Simple Gratitude
I think there’s a fine line between striving for more and being unable to recognise what’s already in front of us; between ambition and ingratitude. It’s a deeply personal and nuanced balance, and one that looks different for everyone.
Living in the UK, constant complaint has almost become a default setting in our society. It’s everywhere, and sadly contagious- I’ve been guilty of it too. But the truth is, the grass isn’t always greener. We convince ourselves that happiness lives somewhere else: near a beach, under palm trees, in a different climate or culture. Maybe that illusion holds for a few days or weeks. But even “paradise,” when stripped of novelty, eventually becomes ordinary. As the famous quote says: the grass is greener where we water it.
Nature is beautiful and essential to us as humans, but it isn’t a cure all. Happiness doesn’t live in geography; it lives in how we relate to ourselves and to others. What I think we’re missing most isn’t better scenery, but stronger community. And that’s something we actually have some control over.
This year, I want to complain less about the UK and make a conscious effort to be part of the solution; not in grand gestures, but in small, human ways. Saying hello to people on the street. Acknowledging shopkeepers. Asking someone if they need help. Picking up litter when it’s right there. Being involved in contributing and not complaining. Being mindful of driving manners. Being vocal about the things this country does offer that many others don’t.
These actions won’t make headlines or shift the economy, but they change the atmosphere. They create small ripples. And sometimes, that’s enough to interrupt the cycle: to remind someone else that maybe this place isn’t quite as bleak as we’ve collectively agreed it is. That we have opportunities and access others can only dream of. That the people here are helpful and if you can’t find one, be one. Be part of the solution, and inspire others to do the same.
It is a blessing and a joy to get on peacefully in your own home. To have a roof over your head, mind your own business, get on with your day as you choose and have access to a multitude of opportunities and choices. These are huge blessings we often take for granted because they don’t dazzle.
After travelling, I’ve realised how much we take for granted. Yes, things can be messy, and there are valid frustrations in the world. But there is still a lot of good that we should not forget; some of it easy to overlook because it’s quiet, practical, and structural rather than media visible or glamorous. This doesn’t give a free pass to ignore genuine issues, but having seen places where there is no safety, no opportunity, and no privacy to mind your own business, I’m more aware of what it means to live somewhere that may not dazzle, but counts where it matters.
It feels almost culturally accepted to hate on this country, and I’m exhausted by my own participation in that negative narrative. There’s a famous Kennedy line we should all reflect on: Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.
It’s not about loud patriotism. It’s about remembering that we’re not just passive observers of a place; we’re contributors to its tone, its kindness, its liveability.
Happiness isn’t somewhere else. It lives inside us, in the choices we decide to make and how we show up in the world. Carrying simple gratitude is the most powerful companion of all, no matter where you are there is always something to be hugely grateful for. Never forget it. Complain less, contribute more.