Did you know that when you express gratitude in your journal on a regular basis, you’ll get great benefits?
If you use (or are planning to use) a journal, having a section in it for gratitude is an amazing habit to start now. It is also highly recommended that you continue it year-round, but fall is a good time to pay attention to what you are grateful for.
Not sure why you should express gratitude? Here are some of the main benefits of doing this on a regular basis:
Focus On The Positive
Many people have a tendency to only focus on the negative, such as what you don’t have, things you want to accomplish but haven’t yet, and other daily struggles. If you want to be more positive and optimistic, express gratitude by focusing on the good in your life.
Exemple: What was the best thing that happens to me today?
Improve Your Ability to Empathize With Others
Empathy is a very powerful emotion, and one you might not realize you possess. With more empathy, you are able to connect with others on a deeper level and really understand what they are going through. This is yet another benefit when you express gratitude in your own life.
Exemple: How did I help someone today?
Improve Your Mental and Emotional Health
Whether you deal with stress, mental health disorders like anxiety or depression, or just feel blue this time of year, it can be good to give yourself a little pick-me-up.
Exemple: I choose to take care of myself today by doing ___________ .
Boost Your Own Self-Esteem
No matter how you feel about yourself, you can boost your self-esteem by expressing gratitude. You are focusing on the good things in your life and your own abilities and successes.
Exemple: I’m glad because I did _________ instead of __________ .
Starting Your Own Gratitude Page
It is really easy to add a gratitude page to your journal. You can start with just one page if you intend to keep it short, but multiple pages is also a good idea. Make a goal to write at least one thing you are grateful for each day. Keep the page close to your calendar or task pages so you remember to use it.
Want to start journaling but don’t know where to start?
Here are 2 great read for you:
I love this post. Started doing this yesterday. Can’t wait to see what it does ☺️
Great Trine!
Let me know how it’s going!
I love Gratitude Journals, focusing on the positive helps me to sleep better at night since I write in it just before bed.
That’s right Lori, a good night sleep is the way to go to start the next day on a positive note!
Great blog post! My hubby has keep a sort of journal on his calendar for years. Just the other day he found one from way back and he was reading some of his notes. Great memories.
Thanks Martha!
Your hubby put his hands on a precious find!
This is such a great post, Stephie. You’ve broken out some valuable benefits that come from being thankful. I especially appreciate your prompt, ” I’m glad because I did _________ instead of __________ .” That’s one I’ve not heard before! thank you.
Thanks Lori.
I’m glad you read my post instead of… Just kidding!
I 100% agree with journaling and with adding what you’re grateful for in each entry. I’m writing a workbook for widows and widowers to use during their healing process and with each journal entry I have made room for them to write down what they are grateful for.
Writing down the things you’re grateful for helps you to forget about the negative aspects of your life. It brings you clarity and understanding which you then can pass onto others.
That’s so true Eydie!
It’s a great idea to create a special workbook for those people. Even when we go through a hard time, the sun continues to shine. We sometime just need a little help to be able to turn our face on the bright side!
I am a gratitude junkie. I seem to find something to be grateful for every day. Sometimes I do a twitter post of daily gratitudes. However, I’m not consistent with it since I don’t get online every morning and I’m not going to type that much on my phone. 🙂 I love your reasons for expressing gratitude. My favorite is the way it helps fight the blues (depression may need more help) and makes it easier to recognize the positives we have in our lives.
Great idea Nita!
Even when you can’t/don’t want to go online to share on twitter, make sure you find people during your day to share with them! There is always something to be grateful for around us, but some people needs help to see it!
Words for thought and reflecting. Thank you.
Thanks Trish!
I think expressing gratitude keeps you smiling and a smile always looks better on.
I’m sooo agree with you Rebecca!
Keep smiling, you look good too!