There’s been a lot of talk about gratitude over the past few years, and for good reason. There are so many benefits to practicing gratitude and reflecting on your life so this is a trend we want to keep. Gratitude has been shown to increase happiness, lead to more connected and stronger relationships, and improve not only your mental but physical health as well. 

With 2022 coming to a close, it’s important to take some time to reflect and appreciate all of the amazing things in your life. With that in mind, going forward you can focus on creating even more opportunities, experiences, and relationships that you can feel grateful for.

What is gratitude anyway?

Let’s start with the basics – gratitude is the quality of being thankful. Feeling an appreciation for the people, work opportunities, achievements, and possessions in your life is all gratitude. It motivates you to show kindness, and reminds you of all the wonderful reasons you have to be happy. 

What’s a gratitude journal?

A gratitude journal is a written journal that you keep to help you appreciate your life more fully. It’s a record of all of the wins and learning experiences that you have, and can help you keep track of your day to day. 

When you take the time to think about and write down all of the things that make you feel grateful, it’ll help you get through times that feel dark or lack motivation. You can either free-write your own journal in a blank notebook without prompts, or you can find a specific gratitude journal to help you get started. 

What are the benefits of a gratitude journal?

There’s SO many benefits! Seriously, this is not just some silly thing that blew up on social media. There’s documented evidence to support gratitude journaling as a daily practice, so it’s definitely proven to be an effective tool for improving both your mind and body. 

Even just a few minutes a day can: 

• Lower stress levels 
• Release anxiety 
• Help you build self-esteem
• Increase happiness
• Encourage self-care
• Give you a clear focus on creating the future you want 

How do you get into gratitude journaling?

I know that writing in a gratitude journal might sound easy, and it can be, but how do you get started? How do you create a practice that’s not only beneficial but becomes an enjoyable part of your day? 

It’s important to set yourself up for success and establish a routine for your journaling that allows you to stay consistent. Here’s what you can do: 

1. Find 5-10 minutes of alone time every morning and evening to think and reflect. Use your morning time to journal about things in your life that you’re grateful for, and use your evening time to reflect. 
2. Work on clearing your mind of things on your to-do list. This is a time for relaxation and reflection on the things that make you happy. If you’re struggling to block out the noise, try completing a quick meditation or put on a soothing playlist to help you get into the right headspace. 
3. Choose a prompt-based gratitude journal. These kinds of journals will help you get started because you can follow along day to day without having to free-write. 
4. Establish a routine that you enjoy. Maybe in the morning, you can complete your journal while you sit outside on your balcony or enjoy a cup of coffee. At nighttime, cuddle up on the couch and reflect on your day while listening to your favorite playlist or indulging in a glass of wine (or two). 

Getting started is honestly the hardest part, but once you get going, you should find that it’s easy to incorporate gratitude journaling into your daily routine. It’s a relaxing and peaceful time to sit and think about everything you appreciate, so it becomes something to look forward to every day.

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Have you ever tried keeping a gratitude journal? If you have, what benefits did you experience? How did it make you feel?

If you’ve heard of gratitude journaling but haven’t tried it yet, what’s holding you back?

Let me know in the comments down below!