Including a FREE Daily Gratitude Journal template into your regular routine is easy and there are many benefits! You’ll find everything you need here to make a successful journal and become more grateful in the process.
Now is the perfect time to jump on the journaling train! It feels good to recognize how many great things are happing in your life. Sometimes you have to dig to see the good, but I promise, it’s there somewhere. Keep reading to see how to get started with this FREE printable daily gratitude journal.
📝 Why You Should Start a Journal
It’s Easy | Journaling is a simple task that only takes a few minutes each day. There is no need to make it a difficult or drawn out process.
Great Mental Health Boost | Whether you have been struggling with mental health or you want to prevent problems, a gratitude journal is great! Looking for the good that has happened each day makes you realize that you have a lot to be thankful for. It also helps reduce stress and allows you to feel more calm.
Encourages Self Awareness | You are likely to become more self-aware and gain clarity on who you really are. This will open your eyes and helps keep you from feeling sad or blue.
Step For Forgiveness | Whether you are wanting to forgive yourself or others, some researchers believe that a journal is a perfect way to start the process. While forgiveness may take more than a journal, it’s a good way to balance your positive and negative feelings.
🖊️ Benefits of Journaling
I could go on for days about the benefits of journaling, but I wanted to at least hit the top reasons for you!
- Reduces Stress
- Helps You Achieve Goals
- Encourages Self-Confidence
- Boosts Creativity
- Helps You See What To Be Thankful For
- Boosts Your Mood
- Lowers Anxiety
- It’s Calming
- Clears Your Mind
- Can Boost Immune System
📓 What Should I Write
You really can’t go wrong when you are writing in your daily gratitude journal. It’s all about how you feel and what YOU want to write about. No one is going to grade you or even read it unless you want them to. Here are some tips on how and what to write about:
- Make it personal. Really dive deep here and make the journal entries as personal as possible. This will allow you to really focus on what you are grateful for and you can read it over and over.
- Be specific. While you don’t need to write a novel, it’s important to explain what you are thankful for. Maybe it’s your kids, your spouse, or your job. Explain what specifically makes you feel this way. Is it that they did something nice to you? Or they made you feel special? Whatever it is, explain it in detail.
- Don’t forget the small stuff. Maybe it’s something as small as a friendly person paid you a compliment at the store, or you earned an extra day of vacation at work. This things may seem small, but they really add up when it some to being grateful.
📖 How Often Should I Document?
Ideally, you should write in your journal every day! Spend 15-20 minutes once a day to reflect on the events that took place. I recommend doing this each day before you go to sleep. You should be as relaxed as possible and in a quiet location where you can think without interruption.
Putting it into your daily planner or somewhere that you can have it to jot down your thoughts at any given time will also help.
🔖 Journal Prompts
I wanted to share with you some prompts to help you get started. Once you begin writing in your daily journal, it becomes easier to come up with ideas. Start brainstorming your ideas by using the {free} dot grid paper.
- Who are you thankful for today?
- What was the biggest hurdle or challenge you faced today?
- What did you love most about your day?
- Did you learn anything today that was helpful?
- What item in your home brings you joy, and why?
- Name three things you love about yourself.
- Name an experience where someone helped you and how it made you feel.
- What is something good about your job?
- Describe something that makes you feel good.
- What made you smile or giggle today?
- Talk about your favorite smell, taste, or sound.
- What do you love looking at more than anything?
- Describe a time where a silver lining has happened to you.
- What are you looking forward to?
- Describe your strengths.
- Explain what you love about your partner or spouse.
- What is your favorite childhood memory?
- What makes you feel good about yourself?
- Who is the person in your life you can always trust?
- What accomplishments have meant the most to you?
- Explain your hobbies and why you enjoy them.
- What is your favorite season and why?
- How have you pampered yourself recently?
- Describe the last time you enjoyed nature and why you loved it.
- Make a list of all the things you are looking forward to this year.
- What family tradition do you cherish the most?
- What has a stranger ever done for you that left a lasting impression?
- Explain your favorite things about the most recent trip you took.
- What is your favorite thing about modern technology.
- Describe some wisdom that you would want to pass along to others.
- Describe your first good memory growing up.
- What smells take you back to being a kid again?
- What’s something you’ll never forget about a loved one?
- Explain what you love about your siblings, parents, spouse, or kids.
- What book did you read recently and enjoyed? Why did you like it?
- What are some things that make you feel happy?
- Talk about the best gift you have ever received.
- What are you most looking forward to that is on your bucket list?
- What is something you could say to cheer someone up?
- Pick 3 things you could learn about someone you don’t like.
📱Phone Apps to Help
365 Gratitude
Complete challenges each day to win medallions with this extremely helpful app. This app encourages you to feel accomplished, inspired, and brings you words of wisdom along the way.
Reflectly
This app will give you prompts and helps you learn about being grateful. It encourages you to be kind and empathetic of others as well. Reflect upon your day while becoming more grateful and happy.
Day One Journal
This app makes it easier to become mindful and has some great features. Plus, you can add reminders and even get notified of an upcoming appointment.
Gratitude
This mobile app includes quotes, affirmations and daily reminders. It’s convenient to have at your fingertips whenever you need it!
🖨️ Grab it Now
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Hi!
Ginny Collins is a passionate foodie and recipe creator of Savor and Savvy and Kitchenlaughter. Indoors she focuses on easy, quick recipes for busy families and kitchen basics. Outdoors, she focuses on backyard grilling and smoking to bring family and friends together. She is a lifelong learner who is always taking cooking classes on her travels overseas and stateside. Her work has been featured on MSN, Parade, Fox News, Yahoo, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and many local news outlets. She lives in Florida where you will find her outside on the water in her kayak, riding her bike on trails, and planning her next overseas adventure.
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