Gratitude is a great ability. Being able to see the grace and the gift in every situation (being a bit Pollyanna, in other words) is the way to get through those dark, dank moments in your life.

One online source describes gratitude as “the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.”. Who wouldn’t want that? Appreciating what you have, with the concurrent ability not to look at what other people have and be envious, means you can be satisfied, can feel like you have enough however much you have. This does rely, of course, on having enough to be grateful. Enough to eat well every day, enough to be warm, enough to have a home to call your own, whether that’s a rented room or a purchased penthouse, enough to be an independent person, happy with themselves and free from the need to be more just to impress others.

How to show your appreciation? Gratitude journals have been big business for a while. Recording just one or two things a day or a week that you are content with increases your contentment with those things. I love seeing posts full of gratitude on Facebook, seeing what people truly love and appreciate. Big hint: once your basic needs are covered, it’s not usually stuff. Keeping a diary, writing a list, starting a wall, however you keep your gratitude front and centre, it is a good feeling

And then you spread it on. What are you most grateful for? How can you help others get that gift? Find a charity compatible with your list and donate to them. If you love your safe family, donate to your local refuge centre, if pets are your best friend, donate to the local animal care charity, if you love your children then find a children’s charity nearby.

No money? Then sort out some old belongings and donate to charity shops. Hold an event, like a sponsored present wrap for your friends (only do that if you actually enjoy wrapping presents, obviously) or if you really want to do something physical, then volunteer time and energy to go to a place and do something. A volunteer website like https://do-it.org/ can match you with your perfect volunteering opportunity, or try a local group like Women’s Institute or Rotary for advice or ideas. Everyn little action helps someone else feel gratitude, and that must be good for the world, mustn’t it?

I have a massive favour to ask….

I don’t monetise my blog. I don’t run adverts, take sponsorship for writing posts or use affiliate links. I want everything I do on this blog and in my hygge life outside to be truthful. If I promote a book it’s because I’ve read it and like it, if I  point out an item it’s because it’s impressed me on its own merits and not because the publicist has talked me into it. It does mean I don’t run giveaways and I’m not chasing followers, but the drawback is that I need to find a way to support myself.

That’s why I write books. My thoughts are that if I ask you to buy a book not only does it support me, and let me keep writing as an independent writer, but you get something back for your bucks. I’ve written several books, some on hygge, some on Christmas. If you like what you read here, or in the Hygge Nook, and you’d like to support a struggling writer, would you please consider buying a book? Ebooks give you the best value, since for 2 or 3 pounds you get the content of the book, but I’d be a pretty poor writer if I didn’t appreciate the beauty of a real book in the hand. If you buy just one book, it all adds up in the end to support me, and I’d be so grateful.

I have three Christmas books,

Have Yourself a Happy Hygge Christmas was released in September 2017 and is available again in paperback and ebook version. It looks at keeping the Christmas season warm and cosy, with ideas for activities and routines to keep Christmas happy.

A (Hygge) Christmas Carol is my look at Dickens’ immortal classic and the many lessons we still learn from it today. It contains the full text of the book as well as hyggely thoughts on the story.

Enjoying a Self Care Christmas is only available in ebook version. It’s about keeping Christmas simple enough and healthy enough to keep you sane in the process.

My other books are hygge related, 50 Ways to Hygge the British Way  was my first book, and is available in Paperback and Kindle version. It’s a simple look at ways to feel more hyggely in life and at home even though we’re not Danish and don’t have it in our DNA.

How to Hygge Your Summer, in Paperback and Kindle form, has lots of good ideas for the summer months. I strongly believe that hygge is so much more than throws and warm drinks.

Happier is my fourth book. It’s about how I boost my own happiness levels. It’s full of hints, tips and ideas for you to use and adapt to suit your own situation. It is available in ebook and paperback version from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com.

If you buy any of the books through the links on this page, I get a couple of extra pence per copy, in Amazon vouchers which go towards buying more books to review for the blog. I’d really love it if you’d support me monetarily, but I quite understand that cash is tight for many people, and I just love having your support via reading and commenting as well.