What are you grateful for? Answering this question on a good day is easy, but on a bad day? It might feel harder to find things to be grateful for when life feels tough, but trust me, it helps. If you want to love your life more, even on those not so good days, practice gratitude.
How to practice gratitude
Write down the good things
A good way to remember that life is good is to write down a few things you are grateful for each day. It doesn’t matter how small it is; often our happiest moments can be found in those little moments of bliss. From the first taste of your morning coffee to the friend who helped you out, write it down.
Think about how far you’ve come
Even if life feels hard right now, think about the blessings you have in your life that you didn’t have before. What did you used to wish or pray for and now it’s a reality? Think about how far you’ve come and feel grateful about it.
Focus on your senses
Isn’t it amazing that our bodies have the ability to see, touch, smell, taste, and hear? For a little gratitude practice mixed in with some self-care, try indulging your senses by:
Stroking a pet
Lighting an aromatherapy candle
Enjoying a warming and delicious cup of tea
Listening to your favourite music
Watching a sunrise or sunset
Be grateful that your body allows you to enjoy these simple pleasures.
Be aware of the language you use
Do you ever tell yourself ‘ugh, I’ve got to go to the gym’ or ‘I have to do all of this washing up’? We all do. But have you ever considered changing your perspective? Instead, you could say ‘I’m lucky my body is healthy so I get to go to the gym’ or ‘My family has enough food to eat and we have running water so that’s why I do the washing up.’
It’s not easy, but how much more positive would this make you feel?
Gratitude meditation
If you want to be more intentional about practicing gratitude, try this simple 5 minute meditation.
Intentionally slow down. Relax your shoulders and take slow, deep breaths.
Look around you. What can you see that you’re grateful for? If you’re at home, it could be a cherished photo. If you’re outside, it could be a beautiful blue sky.
Next, be grateful for something you can smell. Is it the smell of the perfume your partner bought you on your clothes? Or maybe the smell of the lovely family meal that’s cooking.
Now breathe in again, and breathe out. What sound can you hear and why are you grateful for it? It could be your children playing, or a piece of music you love playing in the background.
Next, focus on what you can taste. Are you enjoying a warm cup of tea? Or maybe you’ve just had a piece of your favourite chocolate.
Now turn your attention to touch. Are you cuddled up next to your pet? Stroke their soft fur. Or maybe you’re wrapped in a cosy blanket? Enjoy the soft texture and feel grateful.
Take one last final deep breath in and out, then say either out loud or in your mind ‘I am grateful.’
Do you practice gratitude in your daily life? What difference has it made to how much you love your life? I’d love to know!
Carrie x