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This Battered Suitcase

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LifestyleOpinions

Why We Should be Thankful

written by Brenna Holeman October 14, 2014

Brenna in London

At the Wellcome Collection in London, UK

Yesterday was Canadian Thanksgiving. It has been a bit of a tradition to write on this blog every Thanksgiving; I did it here, when I had just moved to London, and in 2012, when I was in Peru, and in 2011, when I was on a road trip across North America. Yesterday’s Thanksgiving was my quietest one ever, with no visits from friends or family, and no traditional turkey dinner. With many texts and a few phone calls, I was still able to connect with these people, and, sitting alone in my flat eating a very ordinary dinner (albeit a “traditional” Canadian one, and by that I mean a box of Kraft Dinner mac and cheese), I realised that I didn’t feel sad or lonely. I felt quite the opposite.

And I couldn’t help but think of what I’m thankful for, even though I try to do that every day. I’m thankful for my job, my work towards my degree, my friends, my family, my health and the health of those I love. I’m thankful for this blog; not only is it my passion, it has led to so many amazing opportunities (including my recent trip to Cyprus). More than that, it has led to so many amazing friends, and the best community of people I could imagine. I am thankful for every comment, message, email, and share.

Vienna, Austria

With my sister Zalie in Vienna, Austria

Lonely Planet Bloggers

With other travel bloggers in London, UK

I still feel, even now at 30, that I am learning so much. What I’ve learned the most in my adult life is how to appreciate it all, to not take it for granted. Though I feel that I’ve always been quite appreciative of the things in my life, I’ve learned, more than ever before, to be thankful for everything, big or small. I’ve learned that with gratitude comes happiness and peace – and that sometimes, for no explicable reason, these feelings can change. I try to appreciate even those moments of stress and sadness, to turn them into strength.

All of this sounds annoyingly cheesy, I know. I didn’t really used to believe that merely thinking something – thinking of how thankful I am or thinking myself to happiness – would work. But I’ve had a lot of long, lonely days while on the road, and even since moving to London on my own. I knew that if I didn’t change my perspective on life, I could wallow in self-pity, or worse, blame somebody else for my unhappiness or loneliness.

And on an even deeper level, I’m thankful for putting myself in the position of being alone, of potentially being lonely. I’m thankful for being scared, for forcing myself to try new things, for not accepting a stagnant, stationary life.  I’m thankful for the blood, sweat, and tears (and money, and more tears, and more money) that it took to be able to lead the kind of life where travel isn’t merely a dream, but a tangible thing, an achievable thing. I’m thankful for the chance to look at a map and point to a faraway place and be able to think, “Maybe I’ll go there someday.” I’m thankful for that freedom, and I am thankful for appreciating just how lucky I am.

Lonely Planet Book

 I’ve got the whole world in my hands… in theory

I imagine that many of you are travellers as well, or people who (I hope) have travel in their futures. And that – on more than just Thanksgiving, but on every day – is why we should be thankful. The more of the world I’ve seen, the more I realise how very few of us have that opportunity. I am thankful for that opportunity every day, and I hope that you are, too.

One day late, but with the spirit of the day the same, Happy Thanksgiving. Regardless if you’re Canadian or not, what are you thankful for?

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Brenna Holeman

Brenna Holeman has travelled to over 100 countries in the past 15 years, many of them solo. She's a big fan of whisky and window seats.

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Adventures of the Burmese Bicycle Gang (Part One)
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The Best Food in Nicosia, Cyprus

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21 comments

Ali October 14, 2014 - 7:46 pm

I’m very thankful we met under Big Man 5 years ago… Beautiful post as always. Happy Thanksgiving darling xx

Reply
Brenna Holeman October 15, 2014 - 12:48 am

I’m so thankful for that, too! xx

Reply
Ashley | Ashley October 14, 2014 - 7:55 pm

I loved this post! I agree that practicing gratitude is so powerful and it has made such a difference in my life. Happy belated Thanksgiving!

Reply
Brenna Holeman October 15, 2014 - 12:49 am

Thank you, Ashley! I’m glad that you feel the same way.

Reply
Magne October 15, 2014 - 12:10 pm

Great post!

There are a few things in life I’m not too happy about. I kind of dislike my job, I’m not very succesful at making a family on my own (no luck with women…). Sometimes all my negative thoughts dominate, and I push all the “good” thoughts away. If bad thoughts win over the good ones, depression kicks in.

But I have many things to be thankful about, and I work on being more appreciative. I have good friends, a stable and safe job. I am rarely sick, have my own apartment etc. And most important: I GET TO TRAVEL! I have always been a “smart” traveller , even when I had no money. I always get cheap flights, find the local cheap places to eat where it’s easier to meet the locals etc. People always ask how I can afford my travels, but if I spend my money wisely, I can afford going pretty much everywhere I want, even with the relatively average income I have. I try to spend money on local businesses when possible.
When I travel I am ALWAYS thankful that I can do this, most people in this world don’t have the opportunity to travel. I kind of won the lottery when I was born in a rich country. I have no reason to feel miserable anytime really, I’ve been so incredibly lucky.

“The more of the world I’ve seen, the more I realise how very few of us have that opportunity. I am thankful for that opportunity every day”

I could not agree more!

Reply
Brenna Holeman October 16, 2014 - 11:37 pm

Thank you so much for this awesome comment, Magne – it sounds like we have similar views on travelling and gratitude! I really think it’s important to always remember how special travelling is, and that it is something never to take for granted.

Thanks again!

Reply
Thanks Everyone, for the Last 6 Weeks - VickyFlipFlopTravels October 16, 2014 - 9:37 am

[…] I am that they are. Inspired by the climax that is a 30th birthday, and by my Canadian friend Brenna’s Thanksgiving ode, I thought I’d just get all my appreciative thoughts down and share them around to celebrate […]

Reply
Camille October 17, 2014 - 12:52 am

This is beautiful.

I feel like I’ve been in a such a state of dissatisfaction lately, it’s time for a perspective change. Though I may not travel as often as I’d like, I travel a lot more than most people have the opportunity or desire to. I’m grateful for the passion that makes me want to see every inch of this world.

Reply
Brenna Holeman October 17, 2014 - 1:46 am

Thank you, Camille. It is hard when we get into those states of dissatisfaction, but I really do try to reflect on the good things in my life and be grateful for them. I agree that being grateful for the passion to travel is also really wonderful. Here’s hoping you get to travel soon!

Reply
Anna @ shenANNAgans October 17, 2014 - 4:37 am

What a beautiful post. I love that I am surrounded by amazing people all over the world who are grateful for the lives they are living. I’m super grateful for the most amazing Peking duck & escargot risotto the chefs I work with made me for lunch. Life’s good! Here’s Cheers and Happy Friday! 🙂

Reply
Brenna Holeman October 17, 2014 - 11:12 am

Life is indeed good! I’m glad that you are also happy and living the life you want. And that sounds like an incredible lunch…

Reply
Mélissa October 17, 2014 - 10:35 am

I’m thankful to have discovered your blog. You made me understand that the life I’ve always wanted to live is possible, and I have no words to say how thankful I am for that !
I wish you all the happiness in the world,
Méli

Reply
Brenna Holeman October 17, 2014 - 11:08 am

Wow, what an amazing thing to say! Thank you so much, that is wonderful. I wish you all the happiness (and all the adventure) in the world, too!

Reply
Glamourous Traveller October 24, 2014 - 4:19 am

Very sweet. I do find it important to be thankful for this amazing life that we live. For the roof over my head and the food in my belly and most importantly for how lucky I am to live the life that I do. That’s the most important thing of all I believe… to not take this wonderful life for granted.

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

Reply
Brenna Holeman October 24, 2014 - 10:11 am

I agree – I try to never take life for granted! Thank you for your nice comment. 🙂

Reply
Foreign Geek October 27, 2014 - 7:47 am

Happy belated Thanksgiving Brenna! I couldn’t agree more with your words. I am thankful for everything in my life. My parents, education, relationships, bad past relationships, travels, internet, apple cider and I can go on and on..

Reply
Brenna Holeman October 27, 2014 - 12:07 pm

Thank you so much! What a great attitude to have. Happy belated Thanksgiving to you, too!

Reply
Sky November 5, 2014 - 4:11 am

Beautiful post, Brenna. I try really hard to take time to be thankful every day – it feels cheesy and awkward sometimes but it’s so easy to overlook the positive things.

Reply
Brenna Holeman November 5, 2014 - 11:23 am

I agree – it can feel a bit strange sometimes, but I think it’s so important to give thanks in whatever way you’re comfortable!

Reply
Zalie Holeman November 9, 2014 - 6:14 am

This is such a wonderful post…I am so blessed and thankful to have you in my life sister xoxo

Reply
Brenna Holeman November 9, 2014 - 3:46 pm

Thank you so much, I feel exactly the same… xoxo

Reply

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About Me

About Me

Hi, I'm Brenna

My name is Brenna Holeman and I drink a lot of whisky. No, wait. That’s not how I want to start. After travelling to more than 100 countries over the past 15 years, many of them solo, I tend to write about travel a lot, but I write about other things, too: getting dumped, buying way too much jewellery, and yeah, OK, whisky (none of those things are related, I swear). You’ll find a mix of advice, opinion pieces, and stories on this blog, but either way, I hope to make you want to read more. And up next? I'm about to become a single mom to a beautiful baby boy, the biggest solo adventure I've ever been on. For more about me and what you'll find on This Battered Suitcase, click here .

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Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life." - Jack Kerouac

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This Battered Suitcase is not only about the where and the how of travel, it's about the who and the why.

Originally from Canada, all I've ever wanted to do is travel. After eleven years of solo travel and over 90 countries, I'm currently living in London and fulfilling my other dream of becoming a writer. If I'm not travelling, I'm writing about it, either for my blog, my job, or my book. I firmly believe there is adventure everywhere, so long as you keep your eyes (and your mind, and your heart) open. Join me as I continue to look for these adventures. Hopefully you'll find your own, too.

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