#Grateful: Gratitude Lists
Feeling like you're in a slump? Or just not as joyful as you could be? Try a gratitude list.
What is a gratitude list? Quite simply what it sounds like. It's a list of things you are grateful for and it's an excellent way to start out any day. The first time I was asked to do this I honestly thought it sounded like one of the silliest things ever, because obviously I know I have things to be grateful for, BUT actually writing those things down does something very powerful.
Gratitude lists can turn your mood upside down, but in a good way. My first gratitude list quite literally brought a smile to my face, and now whenever I do them I feel much less negative throughout my day. Nothing seems quite so dire when you start your day by writing down the things you are so lucky to have a part of your life.
Ok, so how do I do it? Simple. Just write. Think of it like a free-association exercise from your high school creative writing elective, when the teacher just made your write whatever popped into your head. Take a pen and paper and write down anything that pops into your head that you are grateful for and yes, sometimes ridiculous things come out, but that's ok. For example, my gratitude lists have included such silliness as coffee, cat cuddles and a gloomy day.
I urge you to try it, just for 3-5 minutes every morning and see how you feel.