With the new year quickly approaching, it’s good to start thinking about resolutions and while we’re at it, we might as well try to implement practices into our lives that create happiness. As we all know, dance makes us happier, but have you thought about adding a Gratitude Journal to your daily tasks? This might be especially helpful through competition season when emotions tend to run high.
What is a Gratitude Journal? A Gratitude Journal is a personal diary in which you write down things that you are grateful for. The idea behind it is to help you focus on the positive aspects of your life, instead of dwelling on the negative. By making a habit of writing down what you are thankful for, you may begin to notice more things to be grateful for in your daily life. It is a simple but powerful practice that can help to cultivate a sense of gratitude and happiness.
12 Writing prompts to feel gratitude towards other people:
- Who is someone in your life who has supported you through a difficult time? Write about how their presence or actions made a difference in your life.
- Think of someone who has taught you an important lesson. What did you learn from them, and how has it impacted your life?
- Write about a time when someone showed you kindness unexpectedly. How did it make you feel, and what did you learn from the experience?
- Who is someone you admire and why? Write about their qualities that you find inspiring.
- What is a specific moment when someone went out of their way to make your day better? Reflect on how that person’s actions impacted you.
- Think about a time when someone forgave you for a mistake you made. Write about how their forgiveness affected you, and what you learned from the experience.
- Write about someone who has made a significant positive impact in your community. What did they do, and how did it make a difference?
- Who is someone in your life who always knows how to make you laugh? Write about a time when they made you feel happy and grateful.
- Write about a time when someone offered you valuable advice or guidance. How did their wisdom help you, and why are you grateful for their words?
- Reflect on a time when someone believed in you, even when you didn’t believe in yourself. How did their encouragement make a difference in your life?
- Who is someone in your life who consistently shows up for you? Write about how their reliability has impacted you, and why you are grateful for their presence.
- Write about a time when someone surprised you with a thoughtful gesture. How did it make you feel, and what did you learn from the experience?
12 Writing prompts to cultivate gratitude for experiences:
- What is one experience from your past that you are grateful for, and why?
- What is one experience from your present that you are grateful for, and why?
- What is one experience from your future that you are looking forward to with gratitude, and why?
- Who is one person that you are grateful to have experienced life with, and why?
- What is one place that you have visited that you are grateful for experiencing, and why?
- What is one hobby or interest that you are grateful to have discovered, and why?
- What is one challenge or obstacle that you have overcome that you are grateful to have experienced, and why?
- What is one opportunity that you are grateful to have been given, and why?
- What is one thing about yourself that you are grateful to have discovered through an experience, and why?
- What is one way that an experience has helped you grow or develop, and why are you grateful for that growth?
- What is one experience that you have had that has taught you a valuable lesson, and why are you grateful for that lesson?
- What is one positive aspect of an experience that you may have initially viewed as negative, and why are you grateful for that perspective shift?
12 Writing prompts to feel gratitude towards for yourself:
- What are three things you’re proud of yourself for achieving in the past year?
- Think about a time when you overcame a challenge. What did you learn about yourself in that moment?
- Write about a specific skill or talent you possess that you’re grateful for.
- What is something kind you did for someone else recently? How did that make you feel about yourself?
- Reflect on a time when you received positive feedback from someone. How did their words make you feel about yourself?
- Write about a personality trait you possess that you’re grateful for.
- What is something you’ve done for yourself recently that you’re proud of?
- Think about someone who has had a positive impact on your life. How have they helped you grow and learn more about yourself?
- Reflect on a time when you made a mistake. How did you learn from that experience and grow as a person?
- Write about a challenge you’re currently facing. What strengths do you possess that will help you overcome it?
- What are three things you appreciate about your physical appearance?
- Reflect on a time when you took a risk. How did that experience help you grow as a person?
I hope these journal prompts help you cultivate a sense of gratitude! Remember to be kind to yourself and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how big or small.