How to Keep a Gratitude Journal

And why it will make your life better.

A busy schedule can leave you overwhelmed and a little cranky. It’s like the feeling you get when you’re hangry and waiting for dinner to be ready. A cluttered schedule means a cluttered mind, which can bring on logistical and emotional stress for even the most organized person.

Fortunately, there’s an easy solution for helping yourself feel more positive during busy times throughout the year. All you need is a Rocketbook notebook and just 5 minutes a day. It’s simple: keep a gratitude journal.

How to Get Started

There’s no one right way to keep a gratitude journal.

A gratitude journal is a simple reminder to yourself about the things you’re grateful for, that’s all.

Feeling daunted by the idea of a journal? Don’t be! You don’t have to write a novel or even a paragraph. Start by writing just a few sentences or even words or even just random letters. Actually, let’s make a few words the minimum requirement. One day your gratitude journal might be as simple as:

• The tree outside my office window
• My friend, Tara
• Hazelnut coffee

Don’t pressure yourself to be deep or insightful. Just take the good as it comes, whether it’s mundane or profound. This straightforward list technique is called bullet journaling, and to learn more about it check out How to Bullet Journal with Your Rocketbook.

Find Your Gratitude Space

Need a place to put your gratitude? We’re here to help.

First, devote some space in your Rocketbook to the gratitude journal. Even if you use your notebook to plan your life and you can only dedicate two pages, that’s plenty! Feel free to label these pages with smart titles as a mental barrier to keep other pesky notes from creeping onto these pages meant for gratitude journaling.

Now that you have a physical spot to write down what you’re grateful for, you need some time. To create a habit that will last, pick a slot in your day where 5 minutes will always be available for gratitude journaling. It could be right when you wake up, after you get ready for bed, or during you’re commute (on a bus, train, or space-ship). Choosing a time that works will ensure you keep up the habit, and you’ll start to look forward to the positive energy boost your daily gratitude journaling brings.

Reflect on Your Gratefulness

Gratitude can last forever, and with Rocketbook, so can your journal!

Since you’re using a Rocketbook notebook, you have the power to keep an electronic gratitude journal to look back when you need some positive energy. At the end of every week, scan and upload your notes to a “Gratitude” folder using the free Rocketbook App. Like looking back at old pictures, checking back in on old gratitude journal entries will make remind you of all the good in your life. Unlike looking at old pictures, you won’t be embarrassed by awful hairdos.

In addition to lifting your spirits, keeping a gratitude journal has some concrete benefits too! Did you know that people who practice gratitude are physically healthier than others? Grateful people even sleep better! Plus, by expressing appreciation for your life and loved ones, you’ll strengthen the bonds of your relationships as well. There’s really no downside to cultivating a habit of gratitude; it’s good for your body and your mind because despite all the hardships in life, there’s always something to be grateful for, no matter how small. So get out there, and start gratituding (or is it journaling? You know what we mean).

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