Great Ways to Start and Keep a Gratitude Journal

Being thankful for anything that brings joy, however small, emphasizes that life isn’t as bad as we perceive it be. Cultivating gratitude benefits us both emotionally and mentally.

Gratitude journaling stimulates you to rewire your mind toward focusing on all the positive aspects in your life instead of the negative ones. Follow these three great tips on how to start and keep your journaling practice.

1. Pick out Your Ideal Journal

The first step to keeping a gratitude journal is to love it. Take time to pick the right journal for you. Remember, this journal is supposed to be something you’ll want to keep long term, something you’ll cherish.

Choose the one that appeals to you: it could be something small, portable or eye-catching. As long as it is a journal that you enjoy using, you will have an easier time remembering to write in it.

2. Make a Habit of Writing in Your Journal

Set a time and place for writing down things to be thankful for. Sticking to an allotted time every day is ideal because it helps you cultivate the happiness and abundance mindset. This mindset starts shadowing your whole life and becomes a part of your life outlook. But no worries if you miss a day or two. Just get back at it the next day and try to stick to it.

3. Themes for Your Journaling Practice

There are many things to be grateful for. All we need is to practice expressing our gratitude. Here are some sample topics you can use to write in your gratitude journal:

· Things that made your day

· Things that made you smile

· The small stuff: a good lunch, a warm smile from a co-worker, cuddling session with your dog

· Surprising things that happened to you

· Something you have now that you didn’t have in the past

· A lesson you’ve learned recently

You’ll come to realize later on that the gratitude list is long and never-ending. Writing down what you are grateful for will help keep you focused on life’s challenges that come up.

Photo Credit @BrookAndPeony