How to be grateful to someone – even when you really don’t want to

Struggling to feel grateful? Try thinking differently about what caused the person’s actions.

By: Mark Schroeder, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: July 15, 2026

Words: 1,168

Last Updated: 5 days, 19 hours ago

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By Mark Schroeder, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

There are few greater feelings than the sense of heartfelt gratitude to another human being who has done you a solid. Sincere thanks and reciprocation are part of the glue that binds us in human relationships.

But sometimes you’re just not feeling it. You know that you have benefited from what someone has done for you, but you don’t really feel grateful to them …

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