I tried gratitude journaling for a week and this is what I found out

Why Try a Digital Gratitude Journal in 2022?

2020 wasn’t a great year. 2021 still felt like it was tethered to the pandemic, like someone in a movie running away from a villain who manages to grab the back of their shirt right when they were about to finally break away. (Yes, like that.) But really, no matter how 2022 turns out, I know that seeking, highlighting, and celebrating joyful moments will be important.

Writing down what you’re thankful for is a healthy practice. There are plenty of studies, research, and anecdotes that laud the real benefits of practicing thankfulness. It’s even a little bit trendy – Ted Ideas has a 5 day gratitude challenge, and social media platforms are constantly encouraging “30 days of Gratitude” posts.

Are Gratitude Lists Trendy?

I’m always a little suspicious of trends even though I truly embrace a multitude of *basic* things: leggings, polaroid pics, the occasional slice of avocado toast. Let’s just say if a chai latte is basic, I don’t want to be complex. On the other hand, I can’t help but be a little weirded out when everyone is obsessed with something. Trends that feel like they were manufactured and perpetuated for no apparent reason. You know what I’m talking about: mason jars, neon colors, flossing (the dance move), fidget spinners, and a rotating host of random animals plastered on everything from toys to shirts and mugs (currently: sloths, owls, unicorns, llamas).

Random trends aside; the reality is that there are reasons that things like self-care, yoga, and kale become popular: they are actually good for you. Gratitude lists/thankful diaries fall into that category of having real health benefits.

Gratitude Journal Prompts

Why keep a Digital Gratitude Journal instead of a Handwritten One?

I love paper and pen journaling and writing – but I also have found that I really enjoy digital journaling with Zinnia. A few perks of digital gratitude journaling that I discovered:

     ◉ Digital photos. You can easily import a pic from your phone to add a visual memory from any special event that you want to include in your gratitude list. (These capture details in ways that my chicken scratch sketching cannot.)

     ◉ It looks polished. My handwriting is an uneven scrawl that even I can’t always interpret. A digital gratitude diary allows me to type my thoughts.

     ◉ Getting Artsy. I can use Zinnia’s stickers/pages/washi to add artistic flair to my page. It’s fun to write about my cats and then add little cat stickers to my list. I also love rearranging and moving page elements without tearing up or erasing mistakes.

     ◉ Easy import/export/screenshot/etc. It’s digital, which means lots of digital perks, like quickly grabbing a screenshot if you want to share with a friend or social media.

5 Things I learned from Keeping a Gratitude Journal For a Week

I’m obsessed with my cats, and that’s okay. My cats turned up on my list almost every day – the way they sleep, cuddle, pose, greet, exist.

Rituals are important. My gratitude journaling was a great way to stop and take a moment of reflection. I recommend turning it into a ritual: play some music, get comfy, and focus on the moment.

I’m embracing positive thinking. Gratitude journaling forced me to comb through my day and find things that make it beautiful.

Memory keeping. Each of our days is filled with enormous beauty, from minute details to big moments. Writing them down allowed me to acknowledge and savor the good things happening in my life. These include dates, events, and activities which I might otherwise have forgotten.

I pinpointed some of my daily joys. It’s easy to get caught up in the future: what my plans are for next weekend or next summer. Keeping a consistent log of gratitude allowed me to see the little things that happen in my life every day. For me that included: my cats, fun meals, reading books, and quality time with my s/o.

 Should You Try Gratitude Journaling?

Yes. Absolutely. Thinking about what you’re grateful for is a wonderful way to cultivate a positive mindset. I especially recommend making a ritual out of it: a cup of tea, a blanket, and 5-10 minutes fully dedicated to the process. There is something really eye-opening about forcing yourself to stop and think about the things that have gone right in your day or life.