There are several ways to practice gratefulness daily. One popular method is by keeping a gratitude journal. It is similar to having a typical journal but instead, it focuses on cultivating gratitude as a part of your every day.
Consistency plays a vital role in developing a grateful attitude. The more you condition yourself into these acts and thoughts, the more you will apply them regularly. And so, allowing you to live with a better outlook in life.
Grateful people tend to be happier people. From present research, living a life of gratitude is associated with and brings positive emotions. It becomes much easier to fill yourself with positivity when you already have feelings of gratitude. With gratefulness, happiness becomes an additional benefit.
So, how much can a gratitude journal help you with achieving an attitude of gratitude? Next to understanding the value of being grateful in life, you should know the benefits you can get from keeping a gratitude journal.
Benefits of Keeping a Gratitude Journal
Different practices cater to varied individuals and how they prefer to incorporate gratitude in their daily life. With that, starting a gratitude journal comes with a different set of benefits. These are as follows:
- It gives you the freedom to decide.
Only you can dictate what to put on your gratitude journal. You get the freedom to choose how to express gratefulness each day, even when you are following a single practice.
For instance, you want to share about something you saw today, or you would like to list down what made you smile. Unlike with other practices, gratitude journals give you flexibility in what you do without a fixed format.
2. The act of writing helps you remember and think about it.
We tend to remember written entries more. Doing so allows our mind to focus on what we are writing, then emphasizing those thoughts. From this, you remember to be grateful each day. When you pay closer attention to these positive experiences, you’ll be able to spot them throughout the rest of the day.
3. It allows you to get creative.
A gratitude journal can work just like your typical journal. If you’d like, you can get as creative as you want with it. It allows you to express gratitude through other means such as pictures, prompts, unique entries, and more.
The freedom to express differently can make an impact on how effective the practice will be. When you can decide, it makes the task less restrained.
4. You can look back at your progress anytime.
When you have everything in a single space, it allows you to get a clearer view of your progress. A gratitude journal records every day as a grateful one, and so, looking back reminds you of the blessings you receive each day.
5. Consistently keeping at it improves your mindset.
Every entry you make in a gratitude journal can boost your mood. Focusing on the good things around you makes the negative seem much smaller than you thought they were. As a result, you’ll develop healthier and happier thinking.
How to Choose the Gratitude Journal for You
Before you start a gratitude journal, you will have to choose from a few types. But how do you know which one is the best for you? Listed are what you should consider in choosing the best gratitude journal:
- How much time do you want to spend on your gratitude journal each day?
For example, you might want to take notes daily for 10 minutes. In this case, you would consider a journal that you can quickly use.
- What is more comfortable for you to follow?
Some people find it better to write with a pen, while others prefer to type. Comfort plays a role in this, so be sure to choose what makes you feel comfortable.
- Does it fit your schedule?
Not everyone has a lot of free time. The practice should be enough to maintain consistency without interrupting your regular plans.
Pros and Cons of Different Gratitude Journals
Each type of gratitude journal will have its pros and cons. These are other ways to determine what will work best for you.
Daily Gratitude Notebook
The traditional type of gratitude journal is usually a notebook. With this, it’s easy to start since you can grab any note you have. With a notebook, you can easily adjust the format to your preference.
However, notebooks tend to be bulky to bring around. When in public areas, it might not be convenient to take a note and pen, especially when you’re looking to jot gratitude notes on the go.
Planner Type Gratitude Journal
Another notebook type of gratitude journal is a planner. It’s easier to follow because there’s usually a provided format already. That way, you can write your gratitude notes on it quickly.
Like the traditional notebook, these can be bulky to bring. Creativity is a bit more restrained due to the possible formats as well.
Online Gratitude Journal
The most convenient type would be online gratitude journals. These are often phone applications or online platforms like Three Things Daily. Because you can access them on the internet or through mobile, they are easy to take with you. Online platforms tend to provide options for you to record your gratitude notes. As an example, Three Things Daily has a gratitude wall.
A mobile app could be distracting sometimes. While being convenient, there may be instances where you lose track of your initial goal. Because they use technology, there may also be times when they are harder to access, such as when there’s no internet access or the app glitches.
Final Thoughts
There’s a reason most people recommend gratitude journals as a daily practice. It’s easy to follow and makes practicing gratefulness every day a fun experience. The varied types also make it flexible enough to cater to different situations, making it a friendly task for anyone at any time.
