I’m a millennial, and today I was thinking about how much more I hear the word “gratitude” now than I did when I was younger. As a society, I think we are more aware of gratitude, but many of us still wonder how to practice gratitude on a daily basis. If you’re like me, you want it to become a natural, daily part of your life, not just something you do and think about around Thanksgiving. So, today I’m sharing three gratitude exercises that are low time commitment but high impact.
How to Practice Gratitude
Gratitude Share Out at Dinner
If you are wondering how to practice gratitude as a family, consider starting a daily gratitude share out at dinner. This is my favorite gratitude exercise because it starts a positive conversation and develops a healthy family habit. Each night at dinner, my husband, daughter, and I share three things that went well that day. After a while, you’ll begin to note little things throughout the day that you want to share that evening.
Daily Gratitude List
My favorite personal gratitude exercise is a gratitude list—shoutout to Rachel Hollis for introducing me to this concept. I’ve adapted it to fit my needs. I keep a small journal beside my bed, and each night I list 10 things I’m thankful for from that day or week. Big, easy items don’t count. I don’t write, “I’m thankful for my husband.” Instead, I focus on specific things. For example, “I’m thankful my husband unloaded the dishwasher today.” (*Round of applause!*) This daily gratitude exercise lowers my anxiety, helps me focus on the positives, and reminds me of what is truly important in life.
Gratitude Letter or Card
Have you ever received an unexpected thank you note, letter or email? About once per year, I get an email or LinkedIn message from a student I have helped in the past thanking me for my time, a class I taught, or a mentorship I extended. These letters are like gold to me. It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I truly understood the magnitude of such messages, though. I thought I was just a sappy teacher who liked these messages more than the average person. But then, I had a mentor share just how much my gratitude meant and how they had changed the course of what had been a trying month.
An excellent gratitude exercise is to write a letter or send a card to someone who has had a profound impact on your life lately in big or small ways. I did this exercise recently. I wrote a specific letter (one page) to my daughter’s daycare teachers. Last year was a challenging one for me as my husband was away. Without their love, care, and consistency in both my life and our daughter’s life, I would not have been able to maintain a healthy life professionally or personally. While I didn’t write this letter for a response, the messages I received in return were great blessings.
Gratitude Exercise Benefits
Gratitude exercises will bring so much positivity to your life. When you begin practicing gratitude, it might not come naturally; however, after a week or two, you’ll notice your entire outlook shift from one of scarcity to one of abundance. Suddenly, you’ll start to notice the good before the bad and recognize the positive parts of your day as they are happening. Enjoy these gratitude exercises and the benefits!
Confidence and Gratitude
Confidence and gratitude are closely linked to me. I find I have less anxiety and more confidence when I practice gratitude. For more on this topic, check out my blog post on confidence! Also, for another recent seasonal post – check out my recent post on Inexpensive Gift Ideas for Coworkers!
