HOW TO START A GRATITUDE JOURNAL

Thinking about starting a gratitude journal? Not sure how to start?

In this article I’ll share with you some of the real benefits of gratitude journaling. How to make gratitude journaling work for you, and tips on starting a gratitude journal.

When it comes time to think about what you’re grateful for I’ve included some prompts to help get your creative juices flowing !

What is gratitude journaling?

Just the thought of starting a gratitude journal is already a commitment you are making to yourself, and this is the very best place to begin. Gratitude can be done in writing ( or thinking about ) things that you’re grateful for each day.

Gratitude Journaling is taking time each day to value the things that you are grateful for through writing, visualising or meditation.‘

It’s a great way to boost your mood and outlook on life and it can also help you focus on the positive things in your life, as well as connecting with your inner self.

Gratitude journaling can be done any time of day.

I find it helpful to do it first thing in the morning, as this is when I am most fresh and in tune with my emotions. Of course this is just my personal preference.

You may find more benefits to journaling before going to bed when you can reflect on the good things that have happened during the day.

You’ll start to see the benefits from gratitude journal when it becomes part of your daily journaling routine.

It will help you to appreciate all of the good things in your life by becoming more mindful of the present and past and the gifts that you’ve been given.

can gratitude journaling change your life?

Gratitude journaling is widely accepted to have many benefits including; improved mental and physical health, increased resilience, strengthening relationships and decreased anxiety and depression.

Here’s some of the ways taking a few minutes a day gratitude journaling can set you on a positive life path.

Make gratitude a part of your daily routine: You will start to see there can be a positive outcome to almost any situation, no matter how big or small.
You will feel happier and more positive: Gratitude journaling has been proven to increase levels of happiness and wellbeing.
Your self-esteem will improve: Gratitude journaling can help to improve your self-esteem as it allows you to focus on the things you are grateful for, rather than any negative thoughts or experiences you may have had.
You’ll be more resilient: It can help to increase your resilience as it allows you to focus on the positive, rather than dwelling on any negative experiences.
Relationships improve: Gratitude journaling can help to improve your relationships as it allows you to appreciate the people in your life and connect with them on a deeper level.
Your anxiety and depression will decrease: Gratitude journaling is a great way to decrease levels of anxiety and depression.

Benefits of gratitude journaling

Research has shown that gratitude journaling can have some amazing benefits,

MENTAL CLARITY & PHYSICAL HEALTH: Gratitude has been linked with lower levels of stress hormones, improved sleep quality and a stronger immune system.
PERSPECTIVE & FOCUS: It can help to shift your focus to greater happiness and well-being on the positive aspects of your life, which can lead to increased feelings of happiness and well-being.
INCREASED RESILIENCE: It has been shown to increase resilience in the face of stress, meaning that you’re more likely to bounce back from difficult situations.
GREATER SELF-AWARENESS & SELF LOVE: Gratitude journaling can be a great way to get in touch with your emotions and learn more about yourself.

How to start a gratitude journal ?

Now that you know all about gratitude journaling and the benefits it can have on your life, you may be wondering how to start your own gratitude journal.

There are a few things you can do to make gratitude journaling work for you and get the most out of it,

01

Find a gratitude journal that you love:

There are so many different gratitude journals on the market, so find one that you love and that you will be excited to use each day.

02

Set aside some time each day to gratitude journal:

I like to gratitude journal first thing in the morning, but find a time that works for you so it easily works with your daily routine.

03

Write specific not general journal points:

When you gratitude journal, be specific about what you’re grateful for. For example, rather than just writing “I’m grateful for my family,” try writing example “I’m grateful for my partners support this week.

04

Try To always focus on the positive:

Gratitude journaling is all about focusing on the positive, so make sure to focus on the good things that have happened, no matter how big or small of a achievement.

05

Write down at least three things daily:

Gratitude works best when it’s done on a daily basis, so make sure to write down (or think about) at least three things each day that you’re grateful for, you will start to see the benefits.

06

Don’t worry if you miss a day or two:

If you miss a day of gratitude journaling, don’t stress about it. Just pick back up where you left off and keep going.

Oh and don’t be afraid to get creative with your gratitude journaling!

You can write, draw, or even use a gratitude jar (where you write down things you’re grateful for on slips of paper, pop them in the jar and read back at a later date.

Gratitude journaling prompts to help you get started.

A great way to start is ask yourself the following questions, they may help you to get you started as a guideline, and as you progress you’ll find your own personal prompts meaningful to your day to day.

If you’re thinking about starting a gratitude journal, these journaling prompts should help you get started!

These are just a few gratitude journaling prompts that I use.

I am grateful for

things that made me happy today were

I am thankful for my

Something I took for granted today was

I felt gratitude when

I am blessed because

A random act of kindness I Saw today

I Felt gratitude today by

My favourite thing about today was

The best part of my day was

No matter how you choose to do it, gratitude journaling is a great way to boost your mood and overall well-being.

Start small, with just three things each day that you’re grateful for. Then, watch how your gratitude journaling practice starts to improve your outlook on life and blossom out into other forms like daily bullet journaling

Do you gratitude journal? What are some of your favourite things to write down? Let me know in the comments below !