I'm not proud to admit it, but a couple years ago I took a hard look at myself and realized some not-so-nice things - I wasn't a very happy person. I was too often judgmental and jealous of others, and complaining was my number-one hobby. Why was I acting like this when I had so much to be thankful for? I had an incredible family; an amazing husband; a roof over my head; and a good job to go to every day. I needed to do something to get me out of this funk.
At the beginning of 2015, I started keeping a gratitude journal. I journaled a lot through my teen and college years, but this is different and has more focus. In this journal, I write down things I am thankful for. Usually I just write a sentence or two, but occasionally the entries are longer. Sometimes they are serious, sometimes they are more mundane or even silly:
- A phone call in the middle of the day from my husband just saying "I love you"
- A good prognosis for a loved one after a health scare
- A new book by one of my favorite authors
- A sunny day after a string of rainy ones
- Pizza
I don't write in it everyday, more like a couple times a week. I write in it when I'm really happy about something, but those times when I seem to be in a negative headspace are also a good time for me write, to focus on something positive instead. In November, I try to log an entry for each day of the month; this past year I used a prompt from Text My Journal to guide me:
I don't see my gratitude journal as a way of ignoring or brushing off real problems I may have. It helps me focus on the good things in my life and to stop worrying about things I don't have or can't control. I find that keeping the journal has changed my way of thinking and improved my attitude. It's taught me not to take little (and sometimes big!) things for granted. I feel happier and more positive, and petty issues don't seem to bother me as much as they used to. I think (I hope!) my family has also seen a change in me. Reading back through the entries is a great reminder of all the amazing people, moments, and things in my life.
Have you ever kept a gratitude journal? What are you grateful for this new year?
Oh, this sounds like a great idea! I never thought about it before, but it seems like a great way to focus on the positive things in life. And it's true, if you think about it there are always little (or big) things to be thankful for, like the health of a loved one, discovering a new favorite series, a little unexpected text from someone,... Great idea!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's a small thing, but it really has made such a difference for me!
DeleteI really needed to read this. last year I realised this about myself too and realised I wasn't happy, and that I was responsible for that in myself most of all. And I didn't know how to change. I tried a five minute/one sentence a day journal app which worked, but it was hard to get into the habit of writing in it. But that's on me and my own habits -- I tend to find excuses and not find the time. And that's another unhappy realisation about myself. SIGHS.
ReplyDeleteAt least you tried something! I don't pressure myself to write in it everyday. Maybe start small!
DeleteI really love this idea and have been wanting to start one for a while now. It's so easy to get into a rut where I'm always looking at everything that has gone wrong, so I think this would be a great way to force myself to change that way of thinking. I've seen people incorporate this into their bullet journals too, which is another thing I've been wanting to try. Maybe 2017 will be my year for all of this. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed keeping the journal and it really has made a difference for me. I'm intrigued by bullet journals, so that might be something I look into as well.
DeleteA not so subtle hint that I need to do this in 2017??
ReplyDeleteLOL, not everything is about you. Also, the gift I got you is a gratitude journal.
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