THIS THANKSGIVING… SAY “THANK YOU, ME”
Reflect. Celebrate. Repeat.
“Every act is a way of saying ‘thank you’ to yourself and strengthening the habit of self-gratitude.”
This October, give thanks to the person who always shows up for you: you!
You’ve hit goals, overcome obstacles, and celebrated wins—from career milestones to personal accomplishments. You’ve cared for your mental and physical health, showing up for yourself every day.
This month, celebrate yourself, reflect on your wins, and say: “Thank you, me, for being me and for everything I’ve done to get here”.
Try these self-gratitude practices—pick what works for you.
Reflect and Celebrate
Grab a notebook, journal, or use a notes app.
Step 1: Reflect on 5 areas
Relationships – connections that nurture you
Career & achievements – promotions, awards, projects, skills you’ve mastered, entrepreneurship
Personal growth – times you showed resilience, learned something new, overcame a challenge
Self-care & wellness – habits, routines, and choices that support your mental and physical health
Experiences – trips, hobbies, new experiences, celebrations
Step 2: For each category, ask yourself:
What am I proud of?
What did I overcome?
What did I learn?
Step 3: Write down at least 3–5 things you’re grateful for in each category. Review your lists—say thank you for every time you showed up.
Appreciate Your Body
Even if you don’t always love every inch, take a few minutes to appreciate what your body does every day. Your body is your home.
Try this: List 9 things you appreciate about your body. Examples:
I love my hair because…it’s strong and healthy.
I love my skin because…that melanin tho!
I love my hips because…
I love my smile because…
Tip: Do this weekly—it’s like a mini confidence workout.
Podcast Recommendation:
Therapy for Black Girls: a weekly show hosted by Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, covering mental health, personal growth, and practical tips to help you show up for yourself.
“Yes Day” for Yourself
Dedicate a day—or a few hours—to saying yes to yourself. Choose activities that bring pleasure, rest, and joy—pleasure in moderation is healthy.
Neuroscience-backed benefits:
Activates the brain’s dopamine system -> reinforcing self-care habits.
Lowers cortisol levels, activates the parasympathetic nervous system -> reduces stress
Prioritizing yourself strengthens neural pathways tied to motivation and self-worth.
Quick ideas:
Book a spa day
Epsom salt bath
Plan a mini “taste test” night: try 3–5 small snacks or drinks you’ve never had.
Take a day trip somewhere within an hour of home.
Eat a delicious dessert
Cozy up with a book or watch a movie.
BOOKS RECOMMENDATIONS
MOVIE RECOMMENDATIONS
7-Day Self Gratitude Boost
Kick off a week of self-appreciation:
Day 1 – Write about 1 challenge you overcame and what it taught you.
Day 2 – Write down 2 achievements from the past week.
Day 3 – Write down 3 ways you’ve shown up for yourself this month.
Day 4 – List 4 things you love about your smile and face.
Day 5 – List 5 ways your body supports you daily (breathing, moving, thinking, creating).
Day 6 – List 6 things you love about your personality.
Day 7 – List your top 7 strengths (physical, mental, or emotional).
10-Minute Memory Gratitude (and declutter)
Spend 10 minutes a week scrolling photos/videos. Pause on what makes you smile, relive the moment, delete clutter.
Why it works: Science shows this “mental time travel” boosts positive emotions, releases feel-good dopamine, and strengthens gratitude.
The benefit: In 10 minutes, notice life’s small joys and declutter your digital space.
Safety Tips for a Spook-tacular Halloween
These tips keep kids safe while trick-or-treating, whether with adults or friends:
Kids under 12 should be supervised
Wear reflective costumes or add glow sticks/reflective tape to darker colours.
Use masks that don’t block vision or opt for non-toxic face paint.
Check candy for allergies or tampering.
Without adult supervision:
Go with a buddy or in a group.
Never enter a home.
Carry a charged phone.
Set boundaries: curfew, trick-or-treat route, and check-ins.
Stay on sidewalks, well-lit streets, and only visit well-lit homes.
This month is about reflecting and appreciating yourself for all that you do, for you. From celebrating achievements to indulging in simple pleasures, every act is a way of saying ‘thank you’ to yourself and strengthening the habit of self-gratitude.
Mark your calendar for these October events:
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12:00pm - 2:30pm
Whitby Public Library - Central Library, 405 Dundas Street West Whitby, ON
FREE
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10:00am - 3:00pm
Parkwood Estate National Historic Site, 270 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON
FREE
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7:00pm - 10:00pm
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts, & Culture, 78 Church Street. South, Ajax ON
FREE
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6:00pm - 8:30pm
Toronto Public Library - Toronto Reference Library - Beeton Hall, 789 Yonge Street Toronto
FREE
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12:00pm - 7:00pm
Audley Recreation Centre | Community Hall | Entrance C1955 Audley Road, Ajax, ON, L1Z 1V6Canada
FREE
2025 2-Day Holiday Pop-up Market
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Sunday, December 7, 2025
12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Audley Recreation Centre | Community Hall | Entrance C | 1955 Audley RoadAjax, ON, L1Z 1V6 Canada (map)
Get your holiday shopping done all in one place at our 2-day Holiday Pop-Up Market! With over 60 local vendors, this is your chance to find unique gifts, seasonal must-haves, and one-of-a-kind items you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you're checking off your gift list or just getting started, this market makes holiday shopping easy and enjoyable!
Bring the whole family along and make a day of it! Enjoy great music, tasty food vendors, a photo booth, face painting, and a fun kids’ zone to keep little ones entertained while you shop. It’s festive, convenient, and full of holiday cheer… everything you need to kick off the season right.
written by Nickisha RASHID