You can tell when someone’s ‘thank you’ is genuine and when it’s a habit. Learn how to add a simple gratitude practice to your life to elevate your mood, inspire you, and bring blessings your way.
Love her or hate her, my first experience with a gratitude practice came from Rachel Hollis. Back in the day, she had a movement anchored in listing out one’s goals daily and expressing gratitude.
Now, this is not something that she came up with herself. But, she was a huge advocate for making this practice a regular part of her followers’ lives.
I see less and less of this practice, likely because I don’t follow her anymore but also because I’ve fallen out of it. In light of my take on my life, that changes now.
HOW TO START A GRATITUDE PRACTICE
Expressing gratitude does not require a skill. You don’t have to have a specific journal, time, place, or space. But, of course, having these things is what helps to create a habit, and habits create change.
Don’t overcomplicate your practice. You look at your life and express gratitude for what you have. Be as consistent as possible.
I feel the practice of writing what you are grateful for is better than saying it or thinking it. But sometimes, when that’s all you can do, that is better than nothing.
THINGS TO BE GRATEFUL FOR
Of course, you are grateful for your health, family, home, food, etc.
But I want you to look beyond the things that you should be grateful for and expand your thoughts in an appreciative manner:
- the colors of this morning’s sunrise
- your baby’s laugh
- the smile on your husband’s face as he looks at you over his coffee
- smelling pancakes that you don’t have to cook
- the sound of rain hitting the window on a morning you get to sleep in
- business ideas that have been pouring in since you decided to start a lifestyle business
- the five-minute walk you snuck in
ADDING GRATITUDE TO YOUR ATTITUDE
Habits are great. As much as my ADHD self struggles with “being told what to do,” I know that structure is the best way for me to accomplish anything these days.
So, find a journal or notebook that you designate for your gratitude. My journal is lined but blank. This way, I can write as much as I want to for things I am grateful for, followed by a prayer and my morning thoughts.
This practice has only one rule: show up and do it.
Get started right now. You’ll be glad you did.
