I once had a client say, “I love my people, but sometimes I just want to run away to a cabin in the woods and sleep for 48 hours.”

Honestly? Same.

Blended family life can be beautiful...but it’s also layered, loud, and emotionally loaded. And in the chaos, gratitude can feel like a luxury you should have, but don’t always feel.

Gratitude Isn’t Pretending Everything’s Fine

Let’s get this out of the way: I’m not about fake smiles and pretending everything’s great when it’s not.

Gratitude isn’t denial, it’s an anchor. It doesn’t erase the hard, but it reminds you you’re not powerless in it.

When my stepson’s schedule clashed with our “ours” kids’ school event (again) I felt the irritation rising. But in that moment, I paused and thought: I’m grateful we even have this life to juggle. I’m grateful he’s here, even if it’s hard.

It wasn’t about minimizing the stress. It was about remembering why I’m in this.

Find It in the Micro-Moments

You don’t need a mountaintop moment to be thankful. Try finding it here:

• A night when everyone eats without complaining.

• A random hug from your stepchild.

• Your partner noticing your effort and saying thank you.

Gratitude lives in the ordinary, and when you look for it, it starts to multiply.

What to Do When It Feels Impossible

Some days, gratitude feels out of reach—and that’s okay. On those days, I say:

"God, help me see something good today. Just one thing."

And He always does. Sometimes it's a soft breeze on my walk. Other days, it’s remembering how far we’ve come.

You can hold grief and gratitude at the same time. One doesn’t cancel the other out.

Trust Yourself to Find It Again

You’re not broken if you forget to be thankful. You’re human. But I believe this with my whole heart: you have the power to return to gratitude again and again, and when you do, it changes the atmosphere in your home.

It softens the edges. It makes you more resilient. It reminds you that even in the mess, you’re still growing something good.

Need help staying grounded and hopeful as a blended family mom? Explore my resources at blendingbravely.com/products or schedule a Family Dynamics Audit for $37 to get personal insight for your unique situation.

And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram: @itsmebrittneyp — where we talk real life, real struggles, and real wins.

You’ve got this—and I’ve got you.