Download pdf gratitude journal

So if you want to have that kind of life through expressing it in person and in this case, in writing, here are the tips on how to do it: 1. Choose what kind of Journal. Before you start to write anything you are grateful for like about the day or simply life, choose first where would you want to write it about? You could go traditional by writing your thoughts and feelings on a notebook or a literal journal, or you can type it down and save it in a file in your laptop. Either way, the important thing is that you know where you are comfortable in writing.

You may also see journal paper templates. Now that you have chosen which avenue to write your thoughts on gratitude on, it is now time to reflect.

What we mean by this is you have to think of the things you are grateful for before you write it and figure out the reason why you are grateful for this. It is necessary to gather your thoughts first. You may also see journal website themes. Start off with a limit. What we mean by this is that you should start thinking how many things or people you are going to thank on a particular day. You can set a goal that you would write 3 things to be thankful for today and increase the number by the next day.

But since life is flexible, you can also be flexible by listing down all the things you are thankful for the day. Just remember the happy emotions you have experienced and that can serve as something you can write about in your journal. You may also see photography journal templates. Be specific.

People often ask what it takes to be a good writer. That is the same in the gratitude journal you are going to write. What we are just trying to point out is that you could explain why and what were the efforts that you did in a manner in which it would not be too much.

You may also see inspirational journal templates. Practice seeing the positive in the negatives. You can use this in writing your entry and can be a benchmark on your way to becoming an optimist if done consistently.

This might require you to write the bad thing that happened, but do remember that no one else will read it because it is your own personal journal and you have the choice to hide it or not. There will always be a silver lining in a stormy moment, you just have to find it and once you do, write about it. The more you do that, it will become second nature seeing the positive things in everything. Appreciating the smiles and eyes of strangers in a deeper much more meaningful way.

The word gratitude is derived from the Latin word gratia , which means grace, graciousness, or gratefulness depending on the context. In some ways gratitude encompasses all of these meanings. Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives.

In the process, people usually recognize that the source of that goodness lies at least partially outside themselves. As a result, gratitude also helps people connect to something larger than themselves as individuals — whether to other people, nature, or a higher power. There have been countless scientific studies and research from renowned psychologists that have found people who maintain a regular gratitude practice or simply consciously focus on cultivating gratitude in daily life, experience a much greater quality of emotional well-being and physical health than those who do not.

Studies have consistently found that people who practice gratitude report fewer symptoms of illness, including depression, more optimism and happiness, stronger relationships, more generous behavior, and many other benefits. From research conducted by Emmons Lab in a long-term project designed to create and disseminate a large body of novel scientific data on the nature of gratitude, its causes, and its potential consequences for human health and well-being.

Gratitude is the most wonderful way to focus on what we have, rather than what we lack. Like anything else, this is a practice that has to be cultivated and exercised regularly for it to grow stronger.

Beyond simply counting our blessings every chance we get, there are a million and one various possible approaches to grateful living in our daily life — find the practices which will best suit your personal lifestyle, needs, and preferences and start reaping the benefits. As you write in your gratitude journal, try to challenge yourself to not write things you wrote about in previous days — this will make you look more deeply at all the little things that enhance your life and continuously you joy … a warm home to sleep in, a pantry full of food, your favorite movie, a call or text from a friend, your health, the running water in your home, the air you breathe, a kiss.

You can write in your journal just before bed, first thing when wake up in the morning, or just before you meditate or pray. Commit to keeping a journal for 30 days. What we positively focus our attention on expands in our life. Print out a bunch of copies and start writing. A thoughtful, heartfelt letter of gratitude written to someone to properly thank them, can not only boost your own sense of gratefulness but it can also strengthen your bond with them. Deliver it yourself or drop it in the mail.

Once in a while, write yourself a thank you note! You deserve it. Whatever your modality or practice, religious denomination or not, find space in solitude to cultivate gratitude. Gratitude walk — Just 20 mins through the neighborhood, in a local park, the woods, the city, a beach or anywhere in nature or even just around your office or home. As you consciously take each step, focus on the many things for which you are grateful.

Notice positive things, a beautiful tree, a smile from a stranger, take it in and acknowledge what you enjoy about it. Take time to reflect on your life. You home, the nurturing relationships from people that support you, the many comforts in your life, both material and emotional, the amazing body that allows you to walk, take in and experience the world, your mind that brings the ability for you to understand yourself and others. As you walk, take it slow. Pause take in a breath and be grateful for the air filling your body with life.

Acknowledge what you are feeling, the sights, sounds, smells and tastes and discover how many things you can be grateful for. This is a beautiful practice to truly appreciate the abundance always surrounding you and by alternative routes discover new things to admire. I hope this free gratitude journal helps you to feel more grateful, happier, and more positive during trying times! Please feel free to let me know in the comments below how the gratitude journal works out for you—or better yet, comment with something you are grateful for to spread the positivity!

Kelli Bhattacharjee is the owner of Freebie Finding Mom. When she's not goofing around with her son, she's busy blogging, or just hanging out with the family which usually involves listening to music too loud and having dance parties. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

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