Gratitude journaling, but even better...
A journaling practice that's filling me with hope, a sense of connection & joy
Hello, I’m Jodie. A Yoga teacher & wellbeing creator/ writer. I write about life post burnout with themes of rest, living slower, self discovery, Yoga & more. Please subscribe to support my work & to read more. You can join my free monthly journaling club and also find me on YouTube and Instagram.
Hello my loves,
I had something completely different in mind that I was going to share this week, then last minute (as these things tend to happen) I felt like I needed to offer something else to you…
It’s a journaling practice I’ve recently discovered that quite honestly feels like magic. It’s opening my heart up and helping me reconnect to the small, everyday wonders in life.
I go through phases with journaling. It’s been a tool I’ve turned to to help me process, unravel and set intentions for around 5 years now. However, writing a gratitude journal specifically hasn’t always felt that good for me! In the past I found myself feeling icky writing down all of these amazing things in my life when I was avoiding and not really acknowledging how I was truly feeling.
It almost felt like I was using gratitude as a plaster to cover up *and avoid confronting* some pretty heavy stuff. An attempt to maintain this front of positivity when internally things felt quite opposite.
I’ve come to the conclusion, like most things in life, that it’s about balance and perspective. I can process and work through the uncomfortable stuff whilst acknowledging that actually, although life can feel hard, there’s some beauty and moments of magic to focus my attention upon too.
Keeping a gratitude journal really doesn’t have to mean your life is all sunshine and rainbows *phew*. And actually, this new gratitude practice feels way more aligned to my own values and how I want to show up in the world…
Writing a gratitude AND pride list
I actually discovered this practice whilst reading What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo (a brilliant memoir on complex PTSD). Stephanie shares that alongside writing a list of the things she’s thankful for, she also lists the ways she puts some love and joy out into the world.
A list of the small things she did that day to delight others, and maybe even make it onto their gratitude list.
It doesn’t have to be big extravagant gestures, it could be the smallest of things…
Offering to help a stranger when you see they’re in need
cooking someones favourite meal
checking in on that friend you know is having a hard time
holding the door open for someone
taking your neighbours bins out when you know they’re away
picking up a coffee for your hairdresser
letting someone know how much they mean to you.
The small, random acts of kindness that keep others, and ourselves ticking.
The thing is, it feels good to be kind. Obviously we don’t set out with the intention of giving ourselves a dopamine boost, but the fact is, it does! It gives us a sense of connection and community that I think so many of us need, especially post pandemic when the collective exhaustion of that is still slightly looming.
I can also struggle with self esteem and notice those “am I a good person?” questions pop up, this practice is helping me reconnect and remember the innate goodness we all have within us. I’m honestly amazed by the difference it’s making already. It’s allowing me focus on and recognise just how interconnected everything is, and how uplifting it feels to care for others in small and gentle ways.
Have you heard of this practice before? I feel like it’s a game changer! I’ve love to know your thoughts and rituals with gratitude journaling…
So, the next time you write your gratitude list and feel thankful for what you already have, maybe it’s time to consider the joy and magic YOU bring into the world too!
Love & gratitude, Jodie x
Winter Wellbeing Workshop
Lastly, a little reminder that I'm hosting a 90 minute online Winter Wellbeing Workshop/ Ceremony on the 24th of October (next week). It will combine a grounding meditation, practical advice & guidance, time & support on how to set your own winter vision and a Yoga Nidra session to finish for deep restoration and relaxation.
It will be a time to celebrate the darker months, and learn how to go slower/ find joy in what can be a difficult time of year. You can book your spot here.
If you found this post useful/ enjoyed it I would be so grateful if you shared it or restacked it. It helps other people find the Slower Space community! Thank you x
I think of gratitude as my magic wand, always at my disposal.
The brain cannot experience stress and gratitude at the same time. Isn't that wonderful?!
I find knowing the benefits of Gratitude extremely helpful:
• Significant improvement in immune function.
• Down-regulates pain.
• Down-regulates stress hormones.
• Up-regulates dopamine and serotonin.
• Improves sleep quality.
• Better life quality - this is what really matters, right?!
I find writing what you are grateful for and why.
It is typically the "why" that triggers the emotion we are looking for. I don’t stop writing until I feel the emotion of gratitude. I see if I can even get a tear produced 🩵🥰
I also find it most helpful to write about the small beautiful mundane things like the weather, nature, our relationships, that dust sparkle, the softness of your sheets, that your big toe is incredible and what it would feel like to not have a toe. But it’s the why and not just listing it... sometimes my why will be a paragraph, a page or just a few sentences all depending how quickly I can feel that emotion
I’m super passionate about this and Thankyou so much for sharing lovely! ✨
Love this idea. I recently started a glimmer journal, where I look for tiny moments or awe or wonder. Somehow, it feels easier than gratitude journaling. Gratitude has occasionally felt icky for me because I sometimes go into it with the mindset of “I should be grateful”. Like you say, it doesn’t always acknowledge that life is tricky too!