Let’s talk gratitude journals
Let’s talk about gratitude. Expressing gratitude internalizes good vibes AND is proven to help reduce symptoms of depression. Gratitude can change your life; “Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.” – Amy Collette
Here is a guide to practicing gratitude daily:
Keep a daily gratitude journal
Engage in a contemplative practice every day
Write thank you notes
Think of positive thoughts
Appreciate & connect with nature
Help yourself from complaining
Practicing gratitude can make you feel more alive
It is integral to our well-being
To practice gratitude more often, just start reflecting on three things you are grateful for each day. Don’t feel like you need to express gratitude for the big things that happened in your day. Sometimes it’s the little things in life that we appreciate the most. Somedays I write “a cup of tea” because I am grateful for the cup of peppermint tea I had in the morning. Or, sometimes I write “my dogs” because they made me extra happy & grateful today. Just jot down the first few things that come to mind. If you can’t think of anything to be grateful for in your day–I struggle with this too–think of a positive thing that came from your bad day. Or think of something that helped get you through your bad day.
There is no correct way on how to format a gratitude journals. There are sites online where you can buy journals with pages for filling out gratitude, or you can just take any notebook and make it your own DIY gratitude journal.
If you are making your own journal, decorate it with things that make you happy.
I format my journal like this:
December 4, 2020
My dogs
Driving around
Bagels
Keep in mind, you don’t have to elaborate. Even just something as simple as writing “my dogs” will train you to reflect on your day, and to find the roses among every thorn. Feel free to elaborate if you feel extra grateful, or this moment was special for you.
