When I started my 30-day gratitude experiment, I was looking for a way to spruce up my gratitude habit, which had gone stale. I wasn’t expecting much.
Certainly not what came next.
Over 30 days, I read and collected thousands of gratitude reflections posted on a shared Gratitude Wall by real people from all over the world: from Jordan to Brazil, from the U.S. to South Africa, from Russia to Australia, from Hong Kong to Sweden.
With my analytical background in consumer trends and studies in beauty and lifestyle, I naturally began to notice trends and patterns in the data.
What my now-ongoing experiment taught me became...
A purpose-driven scrolling on the phone, to put it simply.
No, seriously: there was a surprising sense of authenticity and connection that showed up when people shared about their lives without expecting validation or feedback. No likes, no comments, no addictive feedback loops.
Like one person put it: “Grateful for feeling connected to so many people all over the world when I read the wonderful things they are grateful for.”
So here’s what I learned.
The 3 biggest seasonal gratitude trends
from 30 Days, 1000+ reflections, and 40+ countries
1. Seasonal Weather Gratitude (Season’s Change)
People everywhere are tuning into the changing weather, reflecting on cooler mornings, autumn leaves, sounds of rain, and cozy sweater weather in the Northern Hemisphere; while in the Southern Hemisphere spring is beginning to show with “the first Hoya flower buds appearing,” a harbinger of spring in South Africa.
What this means: Weather becomes a canvas and a grounding force during busy or emotional holiday seasons. These micro-moments of presence are helping people rest and reset right now:
- “For the cozy feeling of blankets on cold mornings.”
- “Full moon baths at night.”
- “Unexpected sunshine.”
- “Cotton candy sunsets.”
- “A clear, fresh morning here in England with autumn taking hold.”
- “Changing leaves and the smell of damp earth.”
Seasonal insight: Weather is the #1 external regulator of people’s emotional states this time of year.
2. Connection & Belonging
The holidays activate strong feelings around family and friends, belonging, connection, and companionship. This includes gratitude for relationships, the health of loved ones, emotional support, and small acts of kindness.
Why this matters:
During the holidays, relationships become more visible (whether we like it or not) in both joy and vulnerability. People reflect on who supports them and who they want to be closer to.
Examples from the gratitude library:
- Grateful for my bestie, backyard lounging, porch visits, and farmer’s market joys — sunshine, sprouts, elderberry juice, veggies, and access to these resources.
- Friends who are like home
- The soft breathing of my puppy sleeping next to me.
- Spending time with my partner and dog in the morning.
- My daughter telling me she’s grateful I’m her dad.
- Being with mom.
- I am grateful for ironing my son’s clothes. Mobility is a blessing.
- Unconditional love from my dog.
Seasonal insight: This time of year amplifies our fundamental need for belonging and connection.
3. All-Around Coziness, Rest & Comfort (Seasonal slowing down)
People crave rest, warmth, coziness, and slow moments as the season cools.
This appears to be a major theme: slow mornings, remote work, warm drinks, blankets, quiet time, and nourishing routines.
Why this matters:
In colder months, the nervous system naturally shifts toward restoration and slows down to preserve energy. We gravitate more toward safety, comfort, and simplicity.
Examples:
- “Lighting a candle on a dark morning.”
- “Quiet, peaceful early mornings.”
- “Ginger tea and autumn leaves.”
- “I’m grateful for a warm house, good snacks and the playoffs.”
- “To be working from home.”
- “A day with no complaints.”
- “The smell of Cinnamon rolls.”
- “The sound of my cat’s gentle purr while I meditate.”
- “My chance to rest.”
- “Drinking coffee in the glory of early morning sunshine.
- “Starting the day with something special just for me.”
Special Shout-out: “For Chocolate. Therapy is good, too. Gratitude all around, but a special shout-out to chocolate 🍫”
Seasonal insight: Comfort becomes a coping mechanism and a source of joy as the year winds down.
How you can apply it
Try this: Pick one reflection from the themes above that resonates with you — a micro-joy, a simple pleasure, anything that gives you even the tiniest sense of support and renewal. Write it down and take a moment to reflect on it, maybe with a cup of your favorite tea or coffee.
Here are three prompts from each theme to get you started:
- One thing about the weather or environment you appreciated today.
- One small pleasure that brightened your day.
- One moment of connection that supported you today.
Meditation To Try: Rest to Rise
Another pattern I noticed in the gratitude reflections is how many people feel burnt out and long for rest.
This meditation is perfect for moments when you’re stretched thin, juggling too much, or feeling seasonal heaviness. It helps reset your nervous system and release tension layer by layer (ten percent at a time) so you can return to well-being whenever your energy runs low.
Bottom Line on Seasonal Trends in Gratitude
1. Nature is the biggest mood shifter.
Across 40+ countries, people named weather as their #1 lift: quiet mornings, soft afternoon sun, rain sounds, candy cotton sunsets, stars.
2. Comfort and connection matter most.
Warm drinks, cozy spaces, rest, pets, friends, and small acts of kindness beat all “big wins.” Simple support systems are the real foundation of gratitude this season.
3. Fall brings a longing for peace and renewal.
People are tired. Many mentioned burnout, healing, and “making it through the week.” Gratitude rises from tiny moments of ease, clarity, and emotional reset.
Subscribe to our weekly wellness newsletter:
As I mentioned, I started this Social Gratitude experiment to help myself build a lasting habit. And yes, it worked! It’s been 60 days and counting: 10-minute scroll on the wall + one post a day. It’s actually fun.
If you want to try this too, leave a comment and share something that made your day better.
Top photo by Natalie Goodwin on Pexels.
About the Author
Ollie is a California-based mindfulness meditation teacher with a globally-inspired practice. Formerly an ecommerce executive, she founded Meditate Mate and co-founded Inward VR, a mindfulness technology startup. Her down-to-earth approach to mental and physical wellness combines meditation, weightlifting, yoga, and surfing.
Leave a comment