How a Daily Gratitude Practice Changed My Life

The world is pretty hysterical right now. It seems like everything is getting canceled in attempts to contain the coronavirus. Beyond just the fear of this pandemic, there’s widespread disappointment as plans change and trips are canceled. It’s easy to get caught up in it all.

I thought this week would be the perfect time to share something that has helped my mindset immeasurably in the past six months or so. Now more than ever, it’s important to keep a positive attitude and fight off the anxious thoughts. A daily gratitude practice can provide a consistent reset and refocus us on what has gone right.

What is a daily gratitude practice?

This practice is super simple. All you have to do is list a few things you’re grateful for every day. I write down five because my Start Today Journal prompts me to, but choose whatever number you want. (Three and five are pretty popular.) Actually writing them down helped me actually stick with the habit, especially at first.

Your list can include anything.

Sometimes I write down really deep things like an able body or my relationship with my family. But my list often includes things like hazelnut coffee, my cozy sweatshirt, or date night with Hugh! Honestly, the list of things that make me smile on my About Me page appear in my journal weekly. Your list does not have to be super meaningful or profound – just list things you’re thankful are in your life, happy happened, or you love! Don’t put any pressure on yourself to include the obvious things.

I found myself thinking of things to put on my list throughout the day.

It only took a few weeks of this daily practice to start making mental notes of things to write down on the next day’s list. I noticed myself thinking “oo, that’s a good thing for tomorrow’s entry – I’m grateful for that!” The habit quickly spreads beyond just when you sit down to do your gratitude practice. Gratitude becomes part of your mindset.

The daily practice changed how I react to negative situations.

This is a pretty big claim, but I truly believe my reactions to bad news or challenges has changed since making gratitude a bigger part of my life. I don’t mean I gloss over negative things, but I definitely sit in the pain or negativity for a little shorter. I can pull myself out of a pity party or anxious thoughts by thinking of things I’m grateful for (research actually backs this up). My daily gratitude practice allows the flip in perspective to flow more freely.

Sounds easy enough, right? I promise adding this simple daily practice can change your life, too. We control our thoughts and mindset!

What are you grateful for?

What would you write down right now? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!