Appreciation Journal: Writing for Gratitude
Appreciation journal writing promotes positive thinking
In honor of Thanksgiving, here’s a post from the archives on bringing gratitude into your journal writing routine.
You might call your journal a notebook or diary. It’s the handy place where you store your thoughts, ideas, experiences, and your work, either on paper or in an electronic file.
A journal is an ongoing log, usually with dated entries. Some journals are topical (dream journals, travel journals, freewriting journals), while others are left open to explore just about anything.
Many topical journals are meant to improve the quality of life. For example, people who are working to lose weight might keep a diet and exercise journal. Folks who are trying to better themselves might keep a self-improvement journal. Parents may keep a journal of their child’s development. But there’s another type of journal that suits just about anyone, writers and non-writers alike, and that is the appreciation journal.
Journal Writing and Gratitude
The appreciation journal is a daily log in which you write something, or a list of things, for which you are grateful.
Here are five reasons why documenting what you’re grateful for can be beneficial:
- A great way to start your day. It’s not always easy to roll out of bed and propel yourself into the daily routine. Some days it’s downright dreadful, like when you know you have to attend a long, boring meeting, take a test, or see the doctor. If you write in your appreciation journal in the A.M., it will jump-start your day on a positive note and a day that starts off good is less likely to turn sour.
- Good for the soul. The process of thinking about what you are grateful for and expressing your gratitude just makes you feel good. This could be contagious, and other people around you might absorb some of that positive energy. This makes life better for everyone.
- Promote positive thinking. Because the things for which you’re grateful are the positives in life, when you focus on them, you are directing your attention away from the negatives. According to some experts, concentrating on positive things draws even more positive things to your life.
- Generate new thoughts and ideas. This is especially useful for creative people, like writers. Anytime you force yourself to sit down each day and think about something, the result is a string of thoughts and ideas. Some of these will be great fodder for articles, stories, and poems.
- A great way to end your day. When it’s time to wind down and shift into relaxation mode, thinking about the good things in life will help you clear your mind and put you in a lighter, brighter mood. That’s a great way to prepare for a decent night’s sleep!
Over the years, I have kept an appreciation journal on and off. I find that after a few weeks of daily gratitude in my journal writing, being thankful becomes second nature. Though some days there’s not enough time to write down my thoughts, I try to start off each day by thinking about at least one thing that I’m truly grateful for. The result? My attitude is more positive, it’s easier for me to put a smile on my face (even when I’m dealing with adversity), and minor annoyances tend to roll off my shoulder. I just feel better overall.
Try it for yourself and see how beneficial journal writing can be!
Do you keep an appreciation journal or any other kind of journal? Have you ever written a list of things that you’re thankful for? What are they? Do you spend much time on your own journal writing?
Melissa Donovan is a website designer and copywriter. She writes fiction and poetry and is the founder and editor of Writing Forward, a blog packed with creative writing tips and ideas.
An appreciation journal sounds like a great idea. There must be a few minutes each morning to spare for something like this. I imagine it will do wonders to increase the positive vibes in daily life.
I think this is a fabulous idea. I’ve been meaning to do this for years! I believe I’ll make this a part of my day as often as I can. Since the new year is upon us, it’s the perfect time to start.
Blessings,
Michele
Oprah has been preaching the benefits of this for years.
Daily expressions of gratitude have magnified my readership, that much is certain.
Too many writers write to get. Try writing to give for a change. You’ll be amazed!
I’m grateful for you, Melissa! And you, Michele. And Rebecca, you too! It’s all part of the great Circle of Life. What goes around, comes around.
Wayne C. Long
Writer/Editor/Digital Publisher
Yes, I originally got the idea from watching an episode of Oprah.
I’m like you, Melissa, I’ve kept an appreciation journal on and off. Lately, and for quite awhile, Its been on and I find doing it makes a huge difference. After I write morning pages, I now write down my successes from the previous day, which can be tiny little things or huge ones, and then I write down what I’m grateful for. My rule is to come up with at least three things, but generally I have way more than that. It really is a fabulous way to start the day!
Isn’t it amazing how much it changes one’s entire attitude? What’s more amazing is that as you willfully practice gratitude, it increasingly becomes habitual. After a while, looking around and seeing plenty to be thankful for is just second nature. And it promotes happiness, which, to me, is a pretty important goal in life. Thanks Charlotte
I’d love to start my own appreciation journal! It’ll be a great way to remind me to always count my blessings and never dwell on life’s misfortunes. And you’re right, Melissa, an appreciation journal is like food for the soul. It gives you a sense of happiness and fulfillment to know and be reminded always that there is so much in life to be thankful for
That’s awesome. Do come back and tell us how it’s going, and good luck
I have had a habit for probably 10-12 years of reviewing my day as I go to sleep, and naming five things that happend that day for which I’m grateful. Lately, I’ve been doing something similar in the morning. Before I get out of bed, I try to think of three things I’m looking forward to doing. I think this is a fantastic habit, and I’m grateful for it!
Also, my husband and I have a “check-in” with each other every night. First, we appreciate something about each other, then about ourselves. Then, we share our biggest challenge of the day (with the rule there are no comments or trying to fix it). Finally, we share a way God surprised us that day. It doesn’t have to be a nice surprise, necessarily, but it’s a way of trying to find where God is active in our lives.
It’s really rich.
Blessings,
Rose
Hi Rose. That is a fantastic habit. What a great way to start and end your day.
Hi Melissa,
Thank you for this lovely suggestion. I’m going to integrate this practice into my journal writing. I’m smiling as I write this, so, hey it’s starting to work already.
Warmest Christmas wishes,
Margaret
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For some reason we grow up wanting to receive but it’s actually much more gratifying to give. Giving thanks, for example, is so very gratifying
It’s happy-making. Hehee.
Okay, I have just taken on having a journal. It works really well. I love writing so Much. I do it everyday and enjoy it. You have helped me quite a lot melissa. I hope to continue to do what I love.
Congratulations! Keeping a journal is a wonderful experience. I hope you enjoy it and keep it up for a long time
Thanx Melissa, A journal is really helping me with my writing. I have one for my feelings and one for writing. I am only quiet young but really enjoy writing
That’s wonderful Jess. It doesn’t matter how old you are – once you can wield a pen, you can be a writer