If Your Business Feels Heavy This Thanksgiving, Read This
Plus: 10 Things Entrepreneurs Forget to Be Thankful For (But shouldn’t) + A Client Appreciation Template You Can Steal
Thanksgiving has a way of spotlighting everything at once — the things you’re proud of, the things you’re unsure about, and the things you wish were going differently.
And if you’re an entrepreneur, this season can hit a little differently.
You scroll, and suddenly everyone looks more successful.
You sit down to rest, and your brain whispers that you should be doing more.
You look at your goals, and instead of feeling inspired, you feel behind.
If that’s where you’re at this week, let me offer you something gentler.
You’re not behind.
You’re not failing.
You’re simply human — and you’ve been carrying a lot.
And sometimes the only way to quiet the noise is to shift your focus from what feels heavy… to what’s quietly been holding you together.
So instead of the usual “list what you’re grateful for,” here’s a version specifically made for the messy, beautiful life of being a business owner. These are:
10 Things Entrepreneurs Forget to Be Thankful For
The real gratitude list — the one that actually matters.
1. Slow seasons
Not because they’re fun, but because they give you clarity you don’t get when everything is moving too fast.
2. Clients who challenged you
The ones who pushed you just far enough out of your comfort zone to make you grow.
3. The days where everything fell apart
Those days built resilience, confidence, and problem-solving skills in a way success never could.
4. Your first drafts & first attempts
Even when you hated them, they taught you how to start — and starting is everything.
5. Projects that didn’t go the way you hoped
Because they freed you up for something better aligned.
6. Good feedback
The kind that reminded you you’re actually good at what you do.
7. Hard feedback
The kind that stung but sharpened your craft.
8. People who referred you quietly
A small gesture for them, a lifeline for you.
9. Your capacity to keep learning
You’ve adapted to changing platforms, client needs, systems, and skills — and you rarely give yourself credit for it.
10. The version of you who started this
They were scared, inexperienced, and unsure. But they said yes anyway. That courage deserves recognition.
And when you see all of that laid out… the heaviness of this season can sometimes loosen its grip.
You’ve been doing more than you think. You’ve grown more than you realize. And you’re not as “behind” as your brain likes to tell you.
So in the spirit of gratitude — the real kind, the unpolished kind — here’s something else you may not have said yet this season:
Thank you to the people who supported you.
Whether they hired you, encouraged you, shared your work, or simply believed in your potential, they played a part in the year you’ve had.
And if you want to express that without spending hours writing the perfect message, here’s something you can use:
A Client Appreciation Message You Can Copy + Paste
(A natural extension of the gratitude you just reflected on.)
Short + Sweet (DM or email)
Hi [Name],
As we head into Thanksgiving, I just wanted to say how grateful I am for you. Thank you for trusting me and being part of this business’s journey. I hope you have a restful, joy-filled holiday.
Social Caption Version
Feeling extra grateful this Thanksgiving for the clients, collaborators, and creatives who make this work possible.
Thank you for trusting me, challenging me, and being part of this business. Here’s to ending the year strong — and doing it together. 🤍
Newsletter Version
Subject: With Gratitude
As Thanksgiving approaches, I want to pause and say a genuine thank you.
Whether you’ve worked with me directly, shared my work, referred a friend, or supported from afar, you’ve played a meaningful role in shaping this business.
This season can feel heavy in entrepreneurship, but your trust and connection make it lighter.
Wishing you rest, joy, and a holiday full of good things.
From startWorks & inWorks LLC — Thank You
As we wrap up this season of reflection, we want to say a genuine thank you to you — our readers, our clients, our collaborators, and the creatives who show up in this space with honesty and ambition.
You’re the reason this work matters.
Every time you read a post, implement a strategy, share our content, trust us with your business, or simply come back for more — you’re helping build a community of entrepreneurs who believe in doing work with clarity, courage, and intention.
We don’t take that for granted.
From all of us at startWorks and inWorks LLC, we’re grateful for you, inspired by you, and proud to support the work you’re building.
Wishing you rest, warmth, and a Thanksgiving season full of good things.
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