How to Start a Gratitude Journal

Ever since I was a child I have kept a journal. Writing in it isn’t a nightly ritual, more like an escape when the world gets too much. As I’ve gotten older I’ve found that because this was the only time that I wrote down my thoughts I would pour all my anger and frustration out onto a page and just be left with this book dripping in toxicity.

So I decided to change and turn my book into a source of hope, happiness and a reminder of all the good days. For a month I turned my journal into a gratitude journal. Every night before bed I would write out at least three things that happened that day. It could be anything, as long as it made me smiled.

Some examples include:

Making my husband laugh
My cat Johnson winking at me (this is especially funny because I know he is doing it involuntarily)
Taking a walk at lunch through the park
The cats getting along on the balcony while getting some sun
Getting a WhatsApp message from a distant friend
My lunch looking cute in my MonBento Box

The benefits of a gratitude journal

This nightly five-minute exercise has given me something to look back on when depression starts to seep back into my life. It’s hard to feel like life is pointless when you can see pages upon pages of times you have spent with friends, family or even just loving some time to yourself. As someone that sometimes has week long depressive episodes, having a book that details the loving relationships I have, the little things that really brighten and the things I've achieved it's invaluable. It reminds me what the depression is trying to take from me. It shows me in my own scribbles that my life is wonderful and if I believed in a higher god I would say that I've been truly blessed.

When you write in your journal

Try writing in your gratitude journal as part of your morning routine. High Performance coach Brendon Burchard (if you’re not subscribed to his podcast make it a priority this week to give it a listen) recommends taking time in the morning to list out your goals and motivations. Let all the things that make you happy be your motivators.

I know some of you are sitting there thinking "easy for her to say, her life sounds sweet" and I get it, but what do you lose by giving it a go? You have five or maybe ten minutes an evening or in the morning. If you don't think you can make it to three things a day, then start with one or if you're in a great mood then go with as many as you can list. The more you put down the more you'll have for your future self to read.

Comments

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breathe.

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