Vanessa de Largie | Topic Media | July 7, 2012
One finds themselves thinking about what they don’t have or what they haven’t achieved.
Although it can feel good to wallow in the ‘poor me’ pit, staying there is actually very negative and stops you from moving forward.
I have been up and down myself lately, which has made me sentimental.
A few days ago, I decided to get out my journals (all 150 of them) I have been journalling since I was 12. When browsing through the boxes, I came across a Gratitude Journal from years ago.
A Gratitude Journal is an exercise book or journal where you write down all the things you are grateful for.
In the particular journal I am talking about, I did it every day for a year.
For me, it was a really positive experience, it dug me out of my hole and helped me moved forward in a more positive mindframe.
I have given an example below of how one of your ‘gratitude pages’ may look.
I am grateful that I had my Mum and Dad in my life for as long as I did.
I am grateful that my neighbour was able to change my bike tyre so I can start riding again.
I am grateful that I am naturally creative.
I am grateful that I have an open mind.
I am grateful there is half a bottle of red wine in my liquor cabinet.
I am grateful for all I have achieved so far.
I am grateful that my housemate bought coffee and tomorrow morning I can indulge in a cup.
The above is just a guide.
There are no rules, on how many grateful meditations you write or how often you write them.
It is a kind of therapy that I found helped me, when I was in a dark place and thought it may help others.
You don’t have to be depressed to start a Gratitude Journal either, many people use them as a self help tool for their lives. Most importantly, have fun doing it.
Perhaps add illustrations or write each entry in a different colour.
Maybe you could be childish and add some stickers or be romantic and spray some perfume on the page.
Live in your journal. Love in your journal.
Be grateful in your journal. Be grateful of your life.
Because one day, you won’t have one and that’s a fact.