30-day Gratitude Journal Challenge

I finished my 30-day gratitude journal challenge for June, and I am creating magic for myself.

We all know that writing a gratitude list can be transformative. It can slowly change some negative energies in you and around you. I have been listening to some self-development, happiness, meditation, and motivational podcast. I find Optimal Living Daily and the Happiness podcast to be instrumental in the commencement of my journal. Their themes mostly talk about gratitude and the power that it brings to one's life. What is gratitude? It is a feeling of appreciation or thanks. A very simple word yet a rich one. It is an antidote to the negative roller coaster of emotion you had the entire day. A new perspective starts sprouting, and we all know that there are many benefits to creating a gratitude journal.

"Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."-Marcel Proust

So how did I start writing one? Like I have said the inspiration was from all the podcasts I have been listening to. Some suggested writing 3-5 things that you are grateful for daily while others suggested to even write just one. Although, I know that there are more things that we should be thankful for every day and it all depends on how you see it. The list can be long and I focused mainly on doing 3-5 on my list. I find that despite how crappy my day was when I go home and I start writing things I am grateful for it changes my outlook. It provides me that glimpse of positivity which later on improves my mood. My “not so bad day” is turning out to be a “good day.”

Counting blessings should be an easy task. In the beginning, I was having difficulty starting to write one. If I backtrack, I have a little notebook that one of my friends gave me and I have used it as my gratitude journal. It was not a consistent endeavour but I managed to fill that notebook from February 2019 to May 2020. Then, I took on the 30-day challenge the following month. Coming up with the list was a difficult task and what came to my head was like, “I pray that should be enough.” However, when I look at it, writing it down became a therapy for me especially when I read back to the things I have written down. Good day or bad day I wrote something for the last month's challenge. Gratitude is an emotion and grappling it can be complicated, as well. It can be demanding especially when you are not having a great day.

"Wear gratitude like a cloak, and it will feed every corner of your life." - Rumi

There is a lot of things that I am grateful for and I have learned that even the little things that I was writing made a difference with my day. I have written names of people who have surrounded and showered me with love and support. I feel blessed. I know who the constant people that I can count on. In one of my entries, I find that the big things are the ones that give me clarity in life. Those abilities that I have can be mind-boggling. Developing an attitude of gratitude is something that we should start doing. It is a step forward to achieving peace and happiness. It is not everything but it gives you a different mindset that can be your armour when things are rough. By finding things to be grateful for gives you a complete mind shift; therefore, opening yourself up for abundance.

Anyone could start their gratitude journal and it all depends on what works for you. Find the best method that you find easier. I have notebooks lying around in my apartment, so I use them. There are gratitude apps that you can find on your phone. You can even use your notes on your phone or your calendar. The list does not have to be crazy long. Start with one or two and you will see a difference because the benefits are legitimate. Let us acknowledge and appreciate the goodness and beauty in life. It will become a habit and it will be easier to maintain.

Here are some of the entries on my journal:

• I was a bit moody but thankful that I can ignore and shake it off.

• Nap

• Awesome mango float from Christine.

• Wednesday sushi night.

• Cynthia and the aloe vera plants she gave me.

• Chat with Kuya, Biba, Love, and Jellie.

• Phone call with Kristine.

• Podcasts

• FB convo with the ladies

• Yummy bangus and empanada.

• Another day of being alive.

• Massage

• Job

• Days off

• One of the residents at work who told me "You are a terrific bonus here."

• Mama and Papa visiting in my dreams. Sad but happy.

• Canada

• Friends

• Leaving my shift on time.

• Ability to be reasonable even if you are so aggravated.

• Poepoe

• Sunshine

• Queenie and Clazier

• Left-over food for dinner

• My little garden

• My lily in full bloom

• Supportive Manager

• Office day. Hallelu!

• Music of Lizzo that reminds me I am a fierce bitch and negative people are not part of my bigger picture.

• Anita who reminds me I am a leader.

• Mya and Daxton

• Clean water

• Reopening of establishments

• Hugs from friends...finally

• Sunset

• Mahal (my car)

• Complete care staff. Awesome day!

• Grammarly

What is on your journal list? If you have not started, try the 30-day challenge.