For the last few months on my Instagram Stories I've been sharing my schedule with many of you ( hello 32,000 followers ) and received a lot of questions as to why I wake up, have a cup of coffee and enjoy writing in a gratitude journal. I wanted to share why I've been keeping a gratitude journal as well as how it's helped really change how I view the world.
One of the best ways to really show your gratitude or thankfulness on a daily basis is by keeping one of these journals close by. I've been journaling since I was young and I love being able to share my own thoughts, feelings and emotions in a small, sacred notebook. However, I took it a step further to help me remember the wonderful things around me by writing one 5 things I'm thankful for every single day. By making this list, it helps me to realize that even the smallest things of things ( a cup of coffee ) to the biggest of moments ( signing a huge contract ) is worth remembering and being grateful for.
Below are three big reasons why I think keeping one of these particular journals will truly change your life.
1. Improves your Self- Esteem- Being an avid journal writer for years has helped me to keep present within my own achievements and moments in life. By sharing my personal gratitude has really helped reduce my social comparisons and looking at how I'm viewing others and things around me. It truly doesn't matter that someone else just signed a huge contract with their dream brand because that was a goal of theirs. It doesn't matter that someone else just built a huge mansion and I built my own. My dreams and passion are just that, my own. Remembering this is huge to help me every day.
2. It Reduces Stress - Notice how I didn't say that it stops my stress because it's inevitable but it certainly has helped me reduce it. I'm taking better care of not only myself physically but mentally too. Feeling on these particular emotions of contentment and satisfaction is the key to keeping my brain in check. I feel a lot more grounded too.
3. It Helps You Sleep Better- As you can also view on my stories, I don't spend a lot of time writing in my journal however just spending 15 minutes either before you to go sleep or when you wake up is able to put your mind at rest or start your day on the right foot. I can't tell you how many times I've woken up on the wrong side of the bed and with just a few minutes of rewiring my brain to think of positive things instead of negative has been a game changer. I'm also less likely to stress over my worries and clear my mind for the day ( or a good night's rest if you're writing at night ).
Have you tried to use a gratitude journal?How has it helped you?
