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It is a struggle to find things to be thankful for right now.
This has been a crazy time and the world is a complete mess. It is really easy to get discouraged, be stressed out, and want to burrito-style roll yourself up in a blanket and not emerge until 2021. We get it.
Amongst the tears, significant loss in website traffic and the fear for everyone’s future and well-being, I reached out to some of our favorite travel bloggers to get their take on what they are thankful for during this difficult time. Because even during a crisis, we do have so many things to be grateful for.
Table of Contents
- Top Things to Be Thankful For
- 1. Having Safe Places Outside Away From Others
- 2. Having Time to Indulge in Well-Written Articles
- 3. Going on Walks With The Pup
- 4. No Travel Means More Time to Work on the Website
- 5. Honestly, the Internet
- 6. The UK’s Financial Support Package
- 7. Having An Emergency Fund
- 8. Finding So Many Great Resources Online to Entertain Children
- 9. Easy Connectivity
- 10. Friendly Locals
- 11. Reading a Book Is Among the Top Things to be Thankful For Right Now
- 12. Time to Rest and Recharge
- 13. Things to Be Thankful For: The Environment Is Getting a Much-Needed Break
- 14. For Living Below Our Means
- 15. One of the Best Things to be Thankful For is Getting Outside For Hikes!
- 16. More Time With Kids
- 17. Many Things to Keep Us Occupied
- 18. Health and Many Income Streams
- 19. The Ability to Cancel Trips And Not Be Out a Lot of Money
- 20. Being With Someone During This
- 21. That I Could Return Safely Home
- 22. So Thankful For Caregivers
- 23. The Ability to Connect Via Technology
- 24. Already Used to Working Together at Home
- 25. Online Classes
- 26. All This Extra Time Is One of the Things to be Thankful For
- 27. Heightened Appreciation For Past Travels
Top Things to Be Thankful For
Without further ado, let’s spread some positivity and be thankful for what we have!
1. Having Safe Places Outside Away From Others
Although I miss traveling so much, I have a lot to be grateful for right now. I was able to avoid getting stuck abroad, and am now isolated in my hometown in Newfoundland, Canada. I grew up in a house in the woods which was annoying while I was in high school but now is a blessing. It means I can easily go outside for walks every day, without having to worry about seeing other people. I am extremely grateful to be so close to nature, which does wonders for my mental health.
From Lora at Explore With Lora.
2. Having Time to Indulge in Well-Written Articles
We live through chaotic times in which we need some anchors to keep us sane and positive. One of the remedies that work for me and that I am really thankful for is to delve into well-written and thoroughly researched journalistic articles on printed paper. I am talking about the likes of The New Yorker or The Atlantic. The haptic experience of holding a magazine and reclining comfortably into your favorite reading chair (perhaps with a soothing tea or well-brewed coffee) and reading an in-depth story carefully crafted by great writers and researchers is truly beautiful.
I get to know aspects of the world that are unknown to me and I am able to mentally partake in an experience that is new and surprising. This gives me moments of escapist joy and bliss. Try it yourself and lose yourself in the realm of great writing and research!
From Emer and Nils at Let’s Go Ireland.
3. Going on Walks With The Pup
One of the things I’m most thankful for while sitting in complete solitary in Spain is that I have my dog, Ayla. Not only is she the best company during long days at home, but she is the only reason I’m allowed out of my property. Of course, I’m allowed to go to the shop to buy essential groceries, but other than that, no one is allowed on the streets.
Having a dog, allows me to walk small walks from the house, like 100-200 meters from my front door. Not much, but having a green space outside, it makes it so much easier to go out and play with her. While she runs after her ball, I run after her. It’s not allowed to go out to run. So, I really appreciate those moments when I can get out some energy and have fun with her.
From Linn at Brainy Backpackers.
4. No Travel Means More Time to Work on the Website
I had always wished to get some extra time to upgrade my travel blog, my logo and some old posts that needed some sprucing up. However, when it came to actual execution, I always preferred traveling over working on my blog. Being stuck at home in India for 21 days has forced me to stop making excuses and actually start working on the things that were on my wish list.
It is tough being inside all day but the satisfaction that you get when you tick something off your to-do list is worth it. I am also using this opportunity to support a local freelancer by working with them for my logo. I hope that my website and I will be refreshed, upgraded, and raring to go once this ends.
From Khushboo at Munni of All Trades.
5. Honestly, the Internet
I’m thankful for the internet for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it allows us to stay connected with family and friends near and far through social networks, video calls, email, and group messages.
Secondly, the internet makes it more accessible to learn a range of topics from how to build a capsule wardrobe to travel hacking. Thirdly, the internet created new jobs and allowed people to work remotely.
Lastly, it has changed the way we buy goods and services. It is possible to shop 24/7 and compare products and services easily. The internet has changed our lives in so many ways.
From Clara at Petite Capsule.
6. The UK’s Financial Support Package
I live in the UK and in these unprecedented times, I’m grateful for the government and their extensive financial support package to everyone in the country. They asked the companies to keep their staff and they guarantee up to 80% of their salaries. They also provide help to big and small businesses, bloggers included.
Financial security is very important in those difficult times. Being able to pay my bills, buy food, and purchase necessities while staying safe in the comfort of my house is something that I’m grateful for. I know that other people in the world that are less fortunate.
From Mal at Raw Mal Roams.
7. Having An Emergency Fund
In this crazy time, I’m reminded of how important it is to have an emergency fund. We keep approximately one year’s worth of living expenses in cash savings to tide us over for exactly this predicament.
It didn’t start off like that, I used to be horrible at saving money and excellent at spending it. To tackle this behemoth task, I broke it down into baby steps – saving $1000, then aiming for $10,000 then a year of living expenses. Although I don’t intend to use it, it gives me great comfort to know we can pay our bills and not lose our house.
Our income has dropped dramatically these past few weeks, so the first step is to eliminate all unnecessary expenses and other luxuries, and only then if we need it, will we dip into the emergency fund.
From Emma at Mum’s Money.
8. Finding So Many Great Resources Online to Entertain Children
During this crisis, we’re finding helpers everywhere. Some of these helpers are artists and authors who are giving their time every day to teach and entertain our homebound children. One of my favorite illustrators is Wendy MacNaughton. She’s well-known in the San Francisco Bay Area, where I live, for her casually stylish sketches of local characters and scenes.
She’s been teaching drawing classes from her home studio each weekday morning through Instagram Live. Well-known and well-loved children’s book authors Oliver Jeffers, Mo Willems, and Mac Barnett have also been teaching art or reading their stories to kids online every day. These creatives are supporting parents and giving structure to our homeschool mornings. So thankful for them!
From Jane at Bella Bird Journeys.
9. Easy Connectivity
10. Friendly Locals
11. Reading a Book Is Among the Top Things to be Thankful For Right Now
12. Time to Rest and Recharge
These crazy times are trying, stressful and scary for so many. That’s why it is so important to celebrate those small wins and find brightness in the smallest moments. Despite the uncertainty prevalent in the current climate, we are grateful for the chance to slow down, to breathe, to rest and recharge.
No more racing off to after-school sports, appointments, dinners, and meetings…now we have nature gently calling. We have quality time with our families, our partners, and our pets. We have the chance to organize our cupboards, read those books, finish those projects, and walk the dog.
We are grateful for the power of nature in these turbulent times, grateful for the unlimited adventures, for the solitude, for the healing and perspective it provides. Moving forward, we have a much sunnier outlook, knowing that we have the support and love of so many.
From Jenna at I Know the Pilot.
13. Things to Be Thankful For: The Environment Is Getting a Much-Needed Break
This is a very demanding time for everyone. A testing time; a time of suffering and sadness; a time when we all need to get a glimpse of that elusive silver lining. We at Green Mochila have been advocating slow and responsible travel since we started our travel blog.
We believe it is possible to travel better, by reducing our flights, our plastic use and our overall consumption. Well, what we and many other travel bloggers have been advocating has suddenly become a harsh reality. Because of this situation –but especially as nobody is traveling now– 48 airlines have entirely grounded their planes and 21 more have canceled over 80% of their flights.
Car transportation is reduced to a bare minimum, and so are their industries. In China, for example, scientists count a 25% reduction in carbon emissions.
So we’re thankful for the rest our planet is getting right now, and we hope polluting habits will not bounce back up as soon as they can. Another world is possible.
From Anthony and Anna at Green Mochila.
14. For Living Below Our Means
I am grateful that I never upgraded my lifestyle regardless of my income level. Whether I had a very well paying job in strategy consulting, at Google, or now, as a full-time blogger, I never changed my lifestyle and always tried to build passive income streams by buying property, becoming a host on Airbnb, and by saving for rainier days.
From Mar at Once in a Lifetime Journey.
15. One of the Best Things to be Thankful For is Getting Outside For Hikes!
I am thankful for being able to get outdoors and hike in New Zealand. Getting outside just helps me to feel alive, and hiking or biking outside, even if it’s not far from home, helps me to get all the endorphins I need.
Endorphins are like nature’s happy pills. It helps me feel positive and energized, even when I start off feeling down and out. So I’m thankful for the fresh air and the positive spirits it brings.
From Jennifer at Backyard Travel Family.
16. More Time With Kids
Staying indoors for weeks at a time can get extremely difficult, especially for families who are balancing work, life, and school among many individuals. I am grateful for my kids. They emanate joy, happiness, and curiosity. They ask questions, dance without music and giggle over the silliest things. There is never a dull moment, and it reminds me of just what happiness really is.
From Diana at Travels in Poland.
17. Many Things to Keep Us Occupied
As a travel blogger, I am thankful right now that I have lots to keep me occupied! I travel with my partner full-time in a motorhome in Europe and we are lucky enough not to be dependent on our blog income, although it helps. This means I can spend time writing the 15-20 posts I have in my head which I’ve been desperate to get out over the past few months.
It seems like marketing, SEO, site speed, backlinks, and so many other things get in the way of writing! Now I can put that stuff temporarily on hold, knowing that my numbers can’t get much worse, and focus on having the best content ready for when we beat this.
From Izzy at The Gap Decaders.
18. Health and Many Income Streams
During this time, I’m very thankful for my health and my loved ones. We’ve been taking care of each other and making sure we all stay well. I’m also very appreciative that I’ve built passive income businesses and that my work is all online so I can work remotely. It makes me realize how important it is to show others how to build multiple streams of income during these hard times.
From Sharon at Digital Nomad Quest.
19. The Ability to Cancel Trips And Not Be Out a Lot of Money
20. Being With Someone During This
21. That I Could Return Safely Home
22. So Thankful For Caregivers
23. The Ability to Connect Via Technology
24. Already Used to Working Together at Home
25. Online Classes
26. All This Extra Time Is One of the Things to be Thankful For
27. Heightened Appreciation For Past Travels
During all of this chaos, Chris and I have been really reminiscing and appreciating our past travels. 2019 was our biggest travel year yet with adventures in San Diego and a lesser-known California wine region, 10 days in Peru, some time in Paris, and even the most amazing time at the Christmas markets in Europe.
Even though we’re currently stuck at home in Cleveland, we’ve enjoyed talking about our past adventures and dreaming of new adventures to come.
We’ve canceled so many vacations and are mentally preparing ourselves to continue canceling through the summer. As a super-planner who plans trips years in advance, the anxiety of it all going out the window sucks.
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Kat is the founder and author of the World Wide Honeymoon blog. She has traveled to over 35 countries spanning 5 continents to find the most romantic, unique, and fun places for couples to enjoy time together. She creates in-depth itineraries, honeymoon guides, packing lists, and even travel budget guides (Kat’s a former accountant!). Kat has been blogging since 2017, giving honest opinions and tips from her experiences while traveling. Aside from this blog, she runs a podcast with her husband, Chris, called the World Wide Honeymoon Travel Podcast and a travel blog dedicated to France called France Voyager.
Dariece
Saturday 4th of April 2020
Thanks for featuring us!! All the best 😀
Kat
Monday 6th of April 2020
Thanks for participating and sharing some positivity!