As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us turn our thoughts toward gratitude. But have you considered how small expressions of thankfulness can fuel your creative journey? Creating something from nothing is both thrilling and challenging, and while the joy of making and sharing is real, so is the fear that it may never be enough. This essay explores how cultivating gratitude—especially for small wins—can transform our dream-chasing process and help us sustain the energy and resilience to keep going.
A Personal Story of Revision and Resilience
Since the creative journey is not a solo endeavor, I sent Draft 8 to 21 beta readers. Thirteen got back to me with plenty of good feedback, including: “I’m hooked!” “You do a great job of evoking Kauai.” “I read your book cover to cover in a single sitting. What a gift!” “Your writing shows a mastery of the craft.”
But they also noticed a lot of room for improvement, and soon their complements were replaced with the worry that I’d never get it right. And worse, I didn’t feel joy when I thought about writing Draft 9. I wondered if I was wasting my life with this dream of mine.
One important form of maintaining creative energy and perseverance is self-care. For me, that includes yin yoga. During a virtual weeklong Autumn Equinox retreat, I noticed a deep resistance to rewriting my novel. Instead of suppressing it, I leaned into it, and discovered a fear of failure. I sat with that fear, and then it dissipated. In its place was a feeling of self-trust—a trusting of my intuition, my creative impulse, my ability to tell a story. As that settled into my bones, I noticed my privilege. Of the time, space, and resources available to pursue my dream. And that became gratitude, which gave me the courage to level up.
The Science of Gratitude and Perseverance
Gratitude isn’t just a feel-good emotion; it has proven psychological benefits that are particularly valuable for creatives. According to Dr. Martin Seligman, a pioneer in positive psychology, gratitude fosters positive emotions, which can counteract the self-doubt and discouragement that often accompany creative pursuits. His PERMA model suggests that positive emotions—like gratitude—promote resilience, a crucial factor in perseverance.
Additionally, studies from UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center demonstrate that even small expressions of thankfulness can reduce burnout, leading to increased commitment to long-term goals. Gratitude, whether directed toward the past, present, or future, has the power to shift our perspective and motivate us to push forward.
The nonprofit Proof Positive, which supports creatives, emphasizes how recognizing and celebrating small successes can boost motivation. Their research shows that by focusing on these “wins,” we reinforce our commitment to goals and build endurance for the often-lengthy creative journey.
Simple Practices to Cultivate Gratitude
Here are a few practices that have helped me—and that you can try—to cultivate gratitude in the creative process:
Write a Gratitude Letter: Write a letter of gratitude to someone who has supported your creative journey. If you can, deliver it in person or keep it as a reminder of the people who have helped you along the way.
Daily Gratitude List: Each day, jot down five things you’re grateful for. These can be as simple as a steaming cup of tea, the quiet of early morning, or a productive creative session. Recording gratitude before bed helps you wake up with a positive mindset.
Compare Your Growth: Take a moment to consider where you were in your journey one year ago. Reflect on how far you’ve come and congratulate yourself for persevering through the ups and downs.
Track Small Wins: Keeping a record of small wins helps you see that progress is happening, even if it’s slow. Wins can include anything from reaching a word count goal to decluttering your creative space. Each small step is a part of your larger dream.
Create a Gratitude Jar: Start a gratitude jar where you can drop small notes of things you’re thankful for throughout the year. On New Year’s Eve, review your notes as a way to reflect on all the good moments of the year.
Further Reading to Inspire Gratitude in Creativity
For those interested in a deeper dive, here are a few books on gratitude and its role in resilience and creativity.
(These are affiliate links.)
“Gratitude” by Oliver Sacks: A reflective meditation on gratitude, this book offers insights into finding fulfillment in small moments, which is particularly meaningful for sustaining creative energy.
“The Happiness Advantage” by Shawn Achor: This book explores how small positive practices, like gratitude, can lead to major improvements in creativity, productivity, and perseverance.
“Lost & Found” by Kathryn Schulz: In this part-memoir, Schulz explores how gratitude helps us navigate the dualities of joy and grief—an insightful read for anyone balancing the highs and lows of creative work.
Please leave a comment or share a small win you’re celebrating this week. Whether it’s a breakthrough in a project, a personal achievement, or something that brightened your day, your story might just be the encouragement someone else needs to keep going. Let’s build a community that celebrates each other’s wins, big and small, on this creative journey.
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