It’s October, folks, and while we Canadians are getting busy and gearing up for that glorious long weekend of stuffing our faces with turkey and mashed potatoes (I’m already in jogging bottoms in preparation), I’ve got a little challenge for you. Yes, you, reading this while debating whether or not you can justify pie for breakfast. Spoiler: you absolutely can.
Thanksgiving is creeping up fast, but here’s the kicker—what if we didn’t wait for one single weekend to express our gratitude? What if we made this whole “being grateful” thing a year-round event? Like, why reserve it for just one meal and a couple of polite conversations over pumpkin pie? What if, instead of apologising our way through life, we started dishing out some gratitude instead? Oh yes, this is a gratitude revolution, and I’m leading the charge!
The Canadian Apology Syndrome
We Canadians (I am part Brit & Canadian) are pros at saying sorry. If it were an Olympic sport, we'd take home the gold medal every single time. Stub your toe on my grocery cart? "Sorry!" You show up late? "Sorry!" Someone sneezes? "Sorry!" (Okay, that one’s 
exaggerated... or is it?) But here’s the truth bomb of the day: saying sorry all the time is a buzzkill. It’s like walking around with a permanent raincloud over your head, constantly reminding yourself—and others—of all the things going wrong.
So, what’s the alternative? Simple: say “thank you” instead.
Next time you're about to apologise for something as mundane as showing up five minutes late for coffee, try this instead: “Thank you for waiting.” Doesn’t that sound better? It shifts the entire vibe from "I’m a terrible person" to "Wow, you’re awesome for being patient." It’s like you’re flipping the script, turning what could’ve been a negative moment into an opportunity to shine that gratitude spotlight. And let’s be real, who doesn’t love basking in a little appreciation?
Grateful is the New Sorry
Okay, picture this: you’ve rolled into a meeting, running a little behind because your cat decided today was the day to sit on your laptop (true story, I have pictures). Normally, you’d slink in with your tail between your legs, muttering an apologetic “Sorry, I’m late.” But not today, my friend. Today, you strut in with confidence and say, “Thank you all for being so patient!” Boom. You’ve gone from “Oh no, I messed up” to “I’m owning this, and you’re all so fabulous.”
It’s the ultimate power move. Not only are you acknowledging the situation, but you’re also lifting everyone else up in the process. Plus, gratitude is contagious! Once you start, you’ll notice people around you catching the thankfulness bug. Suddenly, you’re in this warm, fuzzy cycle of positivity, and let me tell you, it beats the trousers off the “Sorry Spiral of Doom.”
Let’s Talk Turkey... and Gratitude
Since Thanksgiving is just around the corner (and I can practically smell the gravy), now’s the perfect time to reflect on what we’re grateful for. But here’s the twist: this year, don’t stop at being thankful for the big things, like family, health, and, of course, pie (I’m not a pumpkin pie kinda girl but I absolutely love sweet potato pie) Let’s get creative and stretch those gratitude muscles. Start appreciating the small, weird, and wonderful things in your life. Like:
- The moment when you realise your socks are actually a matching pair.
- That one barista who always spells your name correctly on your coffee cup.
- Finding a parking spot right by the entrance of the grocery store (cue hallelujah chorus).
- Your Wi-Fi magically working after you’ve hit the router in a fit of desperation.
You see, gratitude doesn’t have to be a grand, sweeping gesture. It can be the tiny, often-overlooked moments that we take for granted every single day. And once you start noticing these little gems, you’ll wonder how you ever lived in a world where “sorry” was your go-to.
The "Sorry to Gratitude" Swap Guide
Look, I get it. Habits are hard to break, especially when it comes to apologising for things that don’t really need an apology. After moving to Canada from London, England it was one of the first things I noticed – Canadians are super nice (yay) but they apologise for everything, even if it's not their fault. Very soon, I was on the same bandwagon which now as I write this blog, seems completely ludicrous.
But I’m here to help. Consider this your Sorry-to-Gratitude Swap Guide, so the next time you catch yourself mid-sorry, you can effortlessly shift gears into thankfulness.
- Instead of: “Sorry I’m late.” Try: “Thank you for waiting for me.”
- Instead of: “Sorry, this is such a mess.” Try: “Thank you for your patience while I sort this out.”
- Instead of: “Sorry, I talk too much.” Try: “Thank you for listening.”
- Instead of: “Sorry for bothering you.” Try: “Thank you for taking the time to help me.”
- Instead of: “Sorry, I forgot.” Try: “Thank you for the reminder.”
You see where I’m going with this? Every apology can be flipped into an opportunity to show gratitude. It’s not about denying that you might have made a mistake or been a bit late — it’s about acknowledging that and choosing to focus on the positive outcome. Your lateness becomes their patience. Your mess becomes their understanding. Your forgetfulness becomes their gentle reminder. It’s a win-win!
Gratitude is a Lifestyle, Not a Holiday
Sure, Thanksgiving is absolutely fabulous and awesome. I mean, who doesn’t love a day off from work and love gathering around a table full of delicious food with the people you (hopefully) love? But let’s not limit this grateful vibe to one weekend. Life is messy, unpredictable, and often downright chaotic. If we can find ways to sprinkle gratitude into the every day, I promise you, the world will feel a whole lot lighter.
Instead of stressing over every little thing that goes wrong (because, spoiler alert, things will go wrong all the time), let’s start celebrating the things that go right. Start small. 
Thank the universe for that first sip of coffee or chai in the morning. Be grateful that your trousers still fit after that second helping of Thanksgiving mash potatoes (my favourite). Appreciate your dog for being the best furry alarm clock you never asked for.
Before you know it, you’ll be swimming in gratitude, and guess what? People will notice. They’ll feel it. And you’ll be like a walking, talking beam of sunshine in a world that desperately needs a little more light.
A Final Note: Gobble Up the Gratitude
So, as we head into Thanksgiving (and beyond), let’s ditch the apologies and start handing out thank-you’s like candy on Halloween. Swap your sorrys for gratitude, and watch how it transforms not just your own mindset but the energy of everyone around you. Because the truth is, we’ve all got something to be grateful for, even if it’s just matching socks or perfectly cooked turkey.
Thank you for reading this, and thank you for being absolutely fabulous. Now go out there and spread some gratitude like gravy on mashed potatoes—generously and with pure joy!
