Gratitude Journaling

Hey friends!  For one of my religion classes, we were given an assignment to do a twenty-one-day gratitude challenge.  It was a great experience that helped me grow as a person.  It made me more grateful for both the good and the bad things in my life, which was a happy surprise!  You'll see what I mean if you take on this challenge.  I highly recommend it!  I've included the seven gratitude exercises below.  Best of luck with the challenge!  I'd love to hear how it goes for you! :)

THREE BLESSINGS: DAYS ONE, EIGHT, AND FIFTEEN

Write down three good things that happened to you today because of someone else.  Why did these positive things happen?  Who can you attribute them to?  How did they make you feel?

TO WHOM FOR WHAT? DAYS TWO, NINE, AND SIXTEEN

Think of five things that you are grateful for and the source of those good things. Who provided this to you? You can write it as "I am grateful to ____ for ____."

THE GIFTED SELF: DAYS THREE, TEN, AND SEVENTEEN

Think back over all the gifts you have received in your life. They could be talents, people, natural beauties, or random acts of kindness from others. What is the value of these gifts to you? Then think on how you can give this gift to others and record that in your journal.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE: DAYS FOUR, ELEVEN, AND EIGHTEEN

When a positive event is about to end, we are often more grateful for it than we were before. Choose an activity, event, experience, or relationship (let’s call it x) that may be ending soon (in one to three months). Given how little time you have left with x, write about why you are grateful for it.

THE ABSENCE OF BLESSING: DAYS FIVE, TWELVE, AND NINETEEN

Think about how a positive event or experience in your life might never have happened or been a part of your life. By taking away something good from our lives, we can see how we have taken it for granted. Write about the ways this positive thing may never have happened.

THE GRATITUDE LETTER: DAYS SIX, THIRTEEN, AND TWENTY

Write a letter to someone detailing the good things they have done for you and why you are grateful to them for it. What did they do? How did it change your life? How often do you reflect on what they did for you? You may choose whether or not to send the letter.

BAD TO GOOD: DAYS SEVEN, FOURTEEN, AND TWENTY-ONE

Remember a bad experience in your life and reflect on how you got through it. Write about the good things that came from it, however small they may be. How have you grown from this experience?

Here's the book it all came from!