Boost positivity in your life - keep a gratitude journal

Keeping a gratitude journal is a great option to explore life.

True I am not the first person to come up with the idea, but that still doesn't make it less of a great possibility, if you are stuck and look for a change in mindset and life focus. Journaling is an awsome way to get back on track and regain life purpose and more happiness on a daily basis.

Lots of businesses offer great gratitude journals with beautiful layouts, prints and coulours. I have also bought various ones the last couple of years and have had both positive and dissapointing experiences.

My point is there is absolutely nothing wrong with the beautiful, yet very often expensive, journals on the market. All you actually need to get started is a plain book with blank pages. No need to order a specific journal online or buy it in your local bookstore. If you prefer to,  you can also keep your journal on your phone, if you are more into writing on a screen instead of using a pen and paper.

 It's often said thatit takes twenty-one days for a new habit install. Allow yourself to commit the time and then explore how it makes you feel and if it has any impact to your life quality.

Once you have the the book and pen in place, I recommend that you take the following into consideration:

Decide to be consciously more grateful

Only start journaling if you really want to implement the change. Let your feelings and beliefs shine through, when your write.

Stay open and don't limit the number of things to write

I used to tell my mentees to note at least 3 things in their gratitude journal daily, but unfortunately that advice stopped some from writing as there were days they had less to note than others. If you pressure yourself too much, you risk to miss out on the joy and gratitude that naturally show up, when you write about the things and experiences that has made you feel positive about life.

Find a specific time every day to journal

I try to take a moment at night to note what I have been grateful about during the day. A specific routine should not prevent you from writing during the day,  when something turns up that makes you feel happy or grateful take your time to note it, if you have the possibility. The experience easily slips away if you are not aware.

Focus on people and relationships rather than stuff

Ofcourse it's entirely up to you, but honestly people and relationships tend to infuse warm, kind and loving feelings in the long run more than new shoes and things do.

Joyful memories of the past is a source to a joyful moment in the present

When you have been journaling for a while,  you will discover the great gift that you have given yourself. The notes you have made give you the opportunity to look back at positive moments and feelings in your life, especially on a hard day where everything may seem difficult and sad.

Take your time

Let the moment you journal be a positive experience and not yet another thing to tick off your daily to-do list.

Challenge yourself and explore your imagination

Challenge yourself and try to expand your awareness of what you fell grateful about. Try not to note the same things everyday and allow yourself to appreciate the variety of things that life offers.

Let your creativity blossom

Some of us like words, but don't let words limit you. One of my mentees has included photos, postcards, museum and concert tickets in her journal. Have fun, write, paint, draw and stay open to your own resources and ideas when it brings you joy and gratefulness.