Lately I sometimes feel there is something missing in my life. Yes, I’ve been working a lot on the computer and have been off balance lately so I’m trying to slowly put things that I value back into my daily life.

DAILY JOURNAL WRITING

I used to write in a daily journal a couple of years ago. Unfortunately I’ve lost touch with that side of myself and want to bring that habit back since I felt more balanced when I was reflecting more on my life and trying to make a difference. Writing in a journal is like therapy for me since it helps me reflect on what happened during the day and sometimes writing things down helps me to analyze how I truly feel.

If you’ve never written in a journal, you should try it and see if it works for you. You can either purchase a journal notebook or type it in your phone or tablet device.

I personally use the Day One journal app and if I’m using it as a “daily gratitude journal” I tag the entry as a gratitude journal. What’s nice is that you can back up the journal to the iCloud, Dropbox, or wherever you want on your computer. You can also convert your entries to a PDF file and email it to yourself.

PRACTICE GRATITUDE

Because I don’t always have the time to write a whole journal entry, I encourage you to write down two to five things of what you are thankful for today. Practicing thankfulness can make you happy and I like to look for ways to be happier in life since life is too short.

I started writing down things that make me happy two days ago, and once I wrote what I was thankful for at the end of each day, I immediately felt better and more hopeful for the following day. A five to fifteen minute investment of practicing thankfulness is worth being happy. It also helps you sleep better by jotting down what you are grateful for right before you sleep.

BENEFITS OF THANKFULNESS

As Forbes article, “7 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude that will Motivate You to Give Thanks Year Round,” states:

1. Gratitude opens the door to more relationships.
2. Gratitude improves physical health.
3. Gratitude improves psychological health.
4. Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression.
5. Grateful people sleep better.
6. Gratitude improves self-esteem.
7. Gratitude increases mental strength.

Even when things are not going your way you can always find something to be thankful for. Practicing daily thankfulness helps put your life in perspective and makes you realize how lucky you are.

With so many positive benefits for practicing daily gratitude, you should try working on a thankful journal today.