500 Things To Be Grateful For Today

In this article, discover 500 things to be grateful for today. For easy reading, these 500 list items have been divided into 15 categories. Use this list to help you develop your own gratitude practice and remind you that while life may not be perfect, there’s still a lot of really wonderful things in this world to feel grateful for.

Finding Gratitude

Embracing gratitude is the practice of expressing sincere appreciation for your daily miracles. But these daily miracles aren’t necessarily “really big” things. Often, it’s the normal, everyday experiences of our lives that provide us with the biggest reasons to express our gratitude:

Having a safe, warm home to live in. Being loved and appreciated by family and friends. Possessing a strong heart and healthy lungs. Your first sip of coffee in the morning. The ability to open your eyes and greet a brand new day.

Every morning, I write down at least three things I’m grateful for that day. However, in this practice, I find myself often writing down the same things week after week. And while there’s nothing wrong with this, I wanted to see if I could come up with a longer list of people, places, things, and experiences to feel truly grateful for in my life.

Below, you’ll find 500 things to be grateful for today. I’ve separated these list items into subtopics such as Body, People & Relationships, Past Experiences, and Nature. However, you’ll find that many of these list items can fit under multiple categories.

Whether you have an ongoing gratitude practice or are starting a new one, I hope that this list of 500 things to be grateful for today helps you to view your life from a perspective of true abundance: seeing it for all that you have rather than all that you lack.

Not all list items will apply to you, and that’s okay. They may still help you to spur new thoughts and ideas about things you feel grateful for in your life. Because while 500 things to be grateful for may seem like a lot, it’s actually just barely skimming the surface of all there is in this world to appreciate. (For instance, after I finished the list, I realized I didn’t include very much about your job and career!)

And finally, no matter what’s going on in your life, I hope you remember that expressing gratitude doesn’t mean you have to ignore the your heavy emotions or suppress any frustration you may feel in this moment.

Rather, it’s an opportunity to take a deep breath and acknowledge that even when life isn’t perfect, there’s still a lot of really beautiful things in this world to feel grateful for.

500 Things To Be Grateful For Today

Body

• Healthy lungs for breathing
• A strong heart
• Eyes that give you vision to see the world
• Ears to hear music and laughter
• A nose to smell flowers and freshly baked cookies
• A tongue (and taste buds!) to taste your favorite foods
• Lips to kiss your partner, your children, or your pets
• A functioning brain for thinking, problem-solving, and all-around living
• Healthy legs for walking, running, and dancing
• Arms for hugging the people you love
• Hands and fingers that allow you write, draw, and hold a hot mug of something warm and tasty
• An immune system that keeps you healthy
• A liver that removes harmful toxins
• Muscles that help you to move, lift, speak, and enjoy life to the fullest
• Strong bones to help you stand, move, and experience the world
• Resilient, self-repairing skin that shields and protects you
• Those scars you have that are proof of a life fully lived

Yourself

• Your skills and talents
• Your kindness
• Your compassion
• Your strength
• Your courage
• Your resilience
• The challenges you’ve faced with your own courage and strength
• Your ability to see the world through the eyes of love and appreciation
• How far you’ve come
• Your endless capacity to love
• Your ability to persevere, even when life feels hard
• Your generous heart
• Your integrity
• Your intelligence
• Your creativity
• Your problem-solving skills
• Your deepest, most heartfelt dreams
• Your passions
• Your humor
• Your unending hope

Nature

• Sunsets and sunrises
• Dreamy blue skies
• Fluffy white clouds
• The breeze against your skin on a warm day
• The endless beauty of the ocean
• That glorious mountain in the distance (or the one you’ve climbed)
• The trees that stay rooted to the ground, no matter how hard the wind blows
• The changing of the leaves from lovely green to spectacular reds, oranges, and yellows
• A peaceful lake, river, or creek
• The warm sand beneath your bare feet
• The brightness of the full moon
• A sky full of stars on a clear night
• Beautiful, majestic wild animals
• The soft whisper of the snow as it blankets the earth
• That one place you can always find peace, no matter how heavy life feels
• Birds chirping outside your window
• The smell of freshly cut grass
• Wildflowers
• Lavender fields

People & Relationships

• Your mother
• Your father
• Your siblings
• Your children
• Your partner
• Your grandparents
• Your stepmother
• Your stepfather
• An adult who helped raise you
• Your aunts and uncles
• Your cousins
• Your nieces and nephews
• Your in-laws
• Your first best friend
• Your high school best friends
• Your college best friends
• Your current best friends
• Your boss
• Your coworkers
• Your neighbors
• Your community
• Your first love
• Your past and present mentors
• Your coaches
• Your mentors
• Your classmates
• Your religious leaders
• Kind strangers
• A teacher who made a difference
• The cashier who knows you by name
• Your mail deliverer
• Your doctor and nurses
• Your work best friend
• Your roommates
• Your hairdresser
• Your therapist
• Someone you barely knew who said something that sticks with you to this day
• Someone who makes you feel safe
• Someone who always makes you laugh
• Someone you can be your true self with
• Someone who has seen you through your highs and lows and still loves you, no matter what
• Someone who makes you believe in the goodness of people

Entertainment

• That song that always makes you want to dance
• That song that touches your heart every single time you hear it
• That song that reminds you of a special memory
• Your favorite band
• Your favorite singer
• Music, in general (and its healing power)
• Your favorite movie
• A movie scene that always makes you laugh
• A movie quote you love
• The best acting you’ve ever watched
• That TV show you can rewatch 100 times without ever getting tired of it
• A nostalgic video game
• Your favorite podcast
• Your favorite content creator
• Your favorite writer
• Your favorite book series
• Lord of the Rings Marathons
• Harry Potter Marathons
• Watching Home Alone every December
• Anything with Keanu Reeves
• Going to a concert
• Going to a show
• Going to a sports game
• Watching the Super Bowl for the game
• Watching the Super Bowl for the commercials
• Watching the Super Bowl for the snacks
• Watching the Super Bowl for the people you get to spend time with

Past Experiences

• Past experiences you’re really proud of
• Past experiences that made you stronger
• Past experiences that helped you to grow
• Past experiences that brought you joy
• Past experiences that made you laugh so hard you cried
• Past experiences that showed you the beauty of being alive
• Past experiences that led you to where you are today
• Past experiences that you wouldn’t take back, even if they didn’t lead where you wanted them to
• Past experiences that showed you that you’re so much braver and stronger than you realized
• The smallest moments that made the biggest difference in your life
• Past experiences that brought you peace
• Past experiences that showed you the power of forgiveness
• Past experiences that surprised you in the best way
• Past experiences that helped you to learn from your mistakes
• Past experiences that helped you to break out of a rut
• Past experiences that made you shake and tremble with nerves – but you got through them
• Past experiences that allowed you to feel truly alive
• Past experiences that showed you the meaning of true love
• Past experiences that helped you to connect to yourself
• Past experiences that helped you to connect to others
• Past experiences that helped you to connect to the universe as a whole

Possessions

• Your home
• Your car
• Your phone
• Your laptop
• Your tablet
• Your video game consoles
• Your television
• Your bed
• Your blankets
• Your pillows
• Your toothbrush
• Your toothpaste
• Your body-cleansing products
• Your lotion and moisturizer
• Your hairbrush
• Your makeup
• Your kitchen table
• Your coffee maker
• Your favorite coffee mug
• Your plates and bowls
• Your eating utensils
• Your kitchen sink
• The food in your pantry
• Your microwave
• Your stove
• Your refrigerator
• Your toaster
• Your air fryer
• Your Instant Pot
• Your pots and pans
• Your baking sheets
• Your oven mitts
• Your dishwasher
• Your garbage cans
• Your couch
• Your desk
• Your clothes
• Your washer and dryer
• Your security system
• The locks on your doors
• Your Smart Home devices
• The roof on your house
• Your furnace
• Your wall decorations
• Your fitness tracker
• Your headphones or AirPods
• Your shoe collection
• Your hair dryer
• Your hair straightener
• Your curling irons
• Your vacuum
• Your windows
• Your curtains
• Your blinds
• Your light fixtures
• Your gardening equipment
• Your lawn tools
• Your toys and games

Food & Drink

• Water
• Coffee
• Tea
• Smoothies
• Chocolate
• Spicy snacks
• Pancakes & waffles
• Pumpkin pie
• Pizza
• Tacos
• Pasta
• Seafood
• Sushi
• Fresh vegetables
• Tropical fruit
• Organic foods
• Gluten-free foods
• Sour candy
• Hard candies
• Gummy bears
• The combination of peanut butter and chocolate
• Mint chocolate chip ice cream
• Cookie dough
• Lemon-flavored sweets
• Chocolate-covered strawberries
• Burgers (Vegetarian ones, too!)
• Crispy fries
• Your favorite meal
• Your favorite treat
• Comfort food on heavy days
• Warm soup when it’s cold outside
• Soft, warm, freshly baked bread
• That one meal from your favorite restaurant
• Home-cooked meals
• Home-baked desserts
• Sparkling water
• Sparkling cider
• Your favorite soda
• Orange juice
• Freshly squeezed lemonade

Animals & Insects

• Cats and kittens
• Dogs and puppies
• Horses
• Rabbits
• Squirrels
• Deer
• Cattle
• Pigs
• Chickens
• Hummingbirds
• Ladybugs
• Butterflies
• Eagles
• Giraffes
• Zebras
• All. The. Animals. (I could make a list of just 500 animals, so I’m going to stop myself here!)

The Little Things

• Seasonal candles
• Fuzzy socks
• Stretchy leggings
• Slippers
• Crystals & gemstones
• Essential oils
• Affirmation cards
• Motivational quotes
• Souvenirs from past vacations
• Old journals and diaries
• Polaroid cameras
• Plants
• Freshly cut flowers
• Succulents
• Mala beads
• Old pictures
• Bookshelves filled with classic literature
• A meaningful piece of jewelry
• The soft glow of a Himalayan salt lamp
• The scent of your favorite body wash
• Bubble bath
• Throw pillows
• Coffee dates with your best friend
• A kind smile from a stranger
• Board game nights with friends and family
• The feel of freshly washed sheets against your bare legs
• A rainy day spent inside snuggled on the couch
• Deep conversations with people you connect with on a soul level
• Wearing a new outfit that makes you feel really good
• Getting a meme or gif that makes you laugh
• Crying it all out
• Finding money you didn’t know you had
• The scent of chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven
• Ridiculous dancing with friends
• The moment your favorite song starts playing on the radio
• Your favorite family traditions
• Buying from a small, family-run business
• Winning something unexpectedly
• Running into someone you love while you’re out in public
• Comfy pajamas
• Girls’ nights
• Guys’ nights
• A feel-good book
• Sleepovers with your best friends
• Three-day weekends
• Creating a playlist of your favorite songs
• The first sip of coffee in the morning
• A warm shower
• Outdoor lunch breaks on a perfect-temperature day
• A peaceful moment to yourself before the day starts
• Rewatching your favorite holiday movie for the 500th time
• Beach days
• Lake days
• Cabin days
• Snow days
• Summer nights with friends
• The fresh scent of the post-rain air in the spring
• The touch of the sun’s rays against your skin in the summer
• The autumn colors and crisp coolness of the air
• Snowy winters spent indoors next to the fireplace
• Getting dressed up for no reason at all
• Giggling with your best friend over inside jokes
• Taking a vacation day to stay in and do nothing
• Taking a nap in the middle of the day
• Dinner parties with friends
• Having breakfast for dinner
• Having cold pizza for breakfast
• A goodnight kiss
• A kiss on the forehead
• Your favorite childhood toy
• A beautiful ending
• A new beginning
• Moving into a new home
• Doing a cartwheel
• Talking to your mom on the phone
• Cuddling with the person you love most in this world
• Receiving an unexpected gift
• Giving a gift to someone when they don’t expect it

Firsts

• The first time you saw the ocean
• The first time you travelled by plane
• The first time you touched snow
• The first time you held your crush’s hand
• Your first kiss
• The first time you drove a car
• The first car you owned
• The first time you ran 5K
• The first time you ran 10K
• The first time you achieved something you never thought you would
• The first time you meditated, even though you were quite certain you were doing it wrong
• Your first job
• Your first paycheck
• Your first promotion
• The first time you fell in love
• The first house you bought

Modern Conveniences

• Food delivery services
• Grocery delivery services
• Curbside pickup
• Wireless internet
• GPS
• Fast food
• Drive-thrus
• Online shopping
• Zoom
• Spotify
• Meditation apps
• Google Calendar
• Netflix
• Hulu
• Amazon Prime
• HBO Max
• Cell phone cameras
• UPS
• Fed-Ex
• Same Day Delivery
• Two-Day Shipping
• Overnight Shipping
• Indoor plumbing
• Electricity
• Water heaters
• Curbside garbage service

Activities & Experiences

• Meditating
• Practicing yoga
• Camping
• Hiking
• Jogging
• Biking
• Reading
• Writing
• Painting
• Drawing
• Crafting
• Cooking
• Dancing
• Singing
• Baking
• Gardening
• Exercising
• Roller blading
• Ice skating
• Skateboarding
• Skiing
• Sledding
• Snowboarding
• Snowball fights
• Building a snowman
• Going on a picnic
• Art in the park
• Roasting marshmallows over a campfire
• Running through the sprinklers on a warm day
• Swimming in the ocean
• Swimming in the lake
• Swimming in a pool
• Paddleboarding
• Spending a day at the theme park
• Riding a roller coaster
• Road trips
• Stargazing
• Daydreaming
• Journaling
• Traveling somewhere new for the first time
• Working in a job you love
• Going to a museum
• Golfing
• Mini-golfing
• Working from home
• Re-reading your favorite book
• Watching the city lights from a viewpoint high above it all
• Celebrating a birthday
• Dressing up for Halloween
• Staying up until midnight on New Year’s Eve
• Sharing a New Year’s kiss with someone you love
• Going to a high school reunion
• Watching a waterfall
• Traveling the world
• Walking on the beach
• Falling in love
• Learning how to love yourself
• Speaking your truth, even when your voice shakes
• Standing up for yourself
• Standing up for someone else

Places In Your Community

• The gym
• The grocery store
• Restaurants
• Clothing stores
• Schools
• The building you work in
• Hospitals
• Urgent care clinics
• Fire stations
• Recycling centers
• Hair salons
• Spas
• Parks
• Nail salons
• The yoga studio
• The art studio
• The art museum
• Your local bookstore
• Your local game store
• The family-owned corner store that’s been there forever
• Coffee shops
• Bakeries
• Bagel shops
• Your favorite pizza place
• Home decor stores
• Locally-owned businesses
• Shoe stores
• Candy stores
• Donut shops
• Ice cream shops
• The Farmer’s Market
• Plant and garden centers
• Hardware stores
• The bike park
• The skateboard park
• The airport
• Gas stations
• Hotels
• Waterparks
• Toy stores
• Libraries
• Office supply stores
• Vet clinics
• Daycare facilities
• Sporting goods stores

Growing Up

• Your education
• Having your own bedroom (or sharing a room with your close-knit sibling)
• Eating home-cooked meals
• Wearing new clothes to school
• Wearing brand new shoes on the first day of school
• Having coats and warm clothing that fit you
• Having parents who worked to keep you warm, fed, and safe
• Having parents who made you feel unconditionally loved
• Getting what you asked for on your birthday & holiday lists
• Going on vacations with your family
• Having adults in your life who cared about your well-being
• Being in an environment in which your imagination was encouraged
• Being told you can do and be anything you want
• Never having to guess where your next meal will come from
• Being allowed to just be a kid

---

What things are you most grateful for in your life? Share some of the items on your personal gratitude list below!

And for more resources on spirituality, meditation, manifestation, and all things self-love, be sure to connect with me on Instagram and Pinterest, where I’m posting positive affirmations and empowering messages daily.

---