It’s gratitude journal prompts that can help us with our wellbeing.
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” This anonymous quote has never stopped resonating with me. In a society rife with consumerism and ‘owning more is better,’ the holistic key to happiness in recent years seems to more related to simply being happy with what you have.
Yes, it is easier said than done, but practising gratitude and training the mind to think in this way might not be as inaccessible and difficult as you might think. Life is a series of moments and our happiness depends on how we see these moments. If we look at them from a perspective of gratitude, positivity and abundance we will be much happier than seeing them from a more negative perspective.
So how do we change our thinking and practise gratitude?
There isn’t just one way to practise gratitude but gratitude journaling and journaling, in general, is one of the best things to do to get started. Incorporating gratitude journaling into every single day, through these gratitude journal prompts is a great reminder to think about what we are grateful for each day and in turn, change our perspective towards appreciating the little things in life no matter how small they are.
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WHAT IS PRACTISING GRATITUDE?
Gratitude is essentially being happy with, thankful and finding joy in the simple things around you.
In today’s busy, constantly connected world, it’s easy to compare ourselves to others (especially on social media) and to what they have which leaves us feeling empty, unsatisfied and unfulfilled. The fact of the matter is that most of us already have everything we need to make our lives happy. If you have a loving family, enough money to buy food and the things you need, a roof over your head then you’re already richer than you think. While many may argue that that’s simply not enough for a rich and fulfilling life, the key is how to look at both the negative and positive things in life.
By practising gratitude we become aware of the small things, the everyday things that we shouldn’t take for granted and by realising what we have and how much, gives us a space where we can feel rich, fulfilled and much happier than we would otherwise.
Practising gratitude and being grateful doesn’t mean however that you can’t dream of a better life and want more. Perhaps you’re in a good position currently but you want a better job, more money and to travel more and that’s ok. The key is to not take for granted what you already have, to realise it’s worth and be thankful and enjoy the little things in life.
There are many different ways to practise gratitude and you are free to choose your favorite way. Some of them include:
- Gratitude journaling and writing lists of things you are grateful for.
- Meditation around the positive parts of your life
- Having conversations with friends and family about what you are grateful and thankful for
- Noticing and appreciating the little things in life, like the taste of a wonderful fruit
- Giving something to someone or doing something for someone to express gratitude
- Prayer
Read more: The Ultimate Daily Self Care Checklist + Free PDF Download
THE BENEFITS OF GRATITUDE
More and more studies are beginning to show the correlation between gratitude or grateful feelings and wellbeing. Experiencing gratitude and appreciation generally tends to foster most positive feelings to contributes to better mental health and overall wellbeing. There are several benefits to practising gratitude that can have a profound effect on your life.
Better relationships
One of the top things we have to be grateful for is the people in our lives. Family and friends who are there for us when things go downhill, the community that supports and elevates us no matter what. Through the practice of gratitude, we begin to appreciate these amazing people and their positive effects on our lives and we begin to not take them for granted. Through this shift, we pay more attention to the people in our lives, give more of ourselves to them which in turn helps to build stronger and better relationships.
Another way to practise gratitude is through talking to members of our circle and community. By opening up to them and sharing what we are grateful for we become more vulnerable and open with the people we care about which allows us built better and stronger relationships based on appreciation and trust.
Improved mental health
Practising gratitude, which includes gratitude journaling has been linked to improved mood and the easing of stress and anxiety. By being more aware of the abundance of our lives and being thankful for it, our mindset changes as we begin to realise what’s really important. Focusing on those things might mean that those irrelevant things we worried about in the past- the ones that cause anxiety- no longer need our energy and attention.
Increase immune system
Stress, anxiety, leading a busy life all work to weaken the immune system. This alone can have impacts on general wellbeing as it will affect your response to viral infections and how quickly your body is able to fight off just about anything. A daily gratitude practice has been linked to decreasing stress and anxiety, and this along with a healthy diet and lifestyle can actually help to strengthen and increase the immune system- something we could all do with at this point in time.
Improved mindset and outlook on life
By practising gratitude we see life with more positivity, thankfulness and well, gratitude. This improved mindset to essentially look at situations and events in life with more positivity will also change your outlook on life. While this might take a bit of time to get the hang of fully, using these gratitude journal prompts today will, no doubt get you started and on your way to better mental health and wellbeing.
TOP DAILY GRATITUDE JOURNAL PROMPTS
Apart from the more obvious things in life to be grateful for such as health, family and friends, shelter and a job, it can sometimes be difficult to think of things to be thankful for. The truth is that you can be thankful for the smallest of things.
This is where these top positive journal prompts come in to make the process easier. Using them in your daily life can help you uncover things to be thankful for that you may not think of otherwise. They allow you to be in the present moment as well as recall positive past memories and experiences on a regular basis. With a mixture of gratitude prompts and gratitude focused questions, you can use these to help you expand your mind and help you discover all the great things you have to be grateful for.
- Write down the good things that happened to you today
- Who in your life are you most grateful for?
- What accomplishment are you proud of?
- What’s the mistake or failure that’s taught you the most?
- What’s a simple pleasure you enjoy every day that you’re grateful for?
- What artist/author/creator are you grateful for?
- Name a gift that bought you joy.
- Name your best experience from the last year
- Where is your favorite place in the world?
- Where do you go to seek comfort that you’re grateful for?
- What dish/food/cuisine are you most grateful for?
- List 3 memories from you’re childhood you’re thankful for
- What are your strengths?
- What small thing did I enjoy the most today?
- What are you proud of?
- Who is someone that’s helped you a lot in the last few years?
- Describe a true friend
- What’s your favourite season? How does it make you feel?
- Think about 3 things that fill your life with joy
- What makes you smile?
- What’s something you’re looking forward to?
- Describe your last vacation
- Look around your room and name a few things you’re grateful for
- What’s something you bought recently that bought you joy?
- What are three things you got done today?
- What went well for you today?
- What’re your favorite songs /pieces of music are you most grateful for?
- What talents do you have that you’re grateful for?
- What acts of kindness did you show/receive today?
- How was I amazing today?
- What made me feel alive today?
- What are your favourite hobbies?
- Name three things you love about a close friend.
- What recent positive changes happened in your life?
- Name at least one things that you did last year that you’re proud of.
- Name three people that have helped you through hard times
- What family member are you grateful for?
- What does the power of gratitude mean to you?
- Name 5 wonderful things that happened to you this month.
- When was the last time you felt happy?
If you’re ready to start the habit of gratitude journalling then you’ll need your own journal. Any notebook or bullet journal will do, but some offer extra support through structures, more prompts and gratitude journal ideas. Check out my favourite gratitude journals below. I have personally used most of these at some point in the past year and love their layout and how easy they are to complete and use. They are also super cute too.
Best-rated gratitude journal on Amazon: The 5- Minute Gratitude Journal. Get it here.
Best guided journal: Gratitude: A Day and Night Reflection Journal. Get it here. and Jump-Start Your Day with Gratitude. Get it here.
Best guided gratitude journal for women: The Gratitude Journal for Women. Get it here.
Best Simple Journal: Good Days Start With Gratitude: A 52 Week Guide To Cultivate An Attitude Of Gratitude. Get it here
What are your favourite gratitude journal prompts and ways to practise gratitude? I’d love to know- let me know in the comments below!
Related posts you might like:
The Benefits of Confidence and High Self Esteem & How to Achieve Them
Self Care Journal Prompts for Better Living
20 Simple Steps to a Healthy and Mindful Morning Routine
How Traveling Can Change Your Mindset and Vice Versa
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