Here is my Guide to Gratitude Journaling 2021! This guide has already made significant changes in my life (future posts to come).
And, in this post, I have an actual page from my gratitude journal and real-life examples on how to go about making journaling a part of your life.
My goal is to convince you, if you are not already, of the powerful effects of practicing gratitude.
Guide to Gratitude Journaling in 5 simple steps! And how to make it a habit you will easily stick with in 2021:
1. Choose a journal
Anthropologie 
Anthropologie
2. Benefits of using a gratitude journal
When we take time to be more mindful and appreciative of our lives it can yield remarkable results. For example, winter is my least favorite season because it is cold as hell and dark most of the time.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes that combo brings my mood way down. However, I find that I can shift my low mood when I focus more of my energy on what I am enjoying most.
What I am most grateful for. What is making me most happy in that moment, day and etc.
For example, durning winter, sometimes my husband and I take our children on “night walks”. Usually, after dinner, we get a few flashlights and go for a walk around the neighborhood for about an hour.
Plus, it feels so good to get the benefits of exercise while also having fun! Sometimes we even end up at the park! Above all, being more aware of the good in our lives has been scientifically proven to increase overall happiness, relaxation (which can lead to better sleep) and most importantly, mindfulness.
If we are mindful and grateful for what we DO HAVE, it feels good. Right? Have you tried it? It doesn’t have to be anything profound and can be something as simple as:
-A sunny day.
-A warm cup of coffee.
-A surprise phone call from a loved one.
-A walk in the park.
-A house to come to.
3. Set aside a small amount of time for writing everyday
For me, the best time for me is 30 minutes to an hour before bed. Plus, thinking positive, happy thoughts before dozing off to sleep has a direct effect on your subconscious.
Did you know that our subconscious controls our thoughts? Want to know why that matters? It matters because our thoughts control our mood and feelings. And our feelings control our actions and behavior, which has a direct effect on how we live our life.
And, therefore, what we get out of life. One of my favorite quotes is, “We are what we think about most of the time”. Generally think good thoughts and generally you will feel good.
Think negative thoughts, consequently, feel negative and poor moods.
Scientifically proven, our subconscious mind forms our habits and controls 95% of our lives. Change those thoughts and you will change your life.
Our subconscious will not argue with you about whether you are right or wrong, true or false. Your wish is its command.
Furthermore, I have read a number of times that a 1/2 hour before bed is best (ideas and emotions get locked into our subconscious during sleep, so you might wake up with fresh ideas for something you needed help with! You could even ask your subconscious a question and wake up with the answer!) time for influencing your subconscious.
4. Keep the journal near your bed
Keeping the journal near your bed will help you to easily transition into the routine you will need for writing each day. Repetition creates new habit.
However, pairing an already existing, pleasurable, routine (getting into bed) with a new habit will make adding it much easier!
5. If you’re ever feeling down, go back to read old entries!
Ever have a day when you feel absolutely bummed? I do. And when I do I like to read a bunch of my previous entries to remind myself and think of and focus on happy things, which works fantastically!
***BONUS: How to get your children in the habit of gratitude and developing positive thinking!
Want to teach your children how to develop the habit of positive thinking? Here is one way:
I usually chat with my children, while they’re in bed, asking them about the good their day. In contrast, if they start to talk about something that is not so positive, I acknowledge it and listen to them express what they’re feeling.
However, whenever I am able, I steer the conversation back to what they enjoyed most about their day. I start by asking them to tell me about 3 good things that happened that day.
My goal is to get them in the habit of thinking about good things before dozing off to sleep.
More reading on gratitude and scientific proof can be found here.
I hope you enjoyed! Please share with a friend!
Talk soon.
Love,
LaRie
xo