1| Monogrammed 2| Fun: The Journal of Awesome 3| Bright: Urban Outfitters 4| Designer: Alexander Wang
You can also check out my new Bookshop for more journals!
For Christmas, Santa bought me a really cute notebook. Just kidding I bought it for myself while I was "Christmas shopping for others." Anyway, I just started using it. See, I have this thing about notebooks. I'm very Type-A and I like for them to have a specific purpose; I don't want to waste writing in a pretty notebook if it's not for a good reason. Anyone else like that?
My mom suggested that I start keeping a gratitude journal. I really liked the idea and have heard elsewhere that it's a really powerful practice. I think for me, it's so easy to get caught up in whatever is overwhelming me at the moment. However, once I stop and write down that I'm thankful for Downton Abbey, pistachios, highlighters, and the New York Giants, I just stop and realize: I blasted love my life. (My lists are longer than that, but you get the point.)
Generally, I'll write a list of what I'm thankful for before bed (I don't do it every single night), or if I'm having a rough day, I'll make a cup of tea, break open the journal, and just start writing. It really helps me to get focused on what's important. And, it completely changes my mood. I always feel so positive, happy, and healthy after writing my list of gratitude. I fervently believe that when you're a grateful person, you become a powerful person.
Here's a picture of my journal on my writing desk:
Do any of you keep gratitude journals? Here is a list of tips from UC Berkeley for keeping a gratitude journal (but do what works best for you). I am most definitely a list person! Have you found another way to practice gratitude? Share in the comments so we can all know!
oh my gosh I'm totally the same with journals! I got this super cute one in the fall that has a black and white picture of Carter on the front and I've only used 6 pages in it total!! I can only justify using it when there's a good reason! Using it as a gratitude journal is a FANTASTIC idea. I'm stealing it. ; )
ReplyDeleteI purposely do not buy journals with dates in them because then they would go to waste! I need a good 3 years to fill up a pretty journal!! haha : )
OH! PS! I just saw that The Paris Wife is in your Bookshop! I have been wanting to read this for FOREVER. Have you read it? Is it good??!
ReplyDeleteI keep a note on my phone! :)
ReplyDeleteI have a gratitude journal and LOVE it. However, it hasn't been written in for about a year. Thanks for writing this and forcing me to get back to it. I am so excited to open it up and start again!!
ReplyDeleteI have a collection of journals. I can't help it, I see a cute design, and I'm hooked. I have never had a gratitude journal, but thank you for reminding us of the importance of it. It's so easy to forget the simple blessings in our lives! Love You :)
ReplyDeleteHave you read One Thousand Gifts yet? If not, you need to! So my gratitude journal is my list of one thousand gifts, which I actually used to be good about writing in before bed every night, but I'm not doing it lately...bad me. Another journal brand that I think you would like is Eccole: http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=eccolo+journals&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=4341545489&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13131177581836178564&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&ref=pd_sl_1zr0hxhq0x_b
ReplyDeleteSOOOO many options! I think I have at least 4 from them lol.
Great post and blog.
ReplyDeleteIf you get a sec, check out my latest post 'Maxi Skirt and Leather Jacket'.
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