What is a Gratitude Journal & a Free Printable
~ Originally published February 20, 2019 ~
One of my favorite layouts in my bullet journal is my Gratitude Log. I know that I'm calmer and more centered since I started recording these little things that I am grateful for every day and it’s been such a help to me that I wanted to give you one too!
Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in our everyday lives and forget the good things. A gratitude journal helps you focus less on the negative things in your life and more on the things that bring you happiness.
I consider myself a "glass half full" kinda girl but this was pretty hard at first and I had to look for the things I was grateful for every day. Now, they seem so obvious to me that I wish there was room to write a couple more every day.
THE IMPORTANCE OF A GRATITUDE JOURNAL
The importance of gratitude journaling has been well documented. One study found that after a two-week gratitude journaling intervention, participants reported less negative emotions and more positive emotions. They also showed greater optimism and fewer physical symptoms.
Keeping a gratitude journal is not just about being happy. It can also help you to be healthier and more productive. It’s important for your mental health because it helps you to be more grateful for the good things in life and less focused on what is going wrong.
HOW TO START A GRATITUDE JOURNAL AND USE IT CONSISTENTLY
A gratitude journal is a powerful tool for personal growth and development. It helps you to stay focused on the good things in life and it also helps you to feel more grateful.
The following are some of the best practices that I have found after researching and writing in my own gratitude journal religiously.
Start with a goal or intention.
Write down three things that you are grateful for each day.
Write down what you learned from your day, even if it is just one thing.
Be specific about what you are grateful for and why.
Write in your gratitude journal at least once per week, but ideally every day.
FREE PRINTABLE GRATITUDE LOG
So many of you have mentioned that you love the idea of bullet journaling but don't have the time or aren't creative enough...no more excuses! You can get the gratitude log in the image above for free right here ↓
DOWNLOAD HERE
ALL ABOUT GRATITUDE
I recently discovered how to take my attitude of gratitude to the next level. Paul over at All About Gratitude has so many great tips and I wanted to share them with you. My favorite is his 10 Day Negative Thought Fast. I’ve been giving it a go for the last few days and it’s been a big help.
Want to start a gratitude journal but now sure how? I have the perfect thing…
BEFORE YOU GO:
I hope you’ve found these journaling tips helpful. Let me know in the comments below why you love journaling.
JOURNALING SUPPLIES I RECOMMEND
Even though you only need a pen and paper, here are some of my favorite journaling supplies if you want to check them out:
I like to use a few different notebooks for journaling but my favorite is this Leuchtturm1917 Softcover. I prefer the squared pages but you can also get the dot grid, lined, or blank formats.
If you would rather use a spiral binding, these notebooks are the best! I love that they come in a three-pack so I always have an extra one on hand. These are also squared format but I think they are available in line and dot grid too.
To be honest, my go-to pen is a simple, classic black Bic but when I want something a little fancier I use either use these Muji Gel Pens or these Micron Sakura Pigma.
Get creative with your journaling and add some Washi Tape, Stickers, or if you’re artistic you can draw your own doodles.
Sometimes I like to add photos to my journaling and over the years I’ve tried a bunch of different printers. I started out using this Fujifilm Instax Mini but it wasn’t very practical to carry around all the time. Since the quality was so much better when I use my phone for pictures I decided to splurge on the Canon Ivy Mini Printer. It connects directly to my phone through the app and easily prints on 2x3 sticker photo paper that I can add right to my journal page instantly.
THE ULTIMATE LIST OF PRODUCTS, APPS, TOOLS, AND RESOURCES I USE ON A DAILY BASIS
Here are a few more journaling posts you might like:
Printing Tips:
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