How a Shorter Week Impacts Anxiety and Imposter Syndrome (and How Gratitude Can Help)

Thanksgiving week can be a beautiful time of connection and reflection, but it can also bring added pressure. With a shorter workweek, many of us feel like we need to cram five days’ worth of productivity into just a few. Deadlines loom larger, to-do lists grow longer, and the expectations we place on ourselves can feel overwhelming.

For those of us who struggle with anxiety or imposter syndrome, this can trigger a spiral of self-doubt. You might find yourself worrying that you’re not doing enough or fearing that others will judge your performance. It’s easy to lose sight of your value and get stuck in a cycle of stress.

This is where gratitude comes in.

Gratitude isn’t just about feeling warm and fuzzy—it’s a powerful tool for grounding yourself and shifting your perspective. When you practice gratitude, you’re actively training your brain to focus on what’s working instead of what’s not. This shift can help reduce anxiety and quiet that inner critic fueled by imposter syndrome.

Here are three gratitude practices to help you navigate this week with more calm and confidence:

1. Practice Gratitude with the GLAD Technique
The GLAD acronym is a simple and effective way to reflect on your day:

G: What are you grateful for today?
L: What did you learn today?
A: What did you accomplish today?
D: What delighted you today?

Why it’s valuable:
This practice helps you focus on the positive aspects of your day, even if they seem small. It shifts your attention away from what you didn’t do and highlights what went well. By acknowledging your accomplishments and moments of joy, you’re giving yourself permission to celebrate your efforts instead of dwelling on perceived shortcomings. In addition because it’s a different way of looking at gratitude, it might feel more genuine.

2. Recognize Value in Relationships
Take a moment to reflect on how you provided value to someone this week or how someone else provided value to you. Maybe you offered a kind word, helped a colleague meet a deadline, or supported a friend. Or perhaps someone showed you appreciation or helped lighten your load.

Why it’s valuable:
Imposter syndrome often makes us feel like we don’t measure up or that we’re not making an impact. By identifying these moments, you’re reminding yourself that your presence and actions matter. It also strengthens your sense of connection, which can be a powerful antidote to feelings of inadequacy.

3. Dig Deeper into Gratitude
Write down one thing you’re grateful for and list three reasons why. For example, you might write: “I’m grateful for my supportive team because 1. They encourage me, 2. They help me grow, 3. They make work enjoyable.”

Why it’s valuable:
This practice goes beyond surface-level gratitude by encouraging you to reflect on why something matters to you. It deepens your appreciation and reinforces the positive emotions associated with it. This can be especially grounding when anxiety or self-doubt starts to creep in.

Putting It All Together
Practicing gratitude doesn’t take much time, but it can have a big impact. It helps you slow down, focus on the present, and acknowledge your worth. As you navigate this busy week, remember that you don’t have to prove yourself by doing more. You’re already enough.

If you’re looking for more support on managing anxiety and imposter syndrome, join my Facebook group, Beyond the Imposter. Together, we explore tools and techniques to help you feel more confident and in control—so you can thrive, not just survive.

This Thanksgiving, focus on gratitude, balance, and giving the grace we deserve. How could living with gratitude help you throughout this week?

Ready to Take the Next Step?
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