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Some weeks you write a gratitude list because everything is going great. This week, I’m writing one because I need it. And I’ve learned those are the lists worth writing.

So here are three things I’m grateful for right now, the easy ones and the harder one.

1. A Beach and a Ceiling Fan

There’s a heat advisory right now, and I am so grateful to be near the beach. I can park in the beach lot, open my windows, let the fresh air in, and let the heat out. On a day like this, that makes all the difference.

I’m also grateful for my ceiling fan, which is still going strong. I bought it from Amazon (it’s this Remote Control RV Roof Vent Fan with Rain Sensor, 12V DC) and installed it myself, and I’ll admit I’m a little proud of that one. I can maintain my own solar panel system, and I know how to troubleshoot a 12-volt electrical system when something acts up. Not everyone gets to say that, and on a hot day I’m especially thankful I can.

2. My Cats

My cats make me smile. When I’m feeling a little down, stressed, or anxious, they lift me up. They also keep me on my toes, which I think is part of the charm.

I love them dearly, and they’re a big reason the hard days feel a little lighter.

3. A Hard Season That’s Teaching Me

Here’s the honest one. Lately I’ve been struggling financially. As a new travel advisor, it has been hard to get clients to book hotels, cruises, and trips through me. Finding clients is the hardest part so far, and I’m still learning and expanding my knowledge every day. If you’d like the backstory on how I got here, I wrote about it in Embracing the Shift.

One thing nobody really talks about is the delay in getting paid. For me, commission arrives about three to four months after a client completes their stay. So even when things go well, the money takes a while to show up.

But I’m grateful for what this season is teaching me. Lately I’ve gone down the rabbit hole of learning about cruises, and my mind is blown by how expansive the travel industry is. There is so much to learn, and I love it.

I’ve been working on this website, too, hoping to bring in more traffic and inquiries. My goal is to help travelers feel more informed about their decisions by answering the most-asked questions about all things travel.

I also love the research itself, whether it’s a destination I know well or one that’s completely new to me. I’ve even made my own travel list of places I’d love to visit and things I’d want to do there. On the slow days, that list gives me hope and something to look forward to.

What I’m Hoping For

I’m excited about this journey as a travel advisor. In the short term and the long term, I hope for more inquiries and more clients. I hope my attention to detail, my research, and my passion for helping others bring me the people who would truly benefit from help with their travel plans.

Until then, I’m grateful for the breeze through the windows, for the cats who keep me smiling, and for the hope that keeps me going.

What are you grateful for right now? I’d love to hear it.