Writing a gratitude journal has been on my ‘To-Do List’ forever. The concept looked great in theory, but only recently did I put it in practice.
It seemed simple enough – writing down all the things you are grateful for. But when I actually started writing, this is what my list looked like…
I am grateful for…
- Loving Family
- Supportive Spouse
- Healthy Child
- Good Friends
- Our House
Do you see how abstract the list is? This could be anyone’s list. While, I really AM grateful for all of the things mentioned, this list does nothing for me when I look at it. Ok, actually it does. It makes me wonder why my list is so clichéd, and how is this supposed to help me?
Since then, I have tweaked a few things, and have discovered how beneficial this can be when done right . Having said that, there is no one right way of doing it. I am simply sharing what has worked for me in hope that some of it might work for you.
- Being specific : The supportive spouse on my list was too generic. I replaced it with a specific gesture of support. E.g. Volunteering to take over Baby Duty 100% while I write my posts for AtoZ.
- Quality over Quantity: I have found that elaborating in detail about a particular thing for which I am grateful for is more helpful than a superficial list of many things.
- Going for what actually FEELS GOOD over what simply SOUNDS GOOD: I have always been in awe of people who wrote down things like this in their gratitude journal > I am grateful for *The cool breeze of an approaching Summer Storm or *The view outside of my window. These people have figured out how to see beauty in everything and are on another level of grateful living. These things look good to me in a gratitude journal, however I could not relate to them. I can’t seem to feel genuinely grateful for them. I instead focused on things that I really felt good about, even if it did not sound profound. Sometimes that meant writing this down in my gratitude journal > I am grateful that my nightmare about a vampire hunting me and my family down never came true. 😛
It’s easy to get numb to the regular sources of goodness in our lives. Writing a gratitude journal has helped me appreciate the wonder in the mundane things in my life. I strongly recommend it to everyone.
Since I am fairly new to this, I am curious to hear from you guys. Have you ever written a gratitude journal? How frequently do you write in it? Please feel free to share any additional insights. It would really help.
*This post is written for the AtoZChallenge.
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Archana
Such a wonderful post, one to remind us to appreciate the ‘good’ things happening around us or are done for us… I dont have a journal but I do try to thank God (whoever or wherever he or she is) every day..
Archana recently posted…G is for Gool Poonawala Garden
Shanaya Tales
I do that too. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Archana. Glad to have you here. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…What Inspires You? #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Sheethal
I have actually signed to a 52 week gratitude challenge. But lagging behind cos of AtoZ. Sometimes it’s good to write down these tiny tot gratitude list to make us understand that these so called tiny tot things moves us forward. 🙂
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Shanaya Tales
Very true, Sheethal. I don’t feel that anything is too small to jot down. If it makes you happy and you are thankful for it, on the list it goes. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…What Inspires You? #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Aathira
I express my gratitude in form of a happiness jar. Each day I write down the thing that made me the happiest on a scrap of paper and put it in the jar. By the end of the year, you would be surprised on reading some of it 🙂 An inspiring post, Shantala.
Aathira recently posted…G – Gouri
Shanaya Tales
Glad you liked it, Aathira. I recently came across the concept of keeping a happiness/gratitude jar. Sounds pretty cool to me. Planning to start soon. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…What Inspires You? #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Sulekkha
I used to write one but stopped, should start again. I am visiting my mom only because my husband took over the running if the house for two days while I am away in Mumbai. I am grateful for his loving support 🙂
Shanaya Tales
We are lucky to have extremely supportive spouses, Sulekha 🙂 Have a good trip. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…What Inspires You? #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Meghana
I think I should also start writing thanksgivings so tht these would make me feel better just like the feel-good smileys :-). These would help bring positivity in me. Thanks Shantala
Shanaya Tales
Glad you found it helpful, Megh. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…What Inspires You? #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
the little princess
I love the idea of a gratitude journal! I have never written one, but it would help in so many ways! Last year I picked up the idea of a happiness jar from a fellow blogger…and we do that at home even today! so this is one idea I definitely can use!
the little princess recently posted…G for Gratuitous love
Shanaya Tales
Glad you liked it. I came across the happiness jar recently. I am planning to start one. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…What Inspires You? #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Shailaja
Oh I did this last year and we also have a Happiness Tin at home where Gy and I periodically write down what we are happy for each day. In addition, I did a Happiness challenge with a parenting group I run on facebook and the daily messages were so thrilling to read <3 Good luck and keep it going. If you want to read my 'Gratitude Post' here it is:
http://momdiary.blogspot.in/2014/07/gratitude-in-tin.html
Shailaja recently posted…Gravity -#AtoZChallenge @AprilA2Z
Shanaya Tales
Thanks for sharing the post, Shailaja. Happiness Tin is a fantastic visual reminder. I plan to start one soon. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…What Inspires You? #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Swathi Shenoy
I have recently started maintaining a gratitude journal and it makes me feel so good whenever I read it 🙂 It is definitely a very good practice 🙂
Swathi Shenoy recently posted…God is a Gamer
Shanaya Tales
I agree. Thanks for stopping by, Swathi. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…What Inspires You? #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Nilima
Hi Good day! Once again lovely post. I have been writing gratitude journals on & off for 2-3 years now. It really is helpful. Puts things in perspective. I write every nyt before sleeping. I also write down my problems, things bothering me. They seem to work out in a few days 🙂
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Shanaya Tales
Yeah it does put things in perspective. 🙂 I am relatively new to this and I can already see the benefits of writing one. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Nilima. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…What Inspires You? #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Geets
I too made a journal last year.. writing down things that actually I was grateful for and it was simply an optimistic experience..!
Well written Shanaya.. 🙂
Cheers
Geets recently posted…G- Giggle
Shanaya Tales
Glad you liked it, Geets. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…What Inspires You? #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Parul
Writing a gratitude journal has been on my mind for quite some time now. Reading your post, I think I should just do it after A2Z 🙂
Great post!
Parul recently posted…G for Glass Ceiling
Shanaya Tales
Yes, do give it a shot. I did not think it would be as helpful as it turned out to be. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…What Inspires You? #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Suzy
Frankly I think gratitude can also go overboard. I prefer to pen down something I am truly grateful for when I feel that arise in me. Living in gratitude is great, but let’s not go overboard. too much of anything defeats its purpose. Hope that made sense.
Suzy recently posted…Love is in the Air – Gernination
Shanaya Tales
It makes perfect sense. I completely agree. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Suzy. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…What Inspires You? #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Shirley Corder
Hi Shantala,
Enjoyed this post. Yes, I do a gratitude journal but it is more a section of my normal journal (which I write in every now and then!) So it’s more of a gratitude list at the back of my journal. I give thanks for each item every time I open my journal, and cross out things that are no longer relevant. It’s cool to look back and see all the things that I’ve been grateful for over the years.
I enjoy the look of your blog, and I’ll be back.
Also taking part in A to Z as Out of Africa. Here’s my G: http://www.shirleycorder.com/?795
Shirley Corder recently posted…G is for Giraffe
Shanaya Tales
Glad you liked it, Shirley. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…What Inspires You? #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Alison Williams
Loving these posts Shantala – they’re both uplifting and thought provoking.
Alison Williams recently posted…#A-Z Challenge: G is for Guilt
Shanaya Tales
So happy you like them, Allison. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…What Inspires You? #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Shilpa Gupte
It is something that I have been doing since some time now. I thank god for the life I have, my family and friends. But, most of all, I thank god for the things that I used to take for granted. Things like, the relationship I have with my in laws ( that’s actually important, you know!), then, my ability to accept my weaknesses and work on them, for being blessed with skills that have helped keep me sane. These are the things that, on a day to day basis, we don’t take seriously, but, when you think of it, you realise how handicapped you would be without them!
Shilpa Gupte recently posted…A lesson learnt.
Shanaya Tales
I agree. I just started and already can see a shift in my attitude. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Shilpa. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…What Inspires You? #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Sundari Venkatraman
Hey Shanaya,
this is one subject so close to my heart. It is definitely not easy to cultivate the attitude of gratitude. We say “thanks” mechanically many times a day. But when do we mean it? I began writing my gratitude journal from December 11, 2013. I must say that my life transformed after that. I probably have missed 20-25 days when I haven’t written. I write 2-3 foolscap pages at times. My life changed completely in 2014. I just have to thank God for that. There are times when I get totally emotional when I keep listing the things I need to thank the Divine for. Awesome post! The need of the hour 😀
You might be interested in reading a blog that I had written in this connection: http://ascensionmiracles.blogspot.in/2013/12/bhagavan-answers-my-queries.html
Shanaya Tales
I read your post, Sundari. It does resonate with me. Extremely well written. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…What Inspires You? #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
sachin
interesting post indeed 🙂 i don’t have a gratitude journal but i just think about things i’m grateful for 😀 keep writing 🙂
Shanaya Tales
Glad you liked it, Sachin. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…What Inspires You? #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
vforchange
Loved the post. Keeping gratitude journal really helps in maintaining a positive attitude towards life 🙂
vforchange recently posted…Fiasco-(WR)
Shanaya Tales
Glad you liked it. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…What Inspires You? #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Vinitha
Lovely post, Shantala. I have been writing Gratitude post every month since last November. Last month I started with a gratitude journal. It is rewarding and much helpful to focus on the goodness of life. I have been posting about it daily on my blog but then stopped posting it online since I felt it isn’t exciting for the readers as much as it excites me. With travel on, I am skipping gratitude journal, but I will get on with it soon. I usually write it at the end of the day. I go through the entire in my mind acknowledging both the good and bad parts happened on the day and then write down those events and incidents which made me smile, or did not make me cry. To write gratitude notes, it is important to focus on the little things. That is what I learned through this exercise. When we focus on a simple things like a supportive husband we tend to not make a big deal next time we have a fight between us. From my experience, gratitude posts not only helps in maintaining a happy and healthy mind but it also helps in bringing that smile out on our face. Just write down all the big and small things happened on a day that made you feel grateful like having a bed to sleep on. We won’t take things for granted anymore. We will understand that how truly blessed are we even with all the short comings in life. 🙂
Vinitha recently posted…Life Taught Lessons – G #AtoZChallenge
Shanaya Tales
You said it so well, Vinitha. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…What Inspires You? #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Mee Magnum
I love the idea!! I’m going to do this.
I try to always have an attitude of gratitude. But now I’m going to write them down.
I really appreciate your article!
–Mee (The Chinese Quest)
Mee Magnum recently posted…“F” is for Flushing #AtoZChallenge @AprilA2Z
Shanaya Tales
Glad you liked it, Mee. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…What Inspires You? #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z