The Overlooked Everyday: We often take for granted the simple things in life.

We don’t mean to do it.

But we all take things for granted. People, routines, little freedoms we don’t even notice until they’re gone. And most of the time, it’s not because we’re careless or ungrateful. It’s because life moves fast, and we’re doing our best to keep up.

We assume what’s working will keep working. That the people around us will always show up. That our bodies will do what they’ve always done. Until suddenly, without warning, one or more of those things stops. Or slows down. Or needs time to heal.

And that’s when we see it: all the things we never really saw.

What I Can’t Do (Right Now)

Recovering from shoulder surgery has revealed just how many everyday things I’ve relied on without realizing it. Things like putting my hair in a ponytail, opening a bottle of wine, or carrying a bag of groceries from the car in one trip. Those aren’t big moments, but they are moments I’ve never really thought about until suddenly, I couldn’t do them anymore.

Right now, my non-dominant arm is in a sling. And still, the limitations are everywhere. I can’t lift my arm above my head, I can’t throw on a sweatshirt or wash my hair without assistance, I have to plan out simple tasks like getting dressed, because if it doesn’t button down the front, it’s not happening. Even buttoning things takes longer than it should, especially with one hand. Not impossible, but hard. And kind of frustrating.

I’ve had to adjust everything—what I wear, how I move, even how I sleep. Do you know how often we use both arms without thinking about it? Pulling up your pants, carrying a purse, loading the dishwasher, tucking in your shirt. All of it suddenly feels like a strategy game. What used to be second nature now feels like solving a puzzle one-handed, every hour of the day.

Who’s Stepped In

But here’s what else it’s brought into focus: how lucky I am.

Because while I may be limited, I’m far from alone.

My husband has been a trooper. He wakes up early to help me get dressed, makes sure I have what I need, and never once makes me feel like I’m asking too much. He’s just there. Quietly helping. Steady and dependable, even when the little things take twice as long as they used to.

I actually texted him yesterday just to say thank you. I told him how much I appreciated all his help and how hard he’s been working. He immediately called me and said, “Are you okay?” That pretty much told me everything I needed to know. I clearly don’t thank him nearly enough if a simple act of gratitude sets off alarm bells.

My daughter has taken over as my personal hairstylist. Every morning, she comes in to put my hair in a ponytail. It’s one of those things I never thought I’d need help with, and now I look forward to that two-minute moment of her standing behind me, doing something kind without needing to say much at all.

And my other kids who are currently home? They’ve stepped up too. Helping with laundry. Bringing me coffee. Carrying things I can’t. Sure, there’s the occasional eye roll or dramatic sigh, but honestly, they’ve been incredibly helpful. I’ve watched them jump in without being asked, and even when it’s not done with a big smile, it’s still done with heart. They’ve shown up in all the small ways that matter, and I really appreciate it.

The Things I Miss, and See Clearly Now

This experience has made me see more clearly.

Not just what I’m missing, but what I’ve had all along.

The ability to get dressed without help.
The strength to carry everything in one armload.
The ease of movement, the independence, the control over my day.
The family around me who shows up without needing to be asked.
The body that, on most days, just works.

And friendships. The check-ins, the “how are you really doing?” texts, the people who show up in small but steady ways, even just to make you laugh or remind you that you’re still you. I’ve realized how often I’ve let time or busyness make me complacent, assuming those connections would always be there. But relationships need tending. Even the strong ones. Especially the strong ones.

We take so much for granted when things are working. We assume we’ll always be able to roll out of bed, grab our coffee, and move through the day with ease. But when that ease disappears, even temporarily, it rewires the way we see everything.

Suddenly, lifting a plate becomes an act of strength. Getting through a shower feels like a win. Wearing a shirt you actually like? A luxury.

What If We Didn’t Wait?

What if we didn’t wait until something broke, or changed, or disappeared, to appreciate what we have?

You might be able to do a dozen things today that someone else can’t. You might wake up, stretch both arms above your head, throw your hair up, button your shirt, grab your coffee, and head out the door without giving it a second thought. But that ease, that freedom, that normalcy?

It’s worth noticing. And it’s worth appreciating.

And not just once. Not just on Thanksgiving or after a crisis or during a quiet moment at the end of the year. Every day. Even in the messy ones. Especially in the messy ones.

Practicing Everyday Gratitude

I’ve learned that gratitude doesn’t always show up with fireworks. Sometimes it looks like quietly noticing what’s already working. What’s already good. Who’s already there.

Gratitude isn’t always loud. It doesn’t always require a journal entry or a photo-worthy moment. Sometimes it sounds like a whispered “thank you” under your breath while you watch someone you love do something kind. Or a pause in the middle of a frustrating day when you remind yourself, even now, there’s still something beautiful here.

We often talk about gratitude like it’s a mindset. And it is. But it’s also a practice. A habit. A lens we choose, over and over again, especially when it would be easier not to.

A Question for You

So today, I’m trying to say thank you more. To myself, to my family, to my body, to the simple rhythms of the day that I never realized I’d miss.

It’s not about guilt or regret. It’s about awareness. About seeing clearly.

About realizing that a ponytail, a hug, a glass of wine, or a buttoned-up shirt might be more meaningful than we thought.

So let me ask you something.
What do you take for granted?
Not as a judgment, but as an invitation.

What’s something you usually rush through, overlook, or forget to be thankful for?

Who in your life shows up quietly, but consistently?

What part of your day feels small, but is actually a privilege?

And when you start to answer those questions, what might shift?

The Shift That Stays

For me, the shift has been powerful. Not because life is easy right now. It’s not. But because this new awareness has made even the hard parts feel a little more sacred.

I can’t wait to do the things I used to do so easily. But I hope I never again forget how special those things really are.