Be grateful to yourself when you feel out of place via /r/gratitude

(Para-phrased with ChatGPT through a voice note recorded while on a morning walk with my dog)

Lately, I’ve been thinking about that uncomfortable feeling of being out of place—whether it’s at a job, in a social circle, or even within yourself. And instead of resisting it, I’ve started trying something new: gratitude.

When you feel out of place, take a moment to thank yourself. Why?

Because it means one of two powerful things is happening:
1. You’ve gained the wisdom to recognize misalignment.
Sometimes we find ourselves in spaces we simply don’t belong in—not because we’re inadequate, but because we’ve outgrown them or they were never meant for us. Feeling out of place is your inner compass gently saying, “You deserve better.” That awareness alone is a gift.
2. You’ve stepped into growth.
Other times, you feel out of place because your mind, your ambition, or your curiosity led you somewhere unfamiliar. You’re in uncharted territory—and yes, it’s uncomfortable. But discomfort is a signal of change, and change is the soil where growth takes root.

So instead of judging yourself or wishing the feeling away, pause and say, “Thank you, self, for getting me here.” Whether you’re waking up to your own worth or standing at the edge of transformation, there’s a reason to be grateful.

Keep going. You’re not lost. You’re evolving. 💫