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AIBU?

Do you ever just stop and think how lucky you are?

127 replies

ProverbialOuthouse · 24/09/2017 11:04

I don't know if I'm just on a high or what (I suffer with irrational mood swings) but I often just stop and think about how lucky I am.

Example - a few nights ago I got into bed, got comfy with my iPad and thought "shit, I'm so lucky - I'm laid here in a beautiful comfy bed, in a lovely warm house, playing on an iPad with reliable wifi, a full belly and a class of clean water beside me". It's the little things. How many people at that moment would be trying to sleep in an alley way, hungry and cold and wondering if they'll make it through the night without being picked on by idiots passing by? How many people at that moment would be laid in a mucky bed, cold because the electric/gas had ran out and wondering whether the pennies they have left for the week will stretch to another meal? And I'm talking about this country (uk) alone. In other places the outlook can be so much worse.

Last night I went to grab the milk out of the fridge and a load of stuff fell out - why? Because the fridge is so full that there isn't the room for everything. I had another of my moments in thinking how lucky I am and said to DH "the fridge is so full stuff is falling out of it, arnt we lucky so have that?". He gave me a look and said "not this again!". But I can't help it!! I can't just take these things for granted, I feel they should be appreciated and acknowledged regularly. I wasn't always so lucky - there was a time when I had to choose between eating or having heating so maybe that's why I'm like this?

Not a goady or boasting thread btw and I realise that some people reading this may not be so lucky but does anyone else sometimes just stop and count their blessings over the little things? Or am I odd?

OP posts:
Standstilling · 24/09/2017 11:10

Every time I load the washing machine or dishwasher I think of my Granny who had 12 children, no running water and cooked on an open fire. My Grandad couldn't work because of arthritis from a young age in a country with no NHS or national welfare system.

So yes OP, we are right to count our blessings. My warm house, my healthy children. And the sun is out too!

BlondeB83 · 24/09/2017 11:12

Yes, often. More people should.

Sassypants82 · 24/09/2017 11:13

I do. Especially about my children. DH & I often talk about how fortunate we are in so many ways. Largely due to supportive, healthy & loving families around us, a roof, jobs & food. Bit mostly when we talk about our two beautiful, healthy babies. We really count our blessings. I think it's a lovely, appreciative trait.

FenceSitter01 · 24/09/2017 11:13

Yes. People moan, but in reality, everyone has access to heat, light, education, medicine, food. (even if comes via charity)

Gorgosparta · 24/09/2017 11:16

I do this. It is important to think of the little things

But i can also your dhs point of view if its recurring converstation you keep having.

Hunkle · 24/09/2017 11:17

Yes I do. I am able to spend £10 a week on petrol & £40 a week on food. I still think I am a lot better off than a lot of people. I appreciate every pound I earn.

We had nothing growing up, and I know how quickly things can change.

NikiBabe · 24/09/2017 11:20

But then we dont live in the third world.

Our lives do seem.luxurious in comparision but then if that is used as an argument then all of us should be content just to be warm, dry and fed. Im sorry but I want more out of life than that and no i don't feel lucky at all after having had a rough few years.

KityGlitr · 24/09/2017 11:21

Yes all of the time! In loads of ways. Ever since working in prisons I feel enormously lucky when I remember that I can choose where I go. I can go outside if I want to, or visit the shops, have a shower when I want. When I'm in bed at night I'm not locked in. I valued my freedom immensely.

I used to have very severe chronic pain, it's still theft but lots of meds means it's manageable these days, and so I really appreciate when I don't feel anything in my body. That sounds weird but you know when you have a migraine you can't possibly imagine what it's like not to have that pain in your head? Well now I've felt severe constant pain for years on end I really appreciate and value being able to sit still and feel pure nothingness in my body.

I feel lucky I have a roof and a door that locks and heating and somewhere safe to live. I feel lucky in get to go to a job I love that Is paid well each day and not a job I hate like I used to do. I snuggle up to my partner at night and remember how lucky I am so be in a secure happy relationship with someone I love, as I remember the nights crying myself to sleep after heartbreak.

I genuinely do feel like my life is full of riches even though I live in a small rented flat and don't have mega bucks, cos it's so much more than so many people have. Don't even get me started on the fact I have access to stuff like paracetamol and antibiotics when I need them, so a simple infection doesn't turn into a crisis.

I have food, clean running water, enough money to live on, people who love me, my health and freedom and access to sources of entertainment. So I feel I'm luckier than many many people in the world.

RandomUsernameHere · 24/09/2017 11:22

Yes and I should do it even more. I especially think how lucky we are to have our two beautiful and healthy DC.
Thanks for reminding us OP!

KityGlitr · 24/09/2017 11:22

Sometimes when I see shows like real housewives and they live in mansions with swimming pools i feel jealous and my small two bed rented flat feels inferior. But then I remember all the people I've worked with in the past or known for whom a rented two bed flat they can pay the rent on and lock safely at night is a pipe dream they may never attain (due to criminal record, lack of earning power, addiction problems etc) and give my head a shake.

stevie69 · 24/09/2017 11:24

You're not odd. And I think how lucky I am for my life every single day.

I agree with @BlondeB83 too: more people should. It'd make for a kinder world.

PastysPrincess · 24/09/2017 11:24

My DS was rushed to hospital by ambulance and admitted overnight on Friday. Once things had calmed down and we were settled on the ward I said to my DH. "Aren't we bloody lucky we have all this without having to think can I actually afford for DS to be treated? Aren't we lucky we live somewhere that help is just there"

Flowers for all the NHS staff that helped my DS. I don't even know how many there were let alone all their names.

Anatidae · 24/09/2017 11:26

Yes. I was thinking the other day about how I have hot running water, a peaceful country, a job, my freedom and a reasonably functioning ecology. All of which can't be taken for granted

Hot water ... seriously we don't know how lucky we are.

Notreallyarsed · 24/09/2017 11:27

PastysPrincess I hope your DS is recovering well Flowers

I do OP, a lot. I’ve been bones of my arse skint, homeless, had various breakdowns, been in an abusive marriage and got free. I still get a buzz putting the heating on, or seeing the fridge full of food, being able to get the kids new clothes and shoes when needed instead of worrying and panicking. Security is a lovely feeling, and it’s not to be underestimated. Not in a smug way, in a very grateful way.

Cin3ma · 24/09/2017 11:31

I try really hard to 'practice gratitude' (apologies for wanky phrase).

Some days its easier than other.

On the whole, though, I only have to watch something on the news about Syria or another war-torn part of the world and feel extremely grateful for my life and, more importantly, for the life I am able to give to my children.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 24/09/2017 11:40

Yes I do, especially when I'm tucked up safe and warm in my clean comfy bed with my lovely DH, when I'm having a nice hot shower in our nice warm bathroom and when we're sitting down for a meal with our four kids and everyone is smiling and chatting away.

I'm sure having less in the past makes it all the sweeter now.

When my kids were tiny I had a problem with my ankle and could barely walk for a couple of years. After surgery it was just so amazing to stroll around pain free. I used to absolutely love the walk to school every day.

Horsemad · 24/09/2017 11:40

Yes I do. All the time. I'm grateful I live where I do, who I live with and that I have a comfortable life.

I appreciate what I have, every single day.

Trills · 24/09/2017 11:41

I'm very lucky.

I'm healthy, I have a job I enjoy that pays well, and I have exactly as many children as I wish (which is none - a lucky thing to want as it's the easiest number to achieve).

NooNooHead1981 · 24/09/2017 11:43

Yes, I do it all the time. My DF told me recently that I had a lot to be grateful for, especially after such a shitty year that I have had losing my DB to cancer, an ectopic, losing my job, coping with health issues etc. My DB's passing has made me rethink about the reality of life in thus country, how incredibly lucky we are to have the NHS when acute and critical care is needed, and how despite all adversity I have a beautiful DD, amazing family and DH and a lovely home with access to good healthcare and food, water and warmth.

I really do appreciate all the little things so much. I think keeping a gratitude diary is really useful too.

user327854831 · 24/09/2017 11:45

Yes; one of my children has a lot of friends at private schools and they have much much more than us. The other day he said that he was glad that he didn't have all that - massive houses with swimming pools, tennis courts etc etc - because he has me whenever he needs me and their parents are working ridiculous hours to afford it all. That made me feel very lucky, we have a tiny house and hardly any money but we have time together as a family.

SuburbanRhonda · 24/09/2017 11:50

When DD was born by EMCS after a long and unproductive labour, my grandmother said she wished she'd had access to the same level of free healthcare when she was giving birth.

Her first-born child was stillborn, but the doctor didn't come in time. They were living in rural Ireland in the 1930s and were behind with their doctor's bills so he didn't rush. The baby had died by the time he arrived Sad

wildworlds · 24/09/2017 11:50

Yes i do, and especially about my health. Not long ago i could hardly walk and used to envy seeing women much older than me walking energetically, whereas i had to use a stick and in constant pain. I'm now more or less better and i so appreciate it. Being mobile and healthy is wonderful but we sometimes don't realise it till we lose it.

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Callamia · 24/09/2017 11:52

Yes. In the middle of the night, when the three year old has creeped into bed, and there's a baby sleeping on one side of me, a child on the other and poor old husband squashed on the end. They're all quietly sleeping, and I feel so fortunate. Then i wonder why on earth I'm still awake...

ChristmasFluff · 24/09/2017 11:55

I've had a horrendous tummy bug, and as I was on the loo I thought to myself, 'thank goodness for toilets. I feel so awful, what on earth would I do if I couldn't just flush this away?' I felt so lucky, and grateful for modern sanitation.

amousehaseatenmypaddlingpool · 24/09/2017 11:58

I totally do this. I've had a totally unremarkable life but with the usual ups and downs.

When I'm in a down I try and remind myself of how lucky I usually am and when life is going well I try to appreciate it.

I hope I can teach DS to be the same, I think it makes things easier.

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