Gratitude journals were one of the trendy new things I noticed everywhere last fall. I didn’t really understand the hype and I definitely didn’t understand why people were paying money for something they could easily do themselves. Until I got one for Christmas.
My partner got one for everyone in his family, myself included. The first two weeks I didn’t even open it because I was so busy with work (retail, am I right?) and honestly felt like I was grateful on my own. As my job slowed down a bit, I opened it and flipped through. A simple little blue cover with cute little birds inside teaching me about how to form the types of thoughts that fit best into a gratitude journal. It started with noticing. I notice things…don’t I? It just started with what happened today and one thing to be grateful for. After a few of those pages, it added a little bit more: reflecting and appreciating. And the final stage is simply practicing gratitude. It’s much more open and less guided, but the earlier portions of the book prepare you to find those thoughts on your own.
If you’re like me, you may have thought these things are for people who are lacking positivity in their life or are trying to change their mindset. Or maybe even for suburban moms to put on their coffee tables and use once a month. But clearly I was wrong. I wanted to appreciate what my partner had gotten me for Christmas, so one night I sat down and opened it up to the first page. Things I’m grateful for typically include him, our pets, and our friends and family. I’m pretty basic that way. And after filling out the page and reflecting on what happened during my day that I can be grateful for, I really started to get it.
The big things in your life are easy to be grateful for – your loved ones, the roof over your head, the food in your kitchen. But sometimes it’s important to think about the small things. My list today is going to include my freedom to create content that I enjoy making. That’s still a pretty big scope. Calmer days are great for gratitude journaling because it forces you to slow down and look at the tiny things. I’m grateful today for the sunglasses I bought that don’t make my computer screen too dark so I can write outside in the sunshine! Nothing is too small and no day can’t be appreciated.
So what if you just have a really bad day? Woke up stiff, burnt your toast, ran out of coffee, all the way to your stove stopped working in the middle of cooking dinner and you stubbed your toe getting ready for bed. Those days are great for gratitude journaling! Being forced to sit down and find little wins throughout your day can totally change your emotional state before you go to bed; in turn, you’ll sleep better and wake up ready to try again. So you woke up late, but did you accomplish your goals for today? Did you complete a task you wanted to do today? Even if it wasn’t fun or amazing, things like finishing projects, submitting paperwork, reorganizing a closet, doing the dishes, even paying bills are all things to be grateful for. You did something to help yourself or something you can be proud for, even if it’s just a little bit.
Every night I use mine (it actually encourages you to not use it every day!) I find more things I love about my day. In turn, the following days I’m reminded of how grateful I am for those things. The more I use mine, the more I want to gift this to my own family and friends. And while there are plenty of free templates and suggestions online, I find using something set up for me like this helps so much. All I do is open it up and start appreciating my day with no hurdles to jump. And the cherry on top? I get to go back and look at all the things I’ve been grateful for – events I went to, something my partner did, a really good walk with my dog – and there’s no limits on what you can be grateful for.
So now for challenge! If you don’t have a gratitude journal already, what is something you can be grateful for today? No matter how big or small, find something good that you experienced today and write about it. It can be on a not card, in a journal, on the back of an old envelope – doesn’t matter! Just write it down. And if you do already have a gratitude journal, what is one thing it has helped you be more grateful for in your daily life? Is it something big – like a partner, family member, your job – or something small – like your coffee maker or the way the couch is perfect for cuddling with your dog? Let me know what you’re grateful for today!
If you’re interested in the gratitude journal I use, it’s the Kurgesagt Gratitude Journal. It’s currently delayed due to manufacturing and shipping delays worldwide but definitely give it a look. I’m not affiliated with the brand in any way but I love to share things I love in my life! The button below will take you to the shop page if you want to check it out.
makenzieshae.com 