friends.

Share this post

You may also enjoy
ALL Gardening courses are now available
This is default text for notification bar