Gratitude Journal

[RedJam88]

I started doing a gratitude journal at the start of the month, and I was just interested if anyone else has one and how they approach it?

At the end of the day, I try to write one thing I am grateful for that has happened or specifically caught my attention that day. I understand some people might write 3 things or 5 things every day but I struggle somedays to come up with one. Is that weird? I want to find something different everyday, and I kind of want to avoid really broad general things like being grateful for food on the table, or a bed to sleep in (unless perhaps I've just had a really full on day and a good nights sleep is exactly what I need.) Do other people put these kinds of things in their gratitude journals?

[RedJam88]

That was meant to be start of the year. I've been writing in my gratitude journal since Jan 1st.

[Jacko777]

Hi RJ88,

I do put things in the diary like 'food on the table' and 'roof over my head'. I think it's important because you start to actually see the high value in these things, imagine going a day without them, you start to notice the positive things in your life that may have previously gone with little awareness. I try and find about 5 things, weather and nature always make the list! It brings my attention to great positive parts of my like that aren't to be overlooked. Some times I will just sit and think about the things to give gratitude to. Even the negative moments in my life are worth being grateful for because I choose to learn from them, I grow into a better person and that's positive.

Keep it up!

Jack

[blondguy]

Hey RJ88

I admire your heart and keeping the your 'Gratitude Journal' ....Original and very caring...Nice1

I keep a 'Gratitude Journal' in my head.....(I think your idea is positive and strong)...and I am just grateful for knowing;

* The Kind people in my life (including this site)

* That I am still 'here' and can see the ceiling very morning when I awake

* That I can be be involved in K9 rescue

Even by writing this response I think your 'Gratitude Journal'  is an original and excellent idea....

Way to Go RedJam!

Paul 🙂

[Chris_B]

Hi RedJam, if you're after some ideas of what people might put in gratitude journals, we have a sticky thread in this forum called Three things to be thankful for today.  It's been going since August 2014 now and is getting close to 500 posts. I enjoy going in there to see all the different things that people notice in their lives on a daily basis and give thanks for.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi RedJam,

Great post! I'm really glad that you've mentioned gratitude journals because they've been talked about a lot lately and they can be super useful for dealing with mental health.

I definately have my own.  I have a notebook that I've been writing in for a few years now; I usually write about one thing but if I have more to write than I will.  Sometimes it's quite general - like the sound of rain or just a good night's sleep, and other times it's more specific, like if a friend mentioned something or I got a text that made me smile.  I've learned through my own gratitude practice not to put rules on it; so if there's a day that I can't think of anything then I don't force it.

In my own research of gratitude journals, those who keep regular gratitude journals have noticed a more significant impact on their happiness then those who haven't.  The amount of things that they are grateful for didn't make any difference in the study.

If you are looking for inspiration though, then the Internet can be a fabulous resource; I find that seeing what other people are grateful for can help me think outside the box in my own practice.

Hope this helps, enjoy your journal 🙂