A Daily Ritual of Gratitude

February 13, 2025

Writer: Victoria Pescod

Editor: Tyler Peterson

As I dipped my toes into the sand and felt the fresh ocean breeze ripple through my clothes, a deep sense of gratitude came to the forefront of my mind. I stood there, in front of the ocean, admiring the sun as it slipped below the horizon. I thought about everything I’d overcome in the past year and how proud I was of all my accomplishments. I didn’t feel happiness; instead, there was a warm sensation in my heart as I appreciated the beauty of the moment.

As the waves crashed against my feet, the moment fleeted. Once again, I began to overthink. I thought of all the things I wish I hadn’t done, all the things I hated about myself.

The constant pull of the past often consumes me. I get trapped in an endless cycle of regret and insecurity. It’s easy to remind ourselves of all that we’ve done wrong—the things we said we’d do but never did, the mistakes we made, how big our nose is, the things we forgot, the times we wish we had said the right thing. Our minds spiral with these regrets, and we start to wonder what it would be like to go back and change the past. The truth is, the past is gone, and the future is uncertain, but the present is a gift.

We often try to prove ourselves by complimenting our physical appearance or by demanding extreme achievements from ourselves. But I found this approach to be superficial, biased, and unstable. So, I created my own little ritual: each day, I take a piece of paper and write down things I’m proud of. These are often simple things—kind gestures, going to class, working out, cooking dinner, listening to my body, or bathing in sunlight.

Because life’s most precious moments aren’t crafted by perfect skin, overworked schedules, or restless nights. Life’s most precious moments are born from the battles we overcome within ourselves; curated by our strength, passion, resilience, and ambition.

So, as you go to bed each night, before you are left alone with your thoughts, choose to celebrate the tiny steps you took that day. Eventually, the daily life you create today will shape the life you choose for yourself. Let this life reflect the beauty in your heart, the walls you’ve climbed, and the people you’ve loved. But most importantly, let it reflect the love you’ve given yourself.