• How to Start a Gratitude Journal

    Gratitude has been shown to have a powerful effect on our mental health and our wellbeing. Do you want to be happier? Do you want to feel like a better person? Do you want to worry less about things? 

    BE GRATEFUL.

    Easier said than done, right?

    Gratitude journals are a simple way of keeping track of things you’re grateful for. They allow you to remember things you may sometimes forget when times are dark. 

    The goal is to focus on positive experiences and memories. 

    Here are 2 simple steps to starting your gratitude journal: 

    1. Grab your notes app on your phone, open a Google doc, or — if you’re feeling feisty — one of your kids’ composition notebooks.
    2. List 3 things you’re grateful for. This could be a person in your life, a fun video chat with friends, a job, or anything that comes to mind. 

    That’s it! That easy. 


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    Try this a few times this week. 

    If you’re more advanced, here are some pro-tips to up your gratitude game:

    • Allow yourself to get more detailed each time you write. 
      • Level 1: Start with 4 items, then 5, then 6, etc. 
      • Level 2: Try a narrative style of writing, no more lists.
      • Level 3: Start describing WHY you feel grateful for those things. What about it makes you thankful? 
    • Take your time. Don’t rush through. Set a timer and see how much you can write until it goes off. 
    • People > Things. People hold more power than any old thing. 
    • Keep your journal somewhere you’ll see it.
    • Don’t pressure yourself. Sometimes you can just go back and read through it, don’t always feel pressure to write in it.

    Now you know why gratitude journaling is effective. You know what it is and how to begin.

    So, what if you still don’t know WHERE to start? I got you!  Below are a few prompts to get your thankful juices flowing. (Prompts aren’t required, you can write about anything that comes up.)

     

    Gratitude Prompts: 

    The best part of the week was…..

    Someone made me smile today when…

    I’m proud of….

    I feel blessed to have had….

    I can always depend on….

    I got the best surprise when… 

    I know God loves me because….

    One thing I’m glad I learned is…

    The best person in my life right now is….


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    Do you journal? Let me know in the comments. What benefits have you experienced through journaling??

    If you know someone that may find this post helpful, share it; it’s free!

    1. MJ

      MJ

      October 10, 2020 at 6:36 am -
      Reply

      This is interesting, I never thought to just journal a couple times a week. I feel like when I start, I pressure myself to do it every day and then can’t keep up with it. Then I just stop because I’m frustrated. I don’t why I never thought to just read it now and then….I don’t always have to write….wow.

      1. Nadie Roberson

        Nadie Roberson

        October 13, 2020 at 11:01 pm -
        Reply

        Yes, that is how we shut down our success but pressuring ourselves to get it right everytime! Tiny wins is the key.

    2. Corey Land

      Corey Land

      October 10, 2020 at 6:45 am -
      Reply

      Really insightful!
      I’m at level 2 right now, I like how you broke that down.

      1. Nadie Roberson

        Nadie Roberson

        October 13, 2020 at 11:02 pm -
        Reply

        That’s awesome, already advanced, love to see it!

    3. Travis Harbuck

      Travis Harbuck

      October 10, 2020 at 6:54 pm -
      Reply

      This is awesome! I have been thinking about starting a gratitude journal’. Thank you for the tips on how to get started!

      1. Nadie Roberson

        Nadie Roberson

        October 13, 2020 at 11:02 pm -
        Reply

        Yesss! Send me a pic when you start yours!

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