With the New Year fast approaching, it seems there are lots of suggestions for starting 2022 off on the right foot. Keeping a gratitude journal is one of them. I’ve meant to keep a journal myself, but I prefer to verbalize my gratitude instead. Although, there’s something about putting your thoughts in writing that makes an impact on a person, to me it somehow seems like something more to put on my daily to-do list. So I tend to express my gratitude in the solitude of my daily walks. The method doesn’t matter so long as one takes the time to appreciate the good things in life, even, maybe especially, the smallest of things that so often we take for granted.
During this prolonged pandemic, I think it is essential for our mental health to have a positive attitude when possible, making a concerted effort to concentrate on the good rather than the negative. This changes how we look at life which positively affects how we behave and encourages others to do the same.
I read about a couple, who after being apart all day, in the evening, instead of going over all the ways the day might have gone wrong, often asked each other, “What was one good thing that happened today?”
I believe that it would be a worthwhile exercise for retirees to try, too. In fact, it could work for any age. Try asking a student the same question. You might get the rolling of eyes at first, but you might also learn some new insights into their life.
Instead of going to bed feeling irritable and frustrated, the question forces you to realize something good did happen in your day. You might even sleep better that night.
By the way, “What was your favourite thing that happened in your day today?”