4 easy steps to get yourself into the habit of daily gratitude practice
I practice Gratitude every day. It can be when i wake up, as i go about my day or before i go to sleep. I have found it a great way to move from a negative mindset to a more positive mindset and it just takes a few minutes to do. But what is the best way to start?
When i first started this practice it was a bit start stop because i needed to find what worked for me. So, having tried a few ways of doing it i'm sharing 4 easy tips to get you started.
Tip #1 -The Practice of Noticing
Start to notice all the good things in your life. Many of us are so focused on what we don't have that we often don't see the good things we already have. So from today start to notice the good things that are coming into your life or that are already present. Make an action plan of noticing at least 10 things you are grateful for. It can be something really simple such as a lovely cup of coffee in the morning or that it's raining so the grass is being watered. And then notice after a week or so that your brain automatically starts to notice positive things! You will have started a lovely new habit.
Tip #2 -Keeping a Gratitude Journal
This tip takes the practice of noticing a little bit further. It involves taking action on the things you have noticed and writing then down in a journal. Why is this important? Well, when we take the time to write down what we are grateful for, this gives us time to think, pause and reflect. The noticing and then writing is like double gratitude so in a way you get to double your joy.
I have a lovely notebook which i keep especially for writing down my thoughts but you can use anything at all that suits you. Extend what you have noticed by writing down Why you are so grateful for them.
Tip #3 -The power of saying Thank you!
These are two simple words that can change everything from how you interact with people to how people respond to you. When was the last time you said a heartfelt thank you to someone? Try adding 'Thank you' to your gratitude practice and notice how this changes your relationship with people.
Tip #4 -Affirmations. This was the game changer for me!
I must admit that when i first started affirmations i didn't really get them, however, when i started to repeat my affirmations every day and committed to them, i started to see a big difference in what i attracted into my life. I'm going to share with you one of my affirmations which i say every day. 'I have abundance in all areas of my life and i'm truly grateful and thankful for all the good i receive'. And for me this is true, i have an abundance of air to breath, there is food in the fridge, i have a lovely family, nice neighbours, i live near the countryside where the fields go on for miles and miles. Because of this affirmation, i do attract abundance into my life because my mind is set up to look for it. It doesn't need to be a big thing to be abundant, it can be all the little things too.
So now i have shared a few ideas to help you get started on your gratitude practice. Be patient, find what works best for you so that you stick to it. My favourite way to practice gratitude is through affirmations. I wonder what your favourite way will be. Good luck with your gratitude practice :)
Let me know how you got on and share your comments below :)