Author:

Topics:

Thoughts on Being Thankful

Gratitude isn’t just a warm, fuzzy feeling. It’s a tool. And if you use it right, it can change the way you see your life—for the better.

Let’s be real: it’s easy to forget the good stuff. The stress, the problems, the annoying little things pile up, and suddenly, your focus is on everything going wrong. But what if you made it a habit to remind yourself of what’s going right?

Journaling about gratitude isn’t just about looking back fondly. It actively shifts your mindset. It can make you more optimistic, less stressed, and even healthier. And no, this isn’t just feel-good fluff. There’s actual science behind it. Studies show that people who regularly practice gratitude have lower cortisol levels (that’s the stress hormone) and even sleep better.

In recent years, I decided to take this advice and explore. I began trying to make small, daily notes of things I enjoyed, appreciated, or was thankful for in my journal. Nothing complicated—just quick, honest reflections on what stood out each day. Some days it was as simple as a great conversation or experience with my family, a productive work session, an accomplishment, or a moment of quiet with my morning coffee. Over time, I realized how much these little entries helped me stay grounded and positive.

Why Start Now

It’s tempting to think, “I’ll start later.” But the sooner you begin, the sooner you reap the benefits. You don’t need a perfect system. You just need to start.

An easy way? Use an app like Day One to jot down a quick note daily. No overthinking. No long-winded journal entries. Just a sentence or two about something that made your day better. It could be a small win, a kind word, or even just a great cup of coffee. The more you do it, the easier it becomes. And over time, those small moments add up to something big. What makes it even easier is that the app sends you reminders. So you have no excuse to take 30 seconds and reflect on what you’re thankful for.

Will It Even Make a Difference?

Some people worry that gratitude journaling is just another task—something that sounds good in theory but doesn’t actually change much. But here’s the thing: when you do this consistently, it rewires how you view your life.

Instead of letting the bad moments take center stage, you start to notice the good ones more. You train your brain to focus on what’s positive. And that shift can impact everything—your mood, your productivity, your relationships.

The Payoff: Seeing the Big Picture

At the end of the year, I decided to put this to the test. I’ll admit that I’m not always consistent with this yet, and may never be. So, I went back through all my journal entries, notes, and my photos from the year to challenge myself to compile 100 things I was grateful for. I figured it would be tough. The good news is that I hit 180 and had to stop. I could’ve kept going.

Looking back at everything that had happened in the past year, I didn’t just remember random good moments. I felt them again. The small victories. The unexpected joys. The things that might’ve seemed minor at the time, but added up to something meaningful.

Here are just 10 random things that were on the list:

  • My daughter for kissing me on the head before going to bed every night
  • My son Matthew for loving movies and shows — and watching them with me
  • My son Brendan for getting engaged
  • My parents for wanting to spend time with us
  • Spicy Asian noodles with an egg and chili crunch
  • Winter walks in the dark with Christmas lights
  • Funny animal videos
  • The first time seeing the northern lights
  • Reading a book about sea shells
  • My wife for loving me and always taking care of our family

Give It a Shot

This isn’t about forced positivity. It’s about perspective. The best way to see how much good is in your life? Keep track of it. Every time you do it, it will be a small, but positive part of your day. And when you look back, you might just be surprised by how much there is.

You don’t have to write pages of reflection—just a few words each day can make all the difference. Over time, you’ll notice patterns of joy, moments that would have otherwise slipped away unnoticed or forgotten. And the best part? You’ll build a record of proof that even in the hardest seasons, good things were still happening. So grab a notebook or an app, start today, and see where it takes you. Keep track of it. And when you look back, you might just be surprised by how much there is.