The Art of Giving and Receiving Gratitude

My last post on Gratitude made me realize something: we all love giving compliments, but let’s be honest—receiving them? Instant awkwardness. You get a compliment and suddenly forget how to stand like a normal human. Should you nod? Smile? Stare at the floor like you just remembered an embarrassing moment from third grade? If you’ve ever found yourself in the middle of the dreaded "oh, it was nothing" shuffle, this post is for you.

Let’s talk about why both giving and receiving gratitude are equally important (and why you should just say “thank you” instead of short-circuiting like a robot that just got wet).

Why Receiving Gratitude Matters

When someone thanks you, they mean it (unless it’s a sarcastic “thanks” from your sibling after you stole the last slice of pizza—then, well, you’re on your own). Accepting gratitude gracefully allows you to own your worth. It’s like getting a gold star in life—except this time, it’s not from a teacher bribing you to sit still.

Next time someone appreciates you, resist the urge to deflect, wave them off, or pretend you didn’t hear it. Instead, try this radical approach: just accept it. Maybe even add a bit of flair—“Thanks! I AM pretty awesome.” Own it. Shine in the spotlight. Bask in the warm glow of appreciation like a cat in a sunbeam.

Ways to Give and Receive Gratitude

Because we all need a little help in the art of not being awkward, here are some practical ways to spread (and accept) gratitude like the contagious joy it is:

• Give Thoughtful Compliments – A good compliment is like a good pizza: warm, cheesy, and guaranteed to make someone’s day. But keep it genuine! “You have a nice face” is technically a compliment, but it could also sound like something a robot would say. Instead, go for something meaningful—“You are kind and thoughtful,” or “Your PowerPoint transitions are next level.”

• Acknowledge Your Efforts – Accept praise without minimizing it. You worked hard—own it! If someone says, “Wow, you did an amazing job on this project,” don’t reply with, “Oh, it was nothing.” No, it was something. You lost sleep, consumed excessive caffeine, and possibly debated running away to live in the woods. So take that compliment.

• Practice Gratitude Conversations – Instead of just the generic “How are you?” (which is often met with a bland “good” or “busy”), try asking, “What’s something good that happened today?” Boom. Instant depth. Plus, it makes the other person pause and reflect on something positive—double gratitude points unlocked!

Gratitude is a two-way street, and let’s be real—it makes life a lot more fun. Giving a compliment can brighten someone’s day, and receiving one doesn’t require a full existential crisis. So the next time someone tells you that you’re awesome, don’t fight it—just accept your crown and say, “Why yes, I am.”

Have you ever totally messed up accepting a compliment? Do you have a signature awkward response? Share your cringiest gratitude moments in the comments so we can all relate and laugh together!