If you knew you couldn’t fail, would you start today?
When starting your journey toward gratefulness, it can be confusing knowing where to start. With the pressures that come with school and life in general, it can often seem like a daunting task to start prioritizing self-help methods. But once you start seeing results, it will soon become clear that practicing gratitude is one of the best things you can do for your happiness. It only requires you to show up for yourself and the motivation to continue!
If you’re in need of some guidance, here are some examples of how you can spend a day in gratitude:
In the Mornings…
To get the most out of your day, it is important to set intentions in the morning of how you want the rest of your day to go. What kind of day do you want to have? An easy reminder and way to practice this is by putting a sticky note of affirmations on your bathroom mirror. This way when you’re brushing your teeth or washing your hands, you can say these affirmations to yourself, as reminders of what you are thankful for and capable of. Not only will this start your day off in a positive tone, but it will also help kick-start your thoughts to look for the good in the day. As well, this trick even works when getting ready for work, walking to school, or taking a shower. It’s as simple as repeating to yourself 10 things you’re grateful for. It can be things as simple as being grateful for your dog, the midterm you just passed, your favorite movie, or the sunset peering into your apartment.
If you are able to, get outside! Whenever I spend time in nature, it allows things to be put into perspective and ground myself once again. I then get to carry this feeling into the rest of my day, focusing on the things that really matter in the world. You get to decide how your day will go!
During the Day…
Keep up with this positive mindset! Pay attention to the little things life has to offer you that day, and don’t focus too much on complications. When you remind yourself of the sweet things in life, you are able to take mundane or tough subjects and turn them into something special, or simply fun. This gratitude allows you to change your perspective on life, in whatever way you want it to look.
Surround yourself with other people who are full of gratitude! Having a community of people to hold you accountable in your self-help journey, helps with motivation on days when everything seems impossible.
If you do experience any negative emotions, allow yourself to be present in your feelings by honoring the present moment, and then allowing yourself to move on. Look at the bigger picture, and ask yourself what you can learn from this situation. There is always a brighter side; avoid carrying negative emotions with you when you have the choice to find something to be grateful for.
And at Night…
Start journaling! Reflect on the day and make a list of everything that made you happy and grateful. If you find this to be trying, there are prompts on the internet to help guide you; these include gratitude lists, goal setting, negativity releasers, intention building, etc. This allows you to come back to center yourself, and get rid of any negative energy that might’ve been built up throughout the day. Look at life through rose-colored glasses and take note of all of the beautiful little things that happened to you, which are the most important part of your day.
Don’t hesitate to share with somebody what went well in your life today. When eating dinner with your roommates, share with one another a few things that went well or gave you joy. And allow them a space where they can share these things with you, as well. This helps to implement the idea that there is always good in the day, if you choose to see it. Illuminate positive energy and gratefulness with the people around you, and you’ll create a supportive environment around gratefulness.
Although the steps are quite simple, it can be challenging to keep the motivation alive. Don’t give up on yourself! Gratefulness is already within you, you just have to practice it.