The year 2025 has been etched into collective memory as a profoundly challenging period for Türkiye in many respects. Accidents and losses, economic hardship, political uncertainty, developments undermining the sense of justice, and disaster-like events that deeply affected the collective psyche placed a significant strain on individuals’ psychological resilience. During such times, the human mind often oscillates between two extremes: becoming fixated on the past or losing itself in anxieties about the future, thereby overlooking the present moment. Yet psychological well-being lies precisely between these two poles, in the ability to notice and experience the present. At this point, gratitude emerges as one of the most important internal resources supporting psychological well-being. Gratitude helps redirect attention away from uncertainty and anxiety toward the resources available in the present, fostering a healthier connection with the here and now and strengthening the capacity to recognize what still exists even under challenging conditions.
Human nature tends to struggle with contentment. The desire for more, constant comparison with others, and the feeling of “not being enough” are among the most common psychological traps of modern life. As highlighted by Social Comparison Theory, individuals’ subjective well-being decreases as they engage more frequently in comparisons with others (Festinger, 1954). This tendency makes it difficult for individuals to recognize the progress they have made and to appreciate their past achievements. Gratitude, however, plays a crucial role in breaking this cycle by shifting attention from perceived deficiencies to existing strengths and resources.
From a psychological perspective, one’s relationship with time extends beyond productivity or planning skills. Time perception is closely related to where individuals direct their mental focus. A mind constantly oriented toward future goals may overlook past challenges that have already been overcome, as well as the small yet meaningful moments offered by the present. Similarly, an excessive focus on the past can weaken motivation for growth and forward movement. Psychological well-being resides in the ability to consciously direct attention to the present moment while learning from the past and maintaining hope for the future. This state of awareness allows individuals to recognize positive daily experiences more clearly and to feel gratitude for them.
Gratitude is one of the core components of positive psychology. Research has shown that regular gratitude practices reduce depressive symptoms and enhance life satisfaction and hope (Emmons & McCullough, 2003). Moreover, individuals with a higher disposition toward gratitude not only cope more effectively with stressful life events but also experience greater enjoyment in life and more frequent positive emotions (Wood, Froh, & Geraghty, 2010). Fredrickson’s (2001) broaden-and-build theory further suggests that positive emotions such as gratitude expand individuals’ thought–action repertoires and, over time, build enduring psychological resources. In this sense, gratitude is not merely a consequence of feeling good, but an active psychological process that nurtures psychological well-being.
Labeling adverse life events solely as “negative experiences” eliminates opportunities for learning and growth. The psychiatric and psychotherapeutic literature emphasizes that when traumatic or highly stressful experiences are meaningfully processed, they may foster psychological growth (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004). Every lived experience serves as feedback regarding the individual’s relationship with the self and with life. Recognizing and interpreting this feedback constitutes a crucial step in strengthening inner resilience.
As discussed in greater detail in my previous article, focusing on the present moment does not mean disregarding the past or ignoring the future. Rather, it involves learning from past experiences, maintaining hope for the future, and simultaneously acknowledging the value of the present. While life continues to unfold despite ongoing difficulties, the ability to recognize one’s personal journey and to feel gratitude toward oneself for enduring it remains one of the most humane ways of preserving psychological balance. Gratitude stands as a quiet yet powerful expression of recognizing the value of time. The widespread adoption of this perspective may support not only individual mental health but also social solidarity and collective well-being. With this in mind, it is hoped that 2026 will be a year in which life is lived with greater awareness, both individual and collective experiences of gratitude increase, and psychological resilience is further strengthened.
References
Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377–389. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.2.377
Festinger, L. (1954). A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations, 7(2), 117–140. https://doi.org/10.1177/001872675400700202
Fredrickson, B. L. (2001). The role of positive emotions in positive psychology: The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. American Psychologist, 56(3), 218–226. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.56.3.218
Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (2004). Posttraumatic growth: Conceptual foundations and empirical evidence. Psychological Inquiry, 15(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327965pli1501_01
Wood, A. M., Froh, J. J., & Geraghty, A. W. A. (2010). Gratitude and well-being: A review and theoretical integration. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(7), 890–905. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.03.005