--- title: Gratitude Your Anxiety Away description: Erika Marie shares how the power of gratitude helps her manage anxiety in motherhood. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Gratitude-your-Anxiety-Away-ErikaMarie.png --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2018/11/15/gratitude-your-anxiety-away/#) # Gratitude Your Anxiety Away Nov 15, 2018 7:30:49 PM  |  by [Erika Marie](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/erika-marie) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Gratitude-your-Anxiety-Away-ErikaMarie.png) [!["Gratitude your anxiety away" by Erika Marie (CatholicMom.com)](http://catholicmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Gratitude-your-Anxiety-Away-ErikaMarie.png)](http://catholicmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Gratitude-your-Anxiety-Away-ErikaMarie.png) Image created by the author in Canva.[/caption] Do you struggle with anxiety in your motherhood? I do! Especially around this time of year when expectations are high and energy levels are low. There are many ways to [deal with anxiety in motherhood](http://onesimplemama.com/2016/04/seven-simple-ways-to-deal-with-anxiety-in-motherhood-the-short-list/) but the one thing that has probably helped me *the most *is **Gratitude**. ### A Gratitude** Journal** When I’m caught in an anxious situation – the kids are all yelling at each other over the silliest things, we’re late *again*, the toddler decides he has to poop right *now*, and oh, looks like the dog just threw up all over the floor I *just *cleaned – I feel like either running away or hiding in the bathroom with some chocolate and scrolling through friends’ or even strangers' seemingly perfect lives on Facebook or Instagram. I feel nothing *close *to grateful in that moment. However, *if *I can somehow muster up the courage to ask for a wee bit of Grace, I can take my negative thoughts by the reins and force them away from the deep ugly sludge or paralyzing anxiety and back onto a smoother road by thinking of what I *am *grateful for. Usually, I start out rather reluctantly but if I can get through at least *three* things I’m grateful for, I can usually get through another three and then I realize that, as stressful and annoying as this current situation is, I have so much *more *to be thankful for. Anxiety and depression and all the other difficult emotions that come with motherhood can really weigh us down but we can find a glimmer of light in that dark tunnel when we turn to gratitude. Here are some ways to find that light. - You can either mentally list the things you’re thankful for or offer it as a quick mental prayer. I find it very helpful to write out in words what I’m thankful for in my journal, which I sometimes call my Gratitude Journal. - Many people have shared the idea of keeping a Gratitude Journal and it’s very simple. Find a pretty notebook and pen and pick a time of day (or whenever you need it) and start out with writing out *Three Things I’m Thankful For.* I shared more about the [Gratitude Exercise](http://onesimplemama.com/2015/11/3thingsgrateful/) when I shared Dr. Christopher Kaczor’s book, ***[The Gospel of Happiness: Rediscover Your Faith Through Spiritual Practice and Positive Psychology](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0804141002/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0804141002&linkCode=as2&tag=simplemama-20&linkId=MSW4W2444U6DWLY2)* **. On a good day, your gratitude list may turn into more than three. On a harder day, this could offer you a space and time to “vent” on paper which can also be helpful as long as you circle it back and end with Gratitude. - Tell others you’re thankful for them. Tell your children, *thank you*, in the good moments and even after the bad moments bring the focus back to the positive. Tell your husband, *thank you*, for all he does to love you and your children. Take time during your day to sit and write a thank you card to a friend or family – it’s amazing how this simple act can turn your day around. - Discipline yourself to look at your life – your children, your family, your marriage, your motherhood, *everything *– through the lens of Gratitude. It’s really amazing how powerful gratitude is. **How do you deal with anxiety in your motherhood? What are you grateful for today? I'd love to hear your strategies and thoughts!** --- *Copyright 2018 Erika Marie This article contains Amazon affiliate links; your purchases through these links benefit the author. * ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2018%2F11%2F15%2Fgratitude-your-anxiety-away%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2018%2F11%2F15%2Fgratitude-your-anxiety-away%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2018%2F11%2F15%2Fgratitude-your-anxiety-away%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Gratitude%20Your%20Anxiety%20Away) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2018%2F11%2F15%2Fgratitude-your-anxiety-away%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2018%2F11%2F15%2Fgratitude-your-anxiety-away%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Erika Marie](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/Contriubutors/ANNEMARIE%20MILLER.jpeg) ### [Erika Marie](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/erika-marie) Erika Marie is a simple Catholic, Wife, and Mama. She relishes snuggles and free time with her family and enjoys reading, writing, blogging, and has a slightly obsessive addiction to creating Canva graphics. Enjoy more reflections by Erika at her personal [simplemama](http://onesimplemama.com/) blog. ## Related Blog Articles [ Standing With Mary Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2018/09/27/standing-with-mary/) [ Hoping to Attach to Our Mother of Hope Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/hoping-to-attach-to-our-mother-of-hope) [ Saint Elizabeth, Friends, and the Mercy of God Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/saint-elizabeth-friends-and-the-mercy-of-god) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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