November is a time for cooking, cozying up and celebrating gratitude, a true time of Thanksgiving. This Style column is always written to help women navigate the often-overwhelming journey of “beauty” and “style” while balancing that with your inner compass of gratitude, resourcefulness, and celebrating your own unique, authentic self.
This month, we celebrate your natural beauty — everything that makes you, you. Glamour is often seen as illusory and surface-level, lacking substance… yet everyone seems to want it. On the other hand, gratitude — though sincere and deep — doesn’t have the same sparkle or mystique. Why? Because gratitude is a state of mind. You don’t hashtag it. You live it. You practice it. Every day.
It’s lovely that we gather once a year to give thanks, but gratitude should be a daily mindset. Being thankful for what you already have — even during tough seasons — is the real gift. Practicing gratitude isn’t always easy. Your house needs a new roof, your car needs tires, your boss is a dragon — yep, life happens. But gratitude provides a better lens to recalibrate. It widens your perspective and helps you shift focus.
The benefits of gratitude aren’t just emotional — they’re physical. Practicing gratitude and giving back can:
- Reduce stress hormones like cortisol
- Boost your immune system
- Improve heart health by lowering blood pressure
- Enhance sleep patterns
- Activate the brain’s reward system
- Release dopamine and serotonin (our feel-good hormones)
- Lessen anxiety and depression
- Strengthen relationships
- Foster purpose and social connection
- Reduce feelings of isolation
All these health benefits — just by choosing to acknowledge the good around you.
This month, SHIFT has many many new fall wardrobe items to shift you into holiday glamour, but only YOU can self-express gratitude. Sometimes celebrating your best assets—showing great legs in a holiday dress or skirt, framing your gorgeous face with a beautiful necklace or a pair of earrings can help you celebrate with gratitude. Perhaps dressing in layers, with warm, well-fitting outerwear and matching hats and mittens to stay warm while ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, or passing out turkeys and food for those who need at the Food Bank or Soup Kitchen are your true gratitude secret weapons.
SHIFT is grateful this season for the Genesee County community and beyond. We are grateful to be able to serve and style you with grace, glamour and gratitude. In an effort to create greater community connection, SHIFT is pOpPiNg UP all over town in these “open to the public” events celebrating local small businesses — those that sponsor your kids sports teams, charitable events, golf outings, community fundraisers and so much more.
Come see us at these events:
Nov. 6: Brother Rice High School, Holiday Sip n Shop 5-9PM
Nov. 6: Bring More Good Holiday Sip N Shop, Captain’s Club at Woodfield 5-8PM
Nov. 10: Warwick Hills Country Club, Women’s Holiday Shop 3-8PM
Nov. 14: Downtown Fenton Ladies Night Out — shop local small business and support retailers, salons, restaurants and bars who all have great sales, giveaways, raffles and join a ‘90s theme dance put on by Southern Lakes Parks and Rec at the Fenton Community & Cultural Center.
Nov. 14: ELGA Credit Union’s Raise the Purse event supporting Hurley Hospital NICU — SHIFT has donated a purse and sponsored the event on Hill Road
Nov. 28: Black Friday at SHIFT, 12258 Fenton Rd., Fenton
Nov. 30: Small Business Saturday at SHIFT
Dec. 2: Birmingham Country Club, Holiday Shop Pop-Up 5-9PM
So grab a friend, coffee from a local barista or cocktails at a local restaurant and volunteer, donate, give your time, talent and lastly, your treasure by supporting local small businesses.
Living in gratitude creates positive emotions and physical well-being. This season, let your thoughts, actions, and even your wardrobe reflect the joy of giving thanks.
