6 Ways to Create a Gratitude Ritual (that isn’t Journaling)

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Cultivating an attitude of gratitude is a practice that takes, well, practice. Some days it’s super easy to access those feelings of appreciation. Other days…not so much.

Now, more than ever, we can recognize our blessings of health, financial stability, friends and families. But what about when your child is misbehaving? The home is overrun with mess? Work is completely overloading you? Can you still access your gratitude then or is the glass only half-full when things are going your way?

Research shows gratitude can improve both your physical and mental health. It can help you have better relationships, handle difficult situations and generally lead to a happier life.  It also opens you to the Law of Attraction. When you are able to find genuine appreciation for all you already have, you will more quickly be able to manifest more of what you want.

It’s amazing if you can bookend each day with a written documentation of 10 things you are grateful for. I’ll admit it’s a struggle to keep a formal journal going. So if it’s not working for you, please don’t give up.

It’s time we debunk the idea that a Gratitude Journal is the only practice that counts. Here are some alternatives to expand your consciousness around thankfulness and find a practice that sticks IRL.

  •  Use TECH

    • Make a new “Gratitude” note in your phone or create a collection of voice memos. Set a recurring alarm in your phone to remind you and each day record the first 2-3 things that come to mind.  It actually can be that easy.

  • Have FUN

    • If you are more visually inclined, a gratitude jar is a great option. Grab a bunch of fun colored paper scraps and each day write one thing to add to your jar. Watch what happens when you literally see your gratitude expand.

  • Get CREATIVE

    • If creativity is your jam, then the sky is the limit. We’ve done hand-written gratitude leaves in the fall and made paper hearts for each day in February. Any and all ways to add a fun and meaningful spin to gratitude is amazing.

  • Get a PARTNER

    • Brainstorm who you can enlist to be an accountability buddy and then make a ritual you can do together. Always have Sunday night dinner with your family or a Wednesday walk-date with a friend? Add a gratitude element to something you already do regularly and you are more likely to stick with it.

  • Make it the VERY FIRST THING

    • Before you get out of bed in the morning, say a silent moment of thanks for your night’s sleep (good or bad), in a warm bed, in a safe home. So many people don’t have this everyday luxury we often take for granted.

  • Make it the VERY LAST THING

    • Few things can send you off to a more peaceful slumber than acknowledging all the sweetness you experienced in your day. This is also a beautiful practice to incorporate into your kid’s bedtime routine.

Cultivating more gratitude has been one of the most positively impactful shifts in my life. I’d love to see which of these ideas that you incorporate into your daily routine.