As the season of gratitude unfolds, I find myself reflecting deeper than ever. Not just on the surface blessing…but on the journey that brought me here. The soft life didn’t always feel within reach, but now that it’s here... I honor it. I protect it. I give thanks for it.
As a Black woman, giving thanks is more than tradition. It’s a sacred act. It’s remembrance. It’s resistance. And it's a celebration.
Our gratitude is layered. We don’t just give thanks for what is, we give thanks for what was overcome, and for every door we had to push open just to stand in the light.
I’m thankful for more than just the obvious wins. I’m thankful for the parts of life that feel tender, luxurious, intentional. I’m thankful for the freedom to rest, to explore, to connect, and to live with joy at the center.
What I’m Thankful For
The Resilience of Black Women
We carry so much, and still, our light shines. Even when the world tries to dull it.
We are the blueprint and the balm. I’m thankful for the stories in our bones, for the women who raised us, and for the grace we give ourselves as we unlearn survival and embrace softness.
The Freedom to Travel, Fully and Freely
My ancestors couldn’t travel the world for joy, rest, or self-discovery. I don’t take it lightly that I now can.
I travel not just to escape but to reconnect. To immerse myself in new cultures. To hear new languages, taste new food, learn new rhythms. With every journey, I expand.
And I’m even more thankful that the way I travel is intentional. It's rooted in wellness, self-care, and restoration. It’s yoga with a view, laughter with sisters, beachside journaling, and quiet moments that remind me I am whole.
Travel is my wellness. It’s where luxury meets healing... and every Passport Kisses escape is a space where I can be all of me. Soft. Bold. Curious. Cared for.
Access to Luxury and Softness
We don’t have to earn our rest. We don’t need permission to be pampered. I’m thankful for the spaces and experiences that reflect my worth back to me.
From five-star stays to oceanfront spas, from cultural experiences that move me to curated details that say “you deserve this”, I’m living a version of life I once only dreamed about.
Luxury, for me, isn’t about excess. It’s about ease. Freedom. Care. And I’m thankful to claim it fully, without shrinking.
Sisterhood, Family, and Found Family
I give thanks for the people who feel like home. For the ones who show up, see me, love me loud. For every group trip turned lifelong connection, every deep conversation shared under foreign skies, and for the joy of being in community.
I’m grateful for shared laughter, spontaneous hugs, soul talks, and the kind of love that travels with you.
Self-Care and Stillness
Self-care isn’t selfish, it’s sacred. I’m thankful for the rituals that ground me and the stillness that restores me.
Whether it’s a candle-lit bath, a sunrise meditation, or time away in a new country to reset, I’m learning that my peace is worth protecting. That choosing myself is an act of gratitude in itself.
A Note to My Ladies
If you’re reading this, take a breath. You’ve come so far, and you deserve to pause and feel proud. Not just for the goals you’ve hit but for the woman you’ve become in the process.
We are healing. We are glowing. We are rewriting what Black joy, rest, and luxury look like.
We are allowed to be soft and bold. To be grounded and glowing.
To be thankful for everything we are and everything we’re still becoming.
So this season, I give thanks for...
... every door our ancestors opened
... every boundary we now protect
... every blessing we once whispered into prayers
... every experience that affirms our worth
... and every woman who reminds me we are not alone
Happy Thanksgiving. May your season be filled with joy, softness, connection, and a glow that starts within and radiates out.
Kisses,
KayCee Cooley