Every morning I start my day by writing a few things I’m grateful for in a journal– also known as gratitude journaling. I adopted this practice during the pandemic, which happened to coincide with a personal issue I was not at all thankful for if I’m being honest. Sure, I could have mumbled and complained and created a burn book about things not going right in my life. But, instead, I started writing down those things that I truly was glad to get out of bed for. This practice has continued every morning, ever since.
Some days, I’ll be honest, the things I choose to write down might seem silly. There are things like my favorite sweatshirt, my space heater, and coffee (well, that one’s not actually silly). Of course, there are the sentimental things like family and friends. Sometimes, I write that I’m thankful for my gratitude journal. That might sound a little meta, but I am truly grateful for it, because it’s changed the way I approach life.
Does gratitude journaling count as a healthy habit?
Yes! According to Tal Ben-Shahar, a happiness and wellness expert, keeping track of things you’re grateful for on a daily basis can improve mental health, and can open you up to more good in your life.
Still not convinced it’s a healthy habit? There’s more! According to a series of studies conducted by the Greater Good Science Center at Berkeley University, folks who maintained a gratitude practice sleep better, have less fatigue, clearer skin, and lower levels of inflammation. The benefits are endless!
When should you do your gratitude journal?
I start my day with gratitude journaling, but it can be equally effective to end your day with it. What matters most is that you adopt a practice and stick to it. It doesn’t have to be a set number of items, either. Some days you might have one thing you’re extremely grateful for and other days you might have a laundry list of little things that you’re glad to have in your life.
Gratitude begets more gratitude
Making gratitude a habit has made me more open to the idea that everything in life is something I can be grateful for. No, I’m not going to tell you that I’m some beacon of gratitude that writes “losing my keys” or “burning dinner” in my journal like a toxically positive psycho. But, I have begun to get curious about circumstances instead of viewing them as bad luck. In that way, I become thankful for the possibilities that the circumstances brought. For example, losing my keys could save me from an accident by leaving the house 10 minutes later. Burning dinner means I get to try that new restaurant that opened down the street. Of course, this doesn’t fit every single circumstance. But, those little ones that could have derailed me because of an inconvenience can be viewed with a better attitude.
Life is hard, and that’s a fact. But, we all have little and big things in our lives to be grateful for. Looking for those moments of gratitude can help us remember not to lose sight of what we’ve got. Journaling about those things not only keeps them in view, but can be a beautiful reminder as time continues.