How a Journal Can Help With Happiness (Day 17 of 30 of the Happiness Challenge)
In past days we have mentioned that a great way to increase our overall happiness is to acknowledge the good things in our life and feeling grateful.
When we tap into the habit of feeling and showing gratitude it is one of the most potent ways to increase feelings of happiness.
Sometimes we need a little extra motivation to help our resolve in feeling more gratitude, as with most things it is easier said than done.
In the case of gratitude, there is a simple tool that helps you stay on track - a journal…
Why a Gratitude Diary?
A gratitude journal is something that doesn’t long or a lot of effort but can be nothing short of an awesome thing that can have a huge impact on your life.
You don’t need anything fancy do it, just a notepad and pen, or if you prefer a file on your computer, or notes on your phone. Although, for some, it may help to get a nice journal you can treasure, as you will see as you read on…
The concept is simple. Every day you write for a few moments about the things that you are grateful for that day. Think about anything that has made you happy throughout the day, all the positive things. By thinking of them it puts the thought in the front of your mind which will itself to increase your mood and make you feel happier.
As you write your daily entry, it will help you itself, but you are also curating a memo of your best bits
It becomes itself a tool to increase your happiness as it can be something can be reread in the future when you need a little pick me up. Seeing it all in black and white how far you have come in the past weeks, months or even years is truly awesome.
When you start to read about the events, memories, and people that you feel grateful for, you start to relive those feelings in your head as read them again.
You could think of your gratitude diary as a happiness battery, as you are storing up your good times and feelings in a way that you access on demand when you need to recharge.
Can you see what a powerful idea this is?
AND There is More…
When you write and read your gratitude journal regularly you will form the great habit of having a more positive outlook on life, as the journal forces you to think and find things, events and people to be grateful for on any given day.
It will make your brain automatically look for the positive, rather than the negative and it is easy to see how that could be of benefit to you in your life over time.
If this seems like a good idea to you, get starting that journal - you won’t regret it.
Previous Days
Day 2 of 30 of the Happiness Challenge: Make Happiness Your Best Friend
Day 3 of 30 of the Happiness Challenge: Start Your Day With Gratefulness
Day 4 of 30 of the Happiness Challenge: Start Your Day With Gratefulness
Day 5 of 30 of the Happiness Challenge: Time to Get Busy...
Day 6 of 30 of the Happiness Challenge: Know Your Onions About Dealing With Stress
Day 7 of 30 of the Happiness Challenge: The Connection Between Happiness and Exercise
Day 8a of 30 of the Happiness Challenge: The Human Connection
Day 8b of 30 of the Happiness Challenge: The Human Connection 2
Day 9 of 30 of the Happiness Challenge: Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff. Savour It Instead
Day 10 of 30 of the Happiness Challenge: Surfing the Sea of Sadness
Day 11 of 30 of the Happiness Challenge: The Good Fight Against Our Brain’s Bias To Negativity
Day 12 of 30 of the Happiness Challenge: Form Happiness Support Groups
Day 13 of 30 of the Happiness Challenge: Why Getting Enough Sleep May Be The Key To Happiness
Day 14 of 30 of the Happiness Challenge: Little Confidence Boosters
Day 15 of 30 of the Happiness Challenge: Make it a Goal to Make Someone Else’s Day
Day 16 of 30 of the Happiness Challenge: Not Happy? Fake It!
Gratitude is the ultimate. We all give out 'vibrations' with our emotions, but do not realize those vibrations are JUST like radio waves. They travel far beyond our bodies and have effect on those that tune into our frequency.
Just like radio waves, we can send out thoughts along those waves. They are picked up by those who are feeling the same frequency - and more good things 'suddenly appear' in our lives.
Good to see you again! Wow, rep 67, well done :)
I've been doing a balance diary for a while. I'll have a go at doing it your way now but I'll give it a different name... maybe My Happiness Diary or something similar.
Great post!