A part of the Radical Humans Series
Practicing gratitude has been shown to increase happiness and fulfillment, decrease anxiety, and enhance wellbeing time and time again. For the longest time I used a journal called The Five Minute Journal to practice gratitude, and found it totally worthwhile. It’s well made, thoughtful, and easy to use. I just kept it on the dining room table so it was there first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
But these days I do something even simpler. I speak my gratitudes out loud. There is something even more powerful in my experience about giving voice to what you are grateful for. This isn’t new or revolutionary, but I think it is worth mentioning as a friendly reminder. I talk out loud pretty much any time I’m writing anyway. This might be because in human design I’m a self projected projector, so hearing my own thoughts out loud helps me understand them better. But you might give it a try anyhow, even if you’re not interested in human design.
Why not start now? Say out loud three things that you are grateful for and that have a positive impact on your life. I’d encourage you to be specific, and even better if you can make it timely. In addition to things that are always present, like your home or your car, it can be powerful to make note of small things that happened in the past 24 hours that you’re grateful for. Like the mail carrier delivering a package, the food you ate for breakfast, or the person at the store who held the door for you. Whatever it is you’re grateful for is wonderful, take a moment now to cherish it.