It seems like August was ages away, but I have been super busy, so this gratitude journal is being published a little later than planned.

Reading back on August, it sounds lovely: the weather, the dog cuddles, the ice cream, the TV, and the podcasts. Though I do recall it being a tough month as well, work wise, but I’m super grateful for the support network I have around me.

So, here is a very late August 2023 gratitude journal:

1 Grateful for the hubby offering lots of comforting hugs, it was another long work day, so hugs were definitely needed. Grateful for tea, I’m sure making my way through my birthday tea and the caffeine is also very much needed.

2 Grateful for the support of my kind manager and colleagues helping my direct report as I plough through some priority work. Grateful for my morning walk with Artemis, even though it was drizzling, it’s really interesting how she understands what I ask of her (sometimes).

3 Grateful for my colleague being really supportive and empathetic and understanding about my work stresses. I’ve felt like I had to shoulder the burden and responsibilities but my colleague and line manager have now affirmed that is not the case so I literally have a weight lifted off my shoulders. Grateful for insightful conversations to get things off my chest and form an action plan. Grateful for a podcast I started listening to called Savvy Psychologist, talking about the different types of rest and explaining really clearly that avoiding something or someone is like trying to avoid the rain. You either move somewhere that doesn’t rain, don’t go outside when it rains, or get an umbrella. Gotta go find me a mental umbrella.

4 Grateful for organised laziness, as we cooked last weekend and were able to just quickly reheat dinner this evening. Grateful for OneNote helping me keep track of work and ensure that I don’t miss anything.

5 Grateful for art and entertainment giving me some escapism after a long arduous work week. Started watching Good Omens and it’s really good, I’m grateful for interesting story lines making me think about the world.

6 Grateful for Good Omens today, quite thought provoking and really entertaining watching this. Grateful for doing a little writing today, which I feel I haven’t done in quite a while. Grateful for metaphors too – I’ve heard one from a podcast that I happen to keep repeating to myself as I find it really effective.

7 Grateful for the hubby helping me park and then get out of a tight spot at the vets – the car park at the vets is tiny! Or maybe my car is too large? Grateful for Artemis and dog walks and discovering new parks. The views were wonderful and the car park was massive!

8 Grateful for tea today, almost finished the tea I received for my birthday. Grateful for big car park spaces so I can easily park my car. Grateful for having already prepared dinner at the weekend for a quick and easy reheat meal this evening. Grateful for safe spaces to get things off my chest.

9 Grateful for work holding a merchandise sale and getting lots of goodies, and also for a good cause and the proceeds are going to charity. Grateful for a sub team meeting, offering a space to air concerns and form a reasonable action plan. Grateful for Artemis, being adorable and napping and snoring on me this evening.

10 Grateful for clear roads on the motorway en route home this evening, which rarely happens. Grateful for ice cream today, yummy Maltesers ice cream. Grateful for being in the room where things happen, lots of things discussed and pertinent points and action plans raised. And grateful for my past training coaching me to speak up in every meeting – and that’s just what I did, so future me will be thankful for the information I received today.

11 Grateful for Wagamamas, which was super tasty and I hadn’t had it in a while. Grateful for tracking my time and this is actually preventing me from task switching which I find really annoying and loses my focus so grateful there was less of that today. Grateful for Artemis who was snoozing on me this evening, she stood on me and licked my eyes too which was a first!

12 Grateful for sunshine and wind drying the clothes in the garden really well. Grateful for the hubby making broccoli and stilton soup this evening – super tasty. Grateful for broccoli and stilton soup recipe from Nigella Lawson, it never fails. Grateful for Trello helping me stay on track of life admin and everything I need to do in life.

13 Grateful for Artemis today, introducing me to interesting people. Grateful for the hubby cooking and doing meal prep for the week ahead. Grateful for decent weather today, as I spent some time outdoors, and of course it allowed the clothes to dry quite well.

14 Grateful for Artemis, she snoozed on me this evening and it was adorable! Grateful for tea, I have finally finished the last of my birthday teas and moving back to good old PG tips. Grateful for colleagues and hubby, supporting me through difficult conversations.

15 Grateful for sunshine, walking the dog this morning and not a cloud in the sky, such a bright blue sky and deep green grass – my eyes were loving all the nature. And grateful for Artemis, enjoying the walk with me and helping me stay present. Grateful for family dog walks too, as we managed a short walk all together this evening. And grateful for good music, currently watching a Chinese drama and the opening credits has a really catchy tune.

16 Grateful for brownies and grateful for work as there were brownies to celebrate a big achievement in the office today. Grateful for Artemis who snoozed on me this evening – she was just so super adorable! Grateful for a new podcast I’m listening to called Savvy Psychologist, giving really insightful tips for mental health.

17 Grateful for interesting conversations with colleagues today, talking about all manner of random topics. Grateful for a parking space close to the main entrance too. Grateful for podcasts, as I can listen to them whilst driving.

18 Grateful for supportive colleagues helping me through tough issues at work. Had a nice check in and was informed I’m very solution orientated which is very true, and I was reminded that some things are out of my control so I can try to worry about those things less. Also grateful for a Chinese drama I’ve finished watching, Hello Mr Gu, predictable yet still funny and entertaining – the soundtrack is also really catchy.

19 Grateful for good friends, good conversation, good board games, and good brownies. Artemis met her first baby today, so I’m grateful for our friends for the intro.

20 Grateful for the sun today, drying the laundry really well. Grateful for staying home and having a lazy day today, as I was due to drive somewhere but didn’t need to in the end. Grateful for Artemis, who snoozed on me and clambered all over me today. It’s nice knowing she feels safe enough to sleep and let her guard down around us.

21 Grateful for the hubby cooking a tasty meal this evening. Grateful for flip flops that came today, because Artemis chewed my old flip flops so I’ve had to use the hubby’s. Grateful for Artemis who was super cuddly this evening. Grateful for the new door bell that works!

22 Grateful for Artemis who was snoozing and snoring on me this evening. Grateful to have an earlier dinner than usual this evening. Grateful for banks being open into the evening as I had to make an urgent call, and I have never been so anxious when being put on hold! Grateful for Chinese drama Go Ahead, which is really funny yet thought provoking at the same time.

23 Grateful for lunch and learns, giving free pizza and helpful tips for work. Grateful for Artemis, who was snoozing on me this evening. Grateful for being heard at work, which is so refreshing. Grateful for a shift in mindset after an interesting conversation today: without difficulties and challenges, there is no growth; instead of thinking “why am I facing these challenges”, think “this is as bad as it gets so it can only get better”.

24 Grateful for podcasts as I was listening to Barb Knows Best whilst driving this morning and there are so many enlightening nuggets. Grateful for ice cream, really enjoying Twix ice cream lately.

25 Grateful for sun and wind helping to dry laundry. Grateful for M&S chocolatey biscuits. Grateful for Artemis, snoring on me this evening. Grateful for an interesting episode of Marvellous Mrs Maisel today.

26 Grateful for friends who introduced us to their new baby today – he was such a smiley baby. Grateful for satnav and transport links, allowing us to visit said baby. Grateful for a new doggy day care person who taught Artemis recall on a whistle – she is such a clever dog! And grateful for the hubby, having open and honest conversations about life.

27 Grateful for a lie in this morning, catching up on some much needed snoozing. Grateful for chocolate shortbread biscuits, really good when dunked in tea. Grateful for our upcoming holiday as we had a look at the itinerary and I’m really looking forward to this holiday.

28 Grateful for arms, as I washed the car today and man I do not have any upper body strength whatsoever! So I’m grateful that my weak arms can be useful and do things. Grateful for Derry Girls, which is absolutely hilarious.

29 Grateful for tea, such a heartwarming drink. Grateful for Artemis, helping me stay present. Grateful for the hubby, sorting out dinner and listening to me rant.

30 Grateful for podcasts, been listening to Barb Knows Best and it’s always so insightful. Also grateful for conversations and learning more about attachment theory.

31 Grateful for Twix ice cream today, as the summer is nearing to an end that means no more ice cream from work so I’m grateful to eat free tasty ice cream. Grateful for podcasts, as I was listening to an episode of Asian Boss Girl, where it was discussed that if you’re not failing at something then that means you’re not pushing yourself hard enough which was interesting to hear.