I'd recommend it to anyone because...
- When you've had a really tough day, or week, it's good to focus on the good. It helps me to put things into perspective and to remember that I am incredibly lucky to have been born where I am. Although everyone will have struggles, even finding just one thing a day helps me to feel better about the tough day that I've had.
- It is a FANTASTIC way to keep some precious memories that you might have forgotten about otherwise. I know that I will keep these books for years to come, and that it will be a lovely way for me to remember things. A great example of these things, would be like a really nice evening in with the family, or a lovely meal out of which the memory might have faded eventually if I hadn't written it down.
- Being grateful is always a good thing. No matter where you are, there will be things that you will be grateful for - it might be a small thing, such as having a nice dinner, but it might be a huge thing like being grateful for getting a job, or having some nice praise from a work colleague, or friend.
- Getting into a positive mindset can be so beneficial. It's easier to deal with the trickier things you are faced with, and I find it becomes a good coping mechanism. I can accept that something negative has happened, but think about the good things that will come of it, or the other good things that happened to me that day. It's been amazing the change just keeping the journal has made for me in some situations!
This is a habit I've gotten into that I would recommend to anyone. I'm not as bad as I used to be, but I definitely focus on the negative too much, and the things we worry about. Starting a gratitude journal has, in a way, encouraged me so focus on the positives, and realise that you can have the worst day, but there is STILL something good about it.
Have you got a gratitude journal? Would you ever start one?