Ideas for Starting a Gratitude Practice

Practicing gratitude is undoubtedly the most popular journaling method people use, and for good reason! It has tons of scientific benefits, such as:

• Improve sleep & mental well-being,

• Cultivate empathy & optimism,

• Give you the opportunity to build emotional intelligence,

• Ground you in the present,

• Create good karma or vibes, 

• Enhance your happiness & self-esteem,

• And create abundance, rather than lack.

And logistically speaking, there are so many ways you can practice gratitude. There’s no right or wrong way to do it, but here are some suggestions for what your gratitude practice could look like: 

• You can write about what you’re grateful for every morning or evening.
  

• You can write about all you’re grateful for in several sessions throughout the day— i.e.: write down one thing in the morning, one at lunch, and one at the end of the day.
  

• You can write down what you’re grateful for on a numbered or bulleted list, in a few sentences, or even in paragraphs.
  

• You can write down everything you’re grateful for without worrying how few or how many ideas are written down.
  

• You can write down the first five things that come to mind, and then challenge yourself to write down five more things.
  

• You can write down one thing you’re grateful for, and then the next day write two things, and then three, until you reach a certain number. Then, you can start again.
  

• You can write a letter to yourself or another person about what you’re grateful about.
  

• You can write down different items in specific themed categories— i.e.: health, finances, home, family, friends, etc.
  

• You can purchase a journal specifically dedicated to practicing gratitude. (There are lots available on Amazon).
  

• You can identify an experience you have a tenuous relationship with and write about aspects of it that you’re grateful for.
  

• You can practice gratitude in your regular journal or keep a special gratitude journal.

As always, it’s 100% up to you on how you want to do it.

Although, I do believe that whatever gratitude we’re practicing, it should be authentic and honest and ultimately meet you where you’re at.

If you enjoyed this article, check out this episode of The Power Within Her podcast, which deep dives into other aspects of gratitude.

Also, if you want to learn how to journal, check out my book, Guide to Journaling.

XOXO

Meggy