Giving Thanks

When you’re mired in the thick of migraine, it can be difficult to find things to be grateful for. This month, Migraine.com readers have been sharing three good things that happen to them each day. Collectively, we’ve amassed quite a list of good things in our lives.

People shared their gratitude for some big things, like:

• Very happy that my children are healthy and happy.
• Friends and family who do not judge and are supportive.
• Kids’ laughter.
• Received exciting news today that my niece and her husband are expecting a baby!
• Other than migraine I’m in good heath.
• I have a ton of great friends.
• I have the love of an awesome understanding man.
• Being a grandma is the BEST!
• The ultrasound I had for a lump in my breast came back clear.

Mostly, though, we wrote about the small things. That’s really the aim of the three good things practice – to find even the littlest sparks of gratitude. Big gratitude is usually reserved for infrequent occurrences, while small things make up our daily lives. And sometimes when you’re not feeling well, it’s easier to appreciate the small things than it is to have a grander approach to gratitude. What we’ve given thanks for might seem insignificant to some people, but they add up to big differences in the day-to-day lives of people with migraine.

Sometimes our gratitude is for a migraine reprieve:

• I haven’t had a completely full-blown, puking-my-guts-out-locked-in-a-dark-silent-room migraine for about 5 days!
• I managed to eat something slightly more substantial than toast.
• I got out bed, may have been 6pm but still counts lol.
• I’m starting to get control over my migraines.

Migraine treatment and health care providers got their own share of gratitude:

• I am scheduled to have Botox done by someone who knows the proper protocol for migraines this week
• Amerge worked quickly today so I won’t lose this day to migraine.
• New internist who was kind. Concerned about my long hx of migraines and happy to refill meds which doesn’t always happen.
• Instant referral to neurologist with appt in just a few weeks! Very happy. Was expecting several months.

We are also grateful when migraine has less of an impact on our families, whether that’s from our own migraine attacks or those our loved ones endure:

• I took care of my son most of the day by myself.
• Everyone in the family is migraine-free today.
• My son was able to go to school migraine-free for the first Monday in weeks.

Catching up with the normal tasks of life that get shoved aside when the migraines are bad is a source of gratitude:

• I cleaned my bathroom!!
• I was able to go outside and water some of our plants.
• Had a shower and washed my hair.
• Was able to run a couple errands.
• Got the sheets changed and the carpet vacuumed in our bedroom.

We gave thanks to the people who support us during migraine attacks:

• My mom called and said some really encouraging things to me.
• My good friend picked me up, took me to the docs and then tucked me up at her house so I could rest.
• I’m grateful for my husband coming home from work and giving me a kiss and asking if I was better.
• My son is home from college & I’ve gotten a couple of great hugs from him even though I’m too sick to get out of bed.

Our loved ones also receive our gratitude separate from how they help us during migraine attacks:

• Having tea with a dear friend today
• I got a message from a friend I’ve been missing.
• It was my husband’s birthday, and I was able to make his breakfast fun and good, with lots of Happy birthday greetings from our friends.
• A friend gave me a new book to read. She knows I read a lot, and she was sharing with me.
• Had a nice talk with my mother-in-law.

In addition to people, we are thankful for our pets:

• Puppy kisses when I woke up
• My rescue dog who has been through so much, is happy, healthy and content.
• My not usually affectionate cat came over to me while I was laying in bed and curled up in my arm to snuggle.

Having the energy for migraine-related self-care is a source of gratitude:

• I have made it to day 6 of my Whole30 elimination diet.
• I found time for a small nap today.
• I’m getting a massage today.
• I enjoyed a wonderful restorative yoga class.

Even unrelated to migraine, we are thankful for things that feed our souls:

• I was able to be home in my warm apartment all weekend to rest and catch up on life.
• Laughed a lot.
• Had a comforting night watching tv and snuggling with my hubby.
• I met some new interesting people which always brings new opportunities and possibilities in life.
• I’m about to take a hot bath and read a good book.

Opportunities to enjoy nature and tasty food are also appreciated:

• Enjoying my 3 beautiful purple African violets in bloom.
• Homemade pumpkin scones… yum.
• The large, delicious variety of apples available this time of year.
• Coffee.

Work comes up frequently on three good things lists:

• After a VERY busy Sunday, working alone, I am happy to say I did not barf on any customers.
• Still being able to work (not well or many hours, but still!).
• I’m gainfully employed!
• My wonderful internship and the family I have found there.

Household appliances that make life easier were celebrated:

• I love my slow cooker. What a perfect gadget for a migraineur bc now I don’t have to worry if I’m ok to cook dinner. I can set it up when I feel well.
• Enjoy using my matching washer and dryer.

Even Migraine.com and the three good things practice got some thanks:

• I found this wonderful website that allows me to see that I am not alone.
• I was asked to share three good things that happened today, and I feel better just trying to think of good things to report :)

And, this being November, many of us were grateful to get out to vote.

What are your three good things this Thanksgiving? Please share in the comments below or join our three good things forum thread.