#22
I first got the idea to start a gratitude journal from Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project. In her book, she writes about how this exercise was one of the ways she tried to boost her happiness. In her blog post on the subject she says that “One of the most common happiness recommendations is to keep a gratitude journal.”
A gratitude journal is a journal you keep (in anything really – I kept mine in a Microsoft word document online) and list a certain amount of things that you are grateful for each day. It can be general, involve people or events that happened that day, etc; it’s your journal! With mine, I decided to list seven things each day that I was grateful for and Gretchen was right; the gratitude journal really did boost my happiness!
A gratitude journal is a great way to focus on the positive, rather than what goes wrong with each day. After keeping the journal I started to notice that everyday I would become more appreciative of the small stuff. If the night before I wrote I was grateful that I got to have a great cup of coffee with my mom, the next day I’d notice how nice it was just sitting and watching t.v. with my dad.
Although like Gretchen, I stopped keeping up with my gratitude journal after a period of time, I’m really glad I started one and would definitely consider doing it again.
So does anyone else keep a similar journal or want to add this one to his or her bucket lists? I’d love to hear if anyone has similar practices!
Project Light to Life 
I have done this a couple times & loved it. A friend of mine that led a ladies home Bible study group gave us all journals she had made for us to fill in. It was in the month November – goal being to focus on what we were thankful for rather than the stresses that can accompany holiday season. We were instructed to attempt to not repeat ourselves. It was an excellent exercise!
Wow, that is such a great idea to do it with a group 🙂 But I agree, such a great exercise!
It was fun sharing all our lists with each other at the end of the month. It caused many “oh yeah! I didn’t think about that! Cool!” 🙂
Haha yeah that must have been really cool :)!
I love that you include volunteering and doing kind things for others as part of your bucket list. I think you give great ideas of simple things that others can do. And ultimately I believe its the simple kindness that matter most.
Aww thank you 🙂 And yes, I’ve found that sometimes it’s easier to do the simple things that might make others’ days and maybe that will lead to bigger things as in the movie “Pay it Forward”
I was also inspired after reading her book to do the same thing! I used an actual journal, and admittedly didn’t keep up with it regularly..But I found it was a great pick me up even if I only did it periodically for a few days in a row
Yes, I completely agree! Even when I’d slack off with it, the days I did write in it were great pick me ups 🙂
yup, have done something similar periodically, inspired by a friend years ago who suggested i make a literal response to the proverbial ‘count your blessings’ idea… I ended up writing a prose version rather than a list, which i’ve still got.
Wow, that’s a really good idea to make a prose version! And I bet it will be fun to look back on 🙂
Reblogged this on The Diary of Kay and commented:
What a brilliant idea! We might give this a go!
So glad to hear that! And thanks so much for sharing the post 🙂
I love this idea! Am starting one right now…sometimes it helps to note when the sunshine breaks through the clouds right? 🙂
Aw I’m so glad to hear that and I completely agree :)!
This is such a cool suggestion. It’s one thing to do it in your head, but to see all that you are thankful for on paper is so much more impactful. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, it’s definitely helpful :)! And of course!
I’m a firm believer in gratitude journals. Great post – thanks for sharing this!! Celeste 🙂
Yes, it was a lot of fun! And thanks for checking it out Celeste 🙂
Where was this picture taken it looks like Bequia.
Oh really? It was taken in St. Martin 🙂
Fantastic idea! Thanks so much for stopping by and following my blog! I’m enjoying reading yours and looking forward to following along!
Thank you! I’m looking forward to reading more of your blog too 🙂
I might try this! Thanks for the tip!
So glad to hear that :)!
Thank you for the reminder. This post alone has made your blog worth the visit, which means every other page that I find of value is just icing on the cake. Have a blessed and beautiful day.
Aw thank you so much Sean for your nice comment :)! Can’t wait to check out more of your blog!
It’s a good idea: Gratitude Journal… very, very well
Thank you so much Benito :)!
I always thought of starting one, but I never did. Now seems like a good time.
Yes, I’d definitely recommend it :)!
So true, keeping a gratitude journal helps me focus on the positive. I no longer do this since I accumulate so many books. Lol Now, I’m thinking about doing it online. I have so many things to be grateful in life. Great post!
Yes, I totally agree Melissa! But I found keeping it online was a little easier for me 🙂
So true! 😊
I have recently started doing this. Little things like appreciating a gorgeous sunrise, or the smile of a stranger as we pass. It really is the little things in life that matter… 🙂
Yes, I completely agree Ray :)!
A couple years ago, I wrote letters to the 5 people who most inspired me in my Christian life. But, this exercise could certainly done in the same way to those who most inspired us in life, mentored us at work, stuck by our side as friends, etc. I found myself tearing up while I wrote the letters and probably got more out of it than the people I mailed them to. It’s great to make our gratitude an action verb and have an outgoing exhibit of how we feel about people internally.
Wow, that’s such a great idea about the letters! I hope to do that soon 🙂 And I completely agree about making our gratitude an action verb!
I have one on my phone which I have a reminder for so I don’t forget. Do it every night, makes me smile before I sleep and appreciate my days 🙂
Wow, keeping it on your phone is a great idea; thank you for this suggestion :)!
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Thank you for sharing my post :)!
I haven’t kept a “journal”, however, I do write out what I’m thankful for at work in between calls. Keeps me positive. I like the idea of a journal, though. It’ll help me remember how much happiness and joy I’ve experienced throughout the year. Thanks for posting this!
Aw that’s such a nice idea about writing that between work calls 🙂 Thank you for checking out my post!
I’ve got my ‘memory jar’. Thanks for dropping by and checking it out!
A memory jar is also an awesome idea :)!
I love this idea. Thanks for sharing it. 🙂
I do this and love it! I only do 3 a day but I should definitely bump it to 7, because why not?! It’s great when you’re having a rough day to be able to look back and be reminded of the little things and how blessed you are.
Yes, I totally agree that it’s so helpful :)! Maybe I should’ve stuck with three though, so I could’ve kept with it! lol
I too this this is a fantastic idea. I connected with Ms Rubin on LinkedIn (because if my interest in writing and photography). Then I started following get blog.
I think the journal helps you to focus, get idea and practice!
Like me, I’m old(er), but have wanted to write and take photos for a long time.
So I will start tomorrow. – not like a diet, it’s just late and I still have my bible study to do….
Thanks for the reinforcement. I look forward to reading more from you!
Regards, Cathy
That’s great to hear you connected with her on LinkedIn! And I completely agree. Thank you for checking out my post and I look forward to reading more of your posts as well 🙂
Sounds like I was drinking in my post above. My iPhone is notorious for making mistakes 😉
Hahaha, it’s all good, I do the same thing on my phone :)!
http://kissmeunderthepinkblossomtree.wordpress.com/2013/06/26/shine-on-award/
Thank you so much :)! This post made my day!
I like the idea of that very positive and it sends out positive energy as well.
Hey there!!
I am a huuuuge fan of Gretchen Rubin and I have this little notebook where I keep jotting down everything worth remembering! My version of gratitude journal!!
You have a great blog here!! =)
Yeah, I love her project! That’s a great idea too 🙂 And thank you so much!
My gratitude journal changed me. I’m glad you posted this.
Yes, aren’t they the best 🙂 Thanks for checking out my post Julie!
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Thanks so much for sharing this post :)!
I do journal for for data, ideas and inspirations, and perhaps because I’ve been thinking about your post for a couple of days, I wrote some thoughts of gratitude towards my father to whom I wrote (back in 1996) a “Tribute.” The idea of a “Tribute” was inspired by a book of the same name, written by Dennis Rainey, and is a guide for children to give that special honor back to each parent.
Thanks for your thought provoking post.
Wow, that is so nice to hear! Thank you so much for your nice comment and I think that’s a great idea about writing tributes to people 🙂 I am definitely going to check that book out now and thanks for a great suggestion!
You have a wonderful blog! You definitely deserve the awards you have been nominated for. I’m looking forward to your future posts. I also want to thank you for your follow, and I hope you enjoy my blog as much as I know I will enjoy yours.
Aww thank you Silvie 🙂 I really look forward to reading your future posts as I enjoy your blog a lot too!
Your blog is really amazing 🙂 All your posts have made me smile,especially this one. Thanks for following my new blog and keep spreading the happiness.
Aww thank you so much for your nice comment 🙂 I can’t wait to keep reading more of your blog posts!
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Thank you again for sharing this post as well 🙂 I really appreciate it!
I write a blog post every Friday called “Thankful Friday” with a list of random things I’m thankful for over the course of the week. Some weeks, it’s a difficult post to write. So I like to idea of keeping a daily journal to capture those smaller moments. It has been a great way for me to let the stressful things in life roll off my shoulders and seem unimportant.
Wow, that’s an awesome idea :)! But I totally agree that it’s a wonderful way to push stressful thoughts aside!
A great place to have a gratitude journal is on 43 things. Then you get to participate in a community of people with the same goal. http://www.43things.com/things/view/333243/find-at-least-one-thing-each-day-that-makes-me-happy-and-record-it-everyday-for-a-year
(mine are at http://www.43things.com/people/progress/spudart/10020758)
Ohh this is awesome!!! Thank you so much for sharing these links 🙂
my pleasure!
too bad most of us focus on things in life that are viewed as essential but really are not. your blog reminds me on that. i especially like putting a good thought in a jar.
Yes, I completely agree! I’m so glad to hear that 🙂
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