The way I practice Gratitude
Gratitude is not a novel concept for most of us, however I wanted to share the consistent method I use that works for me and unlocked its compounding effects.
If you’ve not found a way that sticks, perhaps my method will–particularly if your best medium for self-connection and reflection is written form.
I spent years hearing from friends and influencers about how they practice gratitude and recite affirmations–such as listing three things they’re grateful for at the end of the day; and they all make sense and are doable, but those methods I tried to copy didn’t feel authentic to me…they felt performative.
Here is what I do, and it’s so simple
I have a dedicated self-work diary I keep, a (now battered and well-loved) Moleskine journal.
I typically open it up each morning and write two headings
“Highlight” and yesterday’s date–and I then write a highlight from the day before underneath it.
It’s so simple to me, and so sustainable. What I like about this method, as opposed to thinking about gratitude or speaking as your practice, is that you get to keep them. I’ve re-read my entries multiple times over the years and it’s a wonderful window into my life and mindset at that time.
These were not written for an audience, they are for me, but I thought I’d share some genuine photos of entries in my journal.
I hope they give you a private insight into my true gratitude journey.
THREE outcomes I didn’t expect
That it is often the little things that make my highlight.
Even in the darkest days, you can always find a highlight.
When you’re consistent you start to spot the highlight in the moment, which shifts my attention towards the positive throughout each day.