Thanksgiving is this Thursday and everyone is rushing to the store to buy the best turkeys as well as ingredients for stuffing, pumpkin pie, or homemade chicken noodle soup. I’ll be the first to admit that I tend to overlook Thanksgiving (I’m more of a Christmas kind of girl), but in the spirit of the holiday, I decided to make a list of all the things I am grateful for this year.

1. Family.

Going home and seeing my baby cousins always makes the two hour trip worth it and I am forever thankful for the time I get to spend with them. Of course seeing the rest of my insane family is a plus too, who else will force me to shop for over 24 hours straight!

2. Friends.

If I listed out all the reasons that I am grateful for my friends then I would have another article written, so I’ll keep it simple. I’m grateful for all the late-night Walmart runs, breaking out into song on every car ride, random screaming matches for no particular reason, and silly string and glitter fights in the park. I’m grateful that there are people in the world who can put up with my insanity.

3. Coffee.

Ah yes, my one true love. I give my thanks to the morning, afternoon and evening pick-me-ups you give me that get me through the day.

4. My education.

There are so many people in the world who are not presented with the same opportunities I have been given and I am eternally grateful that I get to attend a higher institution and receive my diploma. However, I also hope that things will change and more people will be given the same opportunities that I have.

5. My job.

I actually really like my job and I know that is not the case for most college kids; I also know that I could not interact with my coworkers and bosses the way I do anywhere else. So I am grateful to work where I do.

6. My apartment.

I’m grateful to live in a place that isn’t with either of my parents. I absolutely love having my own space and don’t want to give it up for anything.

7. Lazy days.

I give thanks to all the days where I have no homework, no classes, no work and don’t have to leave my apartment for anything. Who doesn’t want to sit on their couch in their pajamas all day having a Netflix binge with their roommates?

8. Good books.

For those of you who don’t read, I am sorry because you are missing out on one of life’s greatest treasures. Curling up on the couch with a good book is one of my favorite things to do and has been since I was a kid. I’m thankful for all the times I get to do that.

9. Speaking of books, my little cousin started reading Harry Potter.

Fun story, two minutes before she told me this she also told me she no longer believed in Santa Claus. Broke my heart, but then she told me she was going to start reading the Harry Potter series and my heart was healed again. I’m grateful she gets to experience the magical wonder of Hogwarts and the utter obsession that my sister and I did when we were growing up. She doesn’t need to believe in Santa anymore, now she can believe that one day her Hogwarts’ letter will come.

10. Music.

More specifically pop punk music; it never fails to completely turn my mood around. I’m also grateful I finally tracked down a good pop punk playlist on Spotify.

This holiday season, try and remember all of the little things you’re thankful for. If we are being honest I’m most grateful for is that my little cousin started reading Harry Potter, but that’s just because her big cousin is a major nerd!