LIFE

PSA: The fall szn is the perfect opportunity for showing appreciation for all your friends and fam. Thanksgiving is a much-needed reminder to recognize all of the things in your life to be grateful for. Even just completing a few small acts of kindness each week is a great way to boost your mood and lower your stress. Bc you know what they say: Putting out positive vibes will bring them back around to you!

Here are some simple, easy ways you can show gratitude every day...

1. Send a compliment to your friends and family

The quickest, easiest way to say thanks? Send a sweet text to your bestie (or your dad, or your sis). A fun bitmoji and a sweet compliment ("I love that we never run out of things to talk about!") only takes a few minutes to send but can brighten up someone's entire day. It can be as simple as dishing to your BFF that you love your weekly coffee runs, thanking your mom for helping you edit your essays or telling your cousins that you can't wait to see them on Thanksgiving.

2. Donate to a local food drive

The next time you go grocery shopping, grab a few extra cans of soup to donate to your neighborhood food drive. If you can't find a place to donate locally, there are plenty of causes doing fundraisers online—simply donate some of your weekly allowance. Some of our faves are Girl Up (an organization that advocates for equity for women in 152 countries), The Trevor Project (a suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ+ youth) and the NAACP (an organization that advocates for racial justice).

@girlup

3. Start a gratitude journal

If you're looking for a way to incorporate gratitude into your everyday life, starting a journal can help. Each night, make it a habit to jot down three things you're grateful for. (Yep, they can be as little as listening to your fave playlist, taking a hot shower or snuggling with your cat). For more tips, check out our official guide to gratitude journaling.

4. Rake a neighbor's yard

As the leaves start to pile up at Ms. Sue's house next door, grabbing a rake to help her out is sure to make her day. Plus, you get to go home knowing you did a good deed! Just be sure to check first with Mom or Dad before stepping over.

5. Bake cookies

There's nothing more cozy than a fall baking night. And just think about it: Your teacher would be *so* happy to get a brownie when they show up to class. For extra credit, you could even wrap them in cellophane and a colorful gift bag to show your favorites a little extra love. Check out our delish pumpkin recipe recs for some inspo to get you started!

6. Plan a Friendsgiving celebration

One of the best parts of the Thanksgiving szn is the opportunity to plan a fun hangout with your besties. Hosting a potluck is a super special way to show everyone how much they mean to you. Plus, you can all share your favorite recipes and traditions with each other. Check out more of our tips on how to host the perfect Friendsgiving!

Slider image: @emmachamberlain

by Madelyn Willoughby | 11/23/2023