Creating a gratitude journal practice
Let's talk about gratitude!
As a health coach, one of the first things I encourage my clients to do is to start a gratitude practice. It's a simple routine to create in your life that can produce big results. You might be thinking that you already give thanks for what you have in life, but I want to talk about creating a gratitude practice using a journal.
Taking your gratitude practice to the next level by writing down what you're grateful for every day can be much more powerful. For one thing, it's great to go back and reflect on what you've written. This can come in handy if you’re experiencing times of struggle in your life, but it can also help to remind yourself all that you have in your life. Let’s be honest, we all need that reminder sometimes.
Starting a gratitude journal increases positivity and happiness. By focusing on what you have in life, it will naturally make you a more positive person. It will make you optimistic and you will choose to see the good in life. By writing it down in your journal that makes it real and concrete.
So, what are some things you can do to create a gratitude journal practice? Below are some steps.
Designate a notebook or journal for your practice. I use this 5 Minute Journal but, if this doesn’t speak to you, any notebook or journal will do.
Keep the journal in plain sight so you remember to write in it daily. I find the nightstand or kitchen table works best for me.
Upon waking, write down the date and three things you're grateful for. Don’t worry, there is no right answer. I suggest keeping this simple at first as you build consistency. For example, my cup of coffee, my warm bed, the roof over my head, or the birds chirping outside my window.
Once the routine has become established, feel free to dig a little deeper.
If you miss a day, don't fret, it happens. Simply start it back up the next day.
If you feel you want to take it a step further, at the end of your day, reflect on three great things that happened. Perhaps you received a compliment at work, connected with an old friend, worked out even though you didn't want to, or had a powerful conversation with your partner or family member.
By inviting this practice in your life, you're choosing to invite abundance into your life. You will start to see how much you have in your life, which is a great thing to do in times of uncertainty.
Let me know what you think in the comments. Do you have a gratitude practice already, if so, what does it look like? Do you notice anything different when you're consistently practicing gratitude?
Happy journaling!