Do you ever sit down and make gratitude lists or keep a gratitude journal? This is something I’ve been working on over the years, finding a way to capture and remember all of the little life things that make my heart feel full. Sometimes it’s the smallest of gestures or the most everyday moments, but regardless – my heart stops just for a moment. I find when I write these moments down, it’s an incredible way to simply feel happy and remind myself of the incredible life I have. It makes me appreciate my family, friends and the community that I feel so much a part of, things we often don’t stop to appreciate as we move through life. If you’re unsure about how to start a gratitude list or even where to begin when it comes to a whole journal – it’s simple. It’s yours. And, it can be whatever makes you happy. Here are my tips for how to get started.
4 Tips to Writing a Gratitude List
Pick a journal that you love – it has to be something you want to write in. If you love something ornate and beautiful, go for it. If you’re more simple and streamlined, go for that. But, make sure you love the journal and the pen…you’ll feel so excited to use both.
Make it routine. So timing for me a big one here as I often get sidetracked and lost in my day. Things get hectic and busy and then the next thing I know, I haven’t taken the time to reflect on what I’m thankful for. For me, the best time is right before I go to bed. I actually keep my journal and pen on my nightstand. I take five minutes at the end of each day, right before I go to sleep, to write down exactly what I’m grateful for. Some people love to do this same thing as soon as they wake up or over coffee each morning. Whatever works best for you – but make it part of your routine.
Choose two to five things to focus on each day. When you start writing your thoughts down, it’s helpful to push yourself to think of a few moments or a few things you’re thankful for. Think about everything that happened during the day – from a friend buying you a cup of coffee to a sweet hug from your grandchild. Whatever you include, make it specific. That way when you look back you’ll have lots of detail to remember these awesome moments.
Keep the negative out. This project is about gratitude and positivity. If something negative happens and you want to reflect on it here, find the positive – even if you have to dig deep. Remember there’s always a lesson to be learned or a sliver of positivity that can be found in pretty much every and any experience even if it’s tough to see at first.
So…what do you think? Could you start keeping a gratitude list or even a whole journal?
