If you are looking for ways to build more joy into your day, there is no better way to do this than to reflect on what you are grateful for. Once you discover this, you can find ways to incorporate more of those moments into your daily life.

 

GRATITUDE JOURNALS REFLECT WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY

One of the most rewarding things I have done for myself was to start a daily gratitude journal. Over the years, I have started a gratitude journal more times than I would like to admit, but I never stuck with them for very long. Last year I decided to try again, but this time around, I was determined to stick with it. I made a conscious effort to set myself up for success.

I knew if I wanted to stick with a daily gratitude practice, it would need to be simple, enjoyable, and flexible with my schedule.

MAKE A DAILY GRATITUDE JOURNAL PRACTICE SIMPLE

• Every day I answer one question in my gratitude journal-What is one thing I am grateful for from the day before. I commit to answering just that one question every day.
  
  
• It’s easy to think back on yesterday and reflect on something I’m grateful for. Sometimes it’s a specific moment I spent with my family. Other times it’s using my favorite mug with my morning tea.

• Another simple gratitude journal hack is to set your gratitude journal out where you’ll see it and have time to write in it.
  
  
• Do you have a few minutes to write while you drink your morning coffee? Set it by your coffee pot the night before, so it’s waiting for you.
• Do you have a few minutes before you go to bed? Place it on your nightstand, so each night, you can write in it.
  

MAKE A DAILY GRATITUDE JOURNAL PRACTICE ENJOYABLE

• Buy a fun pen and only use it for journaling.
  
  
• Pick out a beautiful journal that will spark joy whenever you pick it up.
  
  
• Create a journaling space you love.
  
  
• Find a cozy spot in your home.
• Fill the space with what you love-lavender spray, a comfy blanket, a plant, etc.
  

MAKE A DAILY GRATITUDE JOURNAL PRACTICE FLEXIBLE

• Every day, in less than five minutes, you can answer the same journal question-What is one thing you are grateful for from the day before.
  
  
• Then on days, you have more than five minutes to devote to your daily gratitude journal practice; you can dive deeper.
• When I have more time, I like to reflect on a wide variety of what I’m grateful for. For this, I use journal prompts.
• If you are interested in having free weekly journal prompts delivered to your inbox, subscribe below to my newsletter.

WANT TO KNOW MY NUMBER ONE HACK FOR STICKING WITH YOUR DAILY GRATITUDE JOURNAL PRACTICE?

Don’t date your entries. Or if you do date them, just add the year you wrote it. This will eliminate any internal guilt you feel if you miss a day or two. I know, in the past, I threw in the towel on my gratitude journal because I missed a few days. Now, if I miss a day, I give myself grace and start again the next day.

A REWARD OF STARTING A DAILY GRATITUDE JOURNAL PRACTICE

An added benefit of writing about one thing you are grateful for each day is you’ll start to see patterns emerge when you look back on a month of your gratitude journaling.

 -Psalm 118:24 (ESV) This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.-

 Knowing what you’re grateful for shines a light on what you love.

Pin it for Later