7 Reasons You Should Keep a Gratitude Journal
When your life seems that it’s turned upside down, it’s easy to wonder “Why me?” or “Why is this happening?” or even to feel outright rage at the situation. I know I’ve been there. But what I’ve found is that by focusing on things I’m grateful for in life, I can often pull myself out the funk pretty quickly. My gratitude journal has been a lifesaver at times.
When I started, I decided that I would journal over the course of 60 days to help develop a habit. It was definitely not easy at first. My current living situation is pretty stressful at times. So there have been moments when I’ve just wanted to scream or hit something.
Instead, I make a conscious effort to breathe in and out slowly and meditate on the things I’m grateful for. I’ve found this technique useful also when I feel myself spiraling down into a funk.
I play a little game with myself. I focus on one or two things I’m grateful for despite of the current situation. Focusing on the things I’m grateful for helps alleviate some of the stress I may be feeling in that moment. It gives me some time to breathe, think about the current situation and reassess.
Why You Should Keep a Gratitude Journal
Journaling is a concrete way to reaffirm and reinforce my walk in gratitude. Though I don’t journal every day as I did during the initial 60 days, it’s still a positive influence in my life.
Every now and then, I like to go back and read over past journal entries. The benefits I’ve personally experienced from journaling are difficult to ignore. My 60 day experience of “walking in gratitude” has probably helped me more than any other.
How Can Keeping a Journal Help You?
So, have YOU ever considered starting a gratitude journal? It’s a simple yet powerful practice that can truly transform your life in so many ways. By taking just a few minutes each day to jot down what you’re thankful for, you’ll find yourself focusing more on the positives and nurturing a happier, healthier mindset.
Keeping a gratitude journal is all about counting your blessings and paying attention to the good things in life. It can help you develop self-awareness, make better decisions, reduce stress, and so much more.
In fact, we’ve gathered 7 amazing reasons why you should start a gratitude journal today. So, why not give it a try? You might just be surprised at how much of a difference it can make in your life. Read on to discover these 7 reasons and get ready to embrace an attitude of gratitude!
Self-Awareness
A gratitude journal can really help you get to know yourself better. By taking the time to reflect on what you’re grateful for each day, you’ll start to notice patterns and discover what truly matters to you. This heightened self-awareness can lead to a deeper understanding of your values, goals, and overall well-being. Plus, acknowledging your achievements and the good things in your life can boost your self-esteem and sense of self-worth.
Make Better Decisions
When you regularly focus on gratitude, you’re more likely to approach decisions with a positive mindset. This can help you weigh your options more effectively and make choices that align with your values. Plus, by concentrating on the good in your life, you might find it easier to let go of negative thoughts that could cloud your judgment. In the end, a gratitude journal can help you develop a clearer, more optimistic outlook that leads to better decision-making.
Reduces Stress
Life can be pretty hectic sometimes, and stress can really take a toll on our mental and physical health. Writing in a gratitude journal allows you to pause and reflect on the positive aspects of your life, giving you a much-needed break from stressors. This simple act of focusing on gratitude can lower stress levels, help you relax, and even improve your sleep quality.
Reduces the Emphasis on Materialism
In today’s consumer-driven society, it’s easy to fall into the trap of constantly wanting more. A gratitude journal can help you shift your focus away from materialism and onto the things that truly matter. By taking the time to appreciate the non-material aspects of your life—like relationships, experiences, and personal growth—you’ll begin to develop a deeper sense of fulfillment and happiness that isn’t dependent on possessions.
Improves Your Health
Believe it or not, keeping a gratitude journal can have real benefits for your physical health too. Studies have shown that people who practice gratitude regularly experience fewer aches and pains, have stronger immune systems, and even enjoy lower blood pressure. Plus, the mental health benefits—like reduced stress and increased happiness—can have a positive impact on your overall well-being.
Helps You to Weather the Storms
Life is full of ups and downs, but a gratitude journal can help you navigate those tough times with grace. By regularly focusing on the positives, you’ll develop a resilience that makes it easier to cope with challenges and setbacks. When you’re able to find something to be grateful for even in difficult circumstances, you’ll become more adaptable and better equipped to handle whatever life throws your way.
Helps You Develop Deeper, More Meaningful Relationships
Gratitude is a powerful connector—it can help you develop stronger bonds with the people in your life. When you make a habit of acknowledging the good things others do for you, you’ll naturally become more appreciative, empathetic, and understanding. As a result, your relationships will deepen, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by a supportive, loving community.
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I really love this idea. Especially when things aren’t going well, this would be a great reminder of all we have to be thankful for.
It really is. I’ve found that since I started journaling, my attitude has taken a turn for the better and I bounce back quicker from upsets.
Attitude adjustments start with the words we use when we talk to and about ourselves and journaling just makes those words a little more concrete in our minds. Everyone should be doing this idea of gratitude journaling so thanks for sharing your ideas.
My gratitude journal has been one of the best things I’ve ever done for mental and emotional well-being. Everyone should have one!
Seppy | http://www.elleisforlove.com
It’s been one of the best things I’ve done for my mental health as well. I notice that I don’t stress or freak out as much. My mind is a lot calmer.
I keep a gratitude page in my bullet journal and you are right, it definitely helps reduce my stress levels by focusing on the good in my life!
This is a great idea. Even when things are not great, there is always something to be grateful for!
I did a gratitude journal for a while and it taught me to really appreciate the small things. Like you, I only do it once in a while now, but I find it helps when things get tough! Thanks for this!
This is such a great idea! I like to do this every once-in-a-while at night when I’m feeling a little down. I should do it more often!
It really is a great habit to develop. When I’m feeling down, I’ve found that listing things that I’m grateful helps too.
I’ve been having trouble keeping up with my gratitude journal. On the days I do it, though, it makes me feel better. I need to get used to doing it every day so I can reap the benefits!
It is hard at first, but the more you do it, the more it becomes second nature. At first, I found every excuse not to journal, but I just started making time for it – either in the early morning or at night before bed. The thing is, your journal doesn’t have to be an essay. It can just be a list of things that you have been grateful for lately.
Absolutely believe in the power of gratitude. Thanks for reminding some key points with a very fresh perspective.
I love the idea of a gratitude journal! I’ve been actively doing things to reduce my stress and I can’t wait to give this a try. Thank you!
Perspective is everything and gratitude is the key to it all!
Persepctive is definitely the key!
Good points! I started my gratitude journal when I was going through a very hard time. Really it lifted me up. It reminds us to look at the positive aspects of life.
I’ve been using gratefulness.io – it’s a service that sends you a text message nightly and I LOVE how convenient it is!
I haven’t tried gratefulness.io yet. I’ll definitely have to check it out.
I keep a gratitude journal intermittently. It really helps when I am consistent with it!
Currently, I ususally try to write in mine at least every few days. when I find myself falling into a funk, I make of point of taking a bit of time every day to reflect and to journal. It really helps.
Also, the more you are grateful for, the more things to be grateful for we will experience. It really does help and keeps me in a great mood all the time.
I kept a list of what I’m thankful for each day in my phone. It’s a great reminder on bad days. We have a lot to be thankful for!
I’ve always wanted to have a gratitude journal, but I either never got around to it or was too picky with what journal I wanted. This post is lovely and thank you for the encouragement!!
I love incorporating these elements in my journaling! It really helps me when I’m in a rough spot 🙂
This is such a great idea! I forget to be thankful and have gratitude for what I have. Writing down what I am grateful will help keep me focused
Great list but it’s all about number three!
Finding things to be grateful for is so important! 🙂
It is great to keep things to be grateful for in mind. 🙂
I love the bullet point about weathering the storm, that really spoke to me today so I’m going to be setting up my journal today. Thank you for the inspirations!
This practice really helps us in cultivating an abundance mindset.
This is a super idea! It’s during the toughest times that we need something like this the most. Reminders of all the good things in our lives, reminders of God’s goodness, reminders of just how blessed we are. A grateful heart changes everything, and having all of those thoughts written down in a journal is a great way to make sure we can access them when we need it the most!
Love this post! Exactly what I needed to read today. Thanks for sharing these tips- I’m going to start a Gratitude Journal!
I am all for number 3 reducing stress. Might try this out thanks for the motivation.
We are going through a lot of change and uncertainty right now and focusing on things I am grateful for will definitely help with stress. I hadn’t really thought of the other reasons to do it.
It’s so important to remember the goodness of God before we weather the storms. Thank you for the reminders.
This is something I really want to start doing. I think it will help me keep things in perspective more and be less overwhelmed by the little annoyances that come up. Thanks!!
I love this idea. Keeping a journal is a good habit. I should start it soon again
I love this idea. As humans we tend to focus on the negative… on the things that didn’t go right. A gratitude journal allows us to retrain our thinking! Thanks for sharing!
I’m excited about your article and I’m going to working on your challenge. Thank you so much. I’m hoping this will get me more grounded.
I have always believed in positivity and that negative energy can influence what is going on around you.Your idea of writing a journal is great as it makes focusing on the positive easier especially when you have bad things going on. I’ll give it a try
I absolutely adore my Gratitude Journal! It’s such a lovely form of self care and so good for your mental health and general well-being. It definitely helped me stay positive after my Graves Disease diagnosis. And it a still a nightly self care ritual. Thanks for sharing it’s goodness <3
I tried a gratitude journal but had more success with the gratitude exercise at the end of the day where I think of five things to be grateful for. It banishes stress amazingly well.
That’s the thing about a gratitude journal. It doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s basically taking some time at the beginnning or end of the day to note the things that you’re grateful. It doesn’t always need to be formal, although some prefer keeping theirs in an actual journal. A notebook or just mentally noting your “gratitude” works just as well, though.
I love journals! Every time I go on a trip, for instance, I start a travel journal. I’ve never thought about making a gratitude journal, though. Thanks for the inspiration! <3
Best,
Claudia from http://thatsmeonline.net
Though I’m in dilemma whether or not gratitude journaling would work for me personally, the benefits you’ve listed down are terrific. Writing in itself (even if it’s not journaling but a blog post) improves my mental health and brings self-awareness. Loved your post. <3
The great thing about gratitude journaling is that you don’t have to do it every day. It does help, though, in the beginning if you’re trying to focus more on gratitude – or develop a gratitude habit. After a while, you’ll find that your mindset automatically shifts towards gratitude in most situations. It’s kind of like how you said that regular journaling helps improve your mental health and promotes self-awareness. Thanks for your comment!
Yes! Starting a gratitude journal was one of the best things I did for my spiritual and emotional health.
I practice gratitude prayers but I think I would learn so much more from following your example for writing my gratitude in a journal. For one thing, I think I would think of a longer list!
I love journaling! I do it just about everyday but I am always include what I a grateful for!
This is a great idea. I love the game you play with yourself. Keeping a journal will help you to think about all of things you have to be thankful and grateful for in this life. Even the small things can make a big difference.
I really need to start this again! I did for a while and I agree it helps bring your day into perspective when you really stop to think what you were grateful for. I always tried to write 3 things.
It’s amazing how much gratitude really can reduce stres and anxiety!
I love my gratitude journal. Before I started journaling on a regular basis I really wasn’t sure whether it would make an impact on my life – but wow, does it ever. Practicing gratitude really helps improve mental health when needed most and it’s my daily go-to now 🙂
I used to have a gratitude journal. It’s something I’ve been thinking I should start doing again because, well… 2020.