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16 Reasons You Should Be More Grateful For Your “Average” Life

16 Reasons You Should Be More Grateful For Your “Average” Life

Ever feel like your life is just a blur of errands, emails, and the same familiar faces at the grocery store? Trust me, I’ve been there, rolling my eyes at my own routine.

But here’s the gut punch: most of the things we call “average” are the very pieces someone else would trade everything to have. So before you get lost in comparing your life to some curated highlight reel, let’s sit in the messiness of what’s real.

Here’s why your “average” life might actually be the jackpot, whether you feel it or not. These sixteen reasons aren’t about pretending things are perfect—they’re about noticing what’s quietly powerful about where you are, right now.

1. You Woke Up Today

© Live Science

I don’t care how cliche it sounds—waking up is underrated. It means you get another shot, another cup of coffee, another awkward conversation, another laugh. Not everyone got the same luxury today.

When you first open your eyes, there’s no parade, no confetti. But there’s a quiet kind of miracle in that moment. Your heartbeat proves you made it through the night. You get to try again—even if you don’t have it all figured out.

If you’ve ever lost someone, or worried you might, you know this matters. The ordinary act of waking up is a luxury we only notice when it’s threatened. That alone is worth a moment of gratitude—no matter how much the day ahead annoys you.

2. You Have Food in the Fridge

© Martha Stewart

Opening the fridge and finding food—any food—is a small victory. Maybe it’s leftovers, maybe it’s just eggs and wilting spinach. But it’s nourishment, and that’s something millions go without every day.

There’s a certain comfort in knowing you can make a quick sandwich at midnight or pour yourself a bowl of cereal. These habits feel dull until you remember how many people are forced to skip meals or worry if dinner will happen at all.

You don’t need a gourmet kitchen or Instagram-worthy meals to feel rich. On occasion, survival looks like reheating pizza and not thinking twice. That’s privilege, even when it doesn’t feel grand.

3. You Have People Who Text Back

© BetterHelp

Getting a “hey, did you make it home?” text might seem basic, but it means you matter to someone. Maybe it’s your sister, your best friend, or that group chat that never quite shuts down.

There’s reassurance in knowing you’re not floating alone. Someone out there thought of you, even if it’s just to send a meme or complain about work.

If you’ve ever felt invisible, you know the sting. So when your phone buzzes, take a second before you roll your eyes—it’s proof you exist in someone else’s world. That’s a kind of magic that’s easy to forget.

4. You Know Where You’ll Sleep Tonight

© Architectural Digest

There’s a certain peace in knowing exactly where you’ll crash tonight. Your bed might not be fancy, but it’s yours, and that’s a bigger deal than you think.

You don’t spend your day worrying about rain on cardboard or the sound of strangers outside your door. The simple act of locking up and pulling the covers over your head is a privilege often overlooked.

It’s easy to complain about drafty windows or ugly sheets. But security—real, actual safety—is rare and precious. Your ordinary bed? It’s a fortress for your tired self. Don’t discount that.

5. You Can Go Outside Without Fear

© HelpGuide.org

Stepping out your front door without flinching takes a certain luck. In too many places, fear is the first thing people put on in the morning.

You can probably take a walk, grab a coffee, or just breathe fresh air without watching your back. That’s not “average” everywhere—some people never get to relax in public.

So when the world feels dull or unremarkable, remember it could be worse. You could be stuck inside, longing for one moment of peace. The freedom to walk outside safely is a quiet win.

6. You Have Boring Days

© Parade

Boredom might feel like the enemy, but it’s actually proof your life isn’t in constant crisis. When things are calm enough to feel dull, that’s a sign you’re safe.

There’s something to be said for days when nothing explodes, breaks, or falls apart. You can sit with your thoughts, even if you grumble about the monotony.

People in chaos crave routine. The next time you’re restless, remember: boredom is a weird kind of privilege. It means disaster hasn’t found you today.

7. You Get to Choose Your Clothes

© NBC News

Picking out your outfit isn’t always fun, but it’s freedom. You get to decide if today is a “sweatpants” or “put together” kind of day.

Some people never had that choice. Uniforms, hand-me-downs, or worse: nothing at all. Having options, even when you whine about having nothing to wear, is a luxury.

Fashion isn’t always about statement pieces. At times it’s about comfort, mood, and control over your own body. Every time you stare at your closet, remember: you have autonomy, and that’s rare.

8. You Can Laugh at Small Things

© The Virginian-Pilot

If you can crack up at a stupid meme or your cat chasing a shoelace, you’re doing okay. Laughter is proof you’re not numb—there’s still softness left inside you.

There are people who don’t have the energy or freedom to find things funny. Sometimes, the world weighs so heavy that humor dries up completely.

When you laugh, even if it’s just for a second, that’s hope. It’s connection. It’s a reminder that you’re still alive enough to care. Don’t take that for granted.

9. You Have Access to Clean Water

© Yahoo

You turn the tap, fill a glass, and don’t think twice. Clean water isn’t a given everywhere, but for you, it’s just another Tuesday.

That quiet convenience is a miracle packaged in routine. No worry about bacteria, no waiting in line, no boiling every drop.

When life gets overwhelming, drink a glass of water and remember: you’re in the minority. Hydration, health, and the absence of fear—these are things worth noticing.

10. You Can Rest When You Need To

© Sleep.com

Being able to nap isn’t just about laziness. It’s a sign that your world is safe enough to let your guard down for a bit.

If you can crash on the couch without worrying what might happen, you’re better off than you realize. Rest is a form of trust in your surroundings.

Not everyone has that gift. So when you’re tired, let yourself melt into the cushions. Security and rest are privileges, not guarantees.

11. You Have Moments of Privacy

© Yahoo

You get to close a door behind you and breathe. Privacy isn’t just space—it’s permission to exist without performance.

If you can journal, daydream, or simply stare into space without someone watching, you’re luckier than you know. Many people live crammed together, with no room for solitude.

Those moments alone? They’re tiny lifelines for your sanity. Hold onto them. They’re the secret ingredient in not losing yourself.

12. You Have the Right to Say No

© BetterUp

Saying “no” is a superpower. It means you have boundaries, choices, and a voice that counts for something.

Not everyone gets to refuse. In some places, and even in some families, “no” is dangerous. If you can draw a line—at work, in relationships, even with yourself—you’re in rare company.

It’s not always easy, but it’s yours. Every time you stand up for yourself, you honor your own worth. That’s not just average—it’s revolutionary.

13. You Can Plan for Tomorrow

© Upworthy

Planning ahead isn’t boring; it’s power. Having a calendar, a list, or even a loose idea of next week means you believe you’ll be around to see it.

If you’re scrambling for survival, the future doesn’t exist—it’s just one more thing to worry about. But if you can pencil in dinner or dream up a vacation, you’re already winning.

A boring planner is a privilege. It means you have hope, stability, and just enough control to shape your own days.

14. You’ve Survived Worse

© UMBC

You’ve already made it through so much. Heartbreak, failure, loss, betrayal—you’re still here.

That resilience isn’t flashy. Nobody gives you a medal for living through hard things. But it’s there, in every scar and every story you carry.

The fact that you’re still standing is proof you’re stronger than you think. “Average” doesn’t mean untouched. It means you survived, and that’s worth more than gold.

15. You’re Allowed to Dream Small

© The Independent

You don’t need colossal dreams to matter. Sometimes, dreaming small—like hoping your pothos grows a new leaf—keeps hope alive.

Big, dramatic goals aren’t the only way to feel fulfilled. Tiny wishes and quiet hopes are just as valid, and way more manageable.

So go ahead. Wish for a good hair day or a peaceful weekend. In a world obsessed with “bigger,” dreaming small is a radical act.

16. You’re Not Alone in This

© Melanin Base Camp

Feeling average can feel lonely, but it’s actually the most common club in the world. Everyone thinks everyone else has it figured out.

The truth? Most people are muddling through, just like you. You’re not the only one who worries, doubts, or wonders if you’re enough.

That solidarity is a quiet comfort. You’re surrounded by secret strugglers. The “average” life is full of invisible companions who get it.