Gratitude Journal Basics

Every new year starts with a clean slate and new beginnings. Part of that new beginning for you in 2021 can be the start of a gratitude journal. Keeping a gratitude journal has been proven to have very positive effects on your life. It fills your heart and soul with positive energy. It focuses for a few minutes a day on what is right in your life rather than what is wrong. It focuses on your blessings. It helps you keep calmer, more fulfilled and more centered.

We are all challenged every day with a world full of negativity and sadness. Focusing on what we are grateful for, helps us create a calmer space around us.

Involve your kids! Ask them to draw something that they are grateful for! Then sit down and spend some time with them discussing it.

Create a family Gratitude Jar! Decorate a large jar. Leave pens and paper so that anyone can fill in something they are grateful for!

You can start your gratitude journal with things around your home or for under $5.00. You need very little to get started and no crafting skills at all! This is one of the simplest paper crafts to begin.

Try to get into the habit of doing your journal daily. Some folks like to start out at the beginning of the day to get their day off on the right foot. Others like to end their day by gratitude journaling. That way they go to bed calm and relaxed. You only need about 15 minutes a day and the results more than pay for the time used.

There are gratitude journals that you can purchase all decorated and with prompts in them. At the bottom of this post, we have listed several resources where you can get free printable sheets that you can put into a loose-leaf binder. The other option is to get an inexpensive journal at your local dollar or discount store.

Before you even get started with your gratitude journal, think about things that you can do to enhance your experience. You might consider lighting a scented candle, playing some music-create your own playlist, say a prayer, meditate, drink a cup of tea. Create a ritual that is a constant just to go with your gratitude journal. It will make this time that you spend on yourself more enriching.

Getting Started With Gratitude Journaling

Pick out a notebook blank or lined to journal in. It can be ruled or not. You can use a common ruled notebook or one of the composition books, It can be pages that you print from your computer and bind or place in a binder. It is all up to your personal preferences.
Personalize your notebook. If you don't like the cover, be creative and decorate it. Use washi tape, decoupage it. Use images or phrases that inspire you. Laminate it with clear packing tape. Be as creative as you want.
Write your name and the title of your journal on the first page. It can be something as simple as My Gratitude Journal or My Gratitude Journey. Do some drawing or doodling on your page. Make it your own.
Write prompts on the top of each page. You can date your pages if you would like. Prompts just help you focus on one aspect of your life that you are grateful for,
Decorate your pages. Free to bring your inner artistic self out. This is your book for you. No one will judge or be critical. Feel and explore your creative side.
Set aside someplace special to work on your gratitude journal. It could be outdoors, a special chair or just relaxing on your bed. Find someplace quiet where you can relax and relate.

You do not have to write a book every time that you journal. It could be a picture or a quote that expresses how you are feeling. One paragraph can speak more than a whole chapter. Aim for quality over quantity.

Adding Personal Touches To Your Gratitude Journal

Your gratitude journal does have to be just in writing. It can also include your personal touches. Add art to your journal, be creative! Not only does your journal need to be an outlet for your thoughts, but it can be an expressive place for your feelings too.

Use washi tape along the edges of each page to add more color.
Use gel pens and other colored pens to add color to each page.
Use stamps and stickers to add dimension to your pages,
Add pictures and images from the internet and magazines.
Use art journaling techniques on your pages.

How Often Should You Work On Your Gratitude Journal?

Like a lot of resolutions we make, we start out meaning to create good new habits and then as the months go on, our priorities outweigh the time we need to take for ourselves. Doing your gratitude journal everyday will cultivate the habit and over time, it will become a treasured part of your day.

But if you find daily journaling is just too much for you, then aim for a weekly entry. Aim for the weekend when you are bound to have at least 15 minutes to claim for yourself.

Have A Hard Time Doing A Gratitude Journal?

Keeping it simple will help you get into the habit of doing a gratitude journal. Each day write one thing that you are grateful for. Then write 5 reasons that you are grateful for that thing. Keeping it simple will help get you into the habit of doing this journal often.