It’s Okay If You Can’t Give Them Gratitude Now

Have you ever been in a difficult situation where you went through something tough, and someone has helped you along the way? But when all was said and done, you couldn't bring yourself around to express gratitude to them?

We've all been there.

Sometimes this happens because we want to move on from that time or experience. Other times it's because the help we received wasn't the help we really wanted.

It's okay if you feel like this. It takes time for some gratitude to be fully developed. For example, the help you received may not have been the kind of help you wanted. At that moment, you may not feel very grateful, but you "know" you should be. If you sit on this gratitude, over time, you will understand just how impactful that help was. Time will help you see that it was exactly what you needed.

The same is true for the cases where you don't want to bring the situation back up because it was either uncomfortable, embarrassing, or both. Over time you'll be able to reflect on the moment and see just how selfless the person who helped you was. With time comes a deeper appreciation, and with some distance from the event, you'll be able to eventually bring it back up and thank the person for their kindness.

A step you can take now if it doesn't feel right to pay your gratitude back is to pay your gratitude forward. You can pay your gratitude forward to a stranger, a friend, or a family member. Whether you pay for someone's meal or lend them a helping hand, paying your gratitude forward is an excellent way to continue the cycle of gratitude.

Know that it's okay if you can't give someone gratitude now. Take your time. But for now, try paying your gratitude forward and see what happens; I promise you'll be thanking us later.