Gratitude journaling offers a simple way to celebrate what we are grateful for in our lives on a more regular basis. The simple act of reflecting on what you’re thankful for and then listing these things out can be a surprising exercise in appreciating the abundance that surrounds us every day.
Taking time to pause and identify the things you’re truly grateful for right now can change the way you feel about your life. Even better? Recent studies on how gratitude changes you and your brain have shown that practicing gratitude can make you happier, give you a greater sense of joy, and increase your optimism even in the face of adversity. Gratitude journaling may even be linked to a better night’s sleep.
“Thanks are the highest form of thought, and gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”
– G.K. Chesterton
10 Gratitude Journaling Prompts
Keeping a gratitude journal can be even easier if you have a set of gratitude journaling prompts. Gratitude journaling prompts are questions that help you get into a gratitude mindset to reflect on all the things in your life that you are grateful to have.
Here are 10 gratitude journaling prompts to help inspire your next gratitude journaling session.
1. What are three things you are grateful for today?
Right here, right now, what are the first few things that come to mind when you think of what you are grateful for in your life?
2. Who are you grateful for today?
Consider your friendships, relationships, pets, or even someone you admire that you’ve never met. Who comes to mind? List them out and envision their faces as you make a list.
3. What are three reasons you are glad to be alive today?
What makes you grateful to still be living and breathing right now?
4. In what ways have you grown as a person over the last year?
Even in challenging times, we can still take time to reflect on the ways we’ve evolved and changed for the better.
5. What is something you are grateful to have learned recently?
From new skills or hobbies to greater life lessons or self-insights, what’s something new you didn’t know?
6. What are three qualities you appreciate about yourself?
When it comes to expressing gratitude, we may have a difficult time recognizing the qualities, characteristics, or strengths we’re thankful to possess.
7. What is something in your life that you feel “lucky” to have?
Gratitude often involves recognizing the people, things, or circumstances in our lives that seem to exist outside of anything we did to get them. What are those things for you?
8. What is a simple delight you have been enjoying lately?
Our everyday lives offer a chance to savor the little things and the simple pleasures. What is a simple delight you enjoy even if you’ve never taken time to appreciate it?
9. What do you like about where you live right now?
No matter where you live, identify something about the location, community, or home you’re in that you like.
10. How does expressing gratitude make you feel right now?
Reflecting on what you’re grateful for will likely produce a distinct feeling or emotional response. What have you experienced by reflecting on what you’re grateful for today?
Get More Journal Prompts
As you continue your journaling journey, check out this list of over 550+ journal prompts to explore more gratitude prompts, daily and evening prompts, prompts for self-discovery, and many more.
Express Your Gratitude Now
in Your Day One Journal
The Day One journal app makes it easy to keep a gratitude journal. Daily reminders, daily writing prompts, and journaling streaks are designed to help keep you motivated and consistently journaling.
About the Author
Kristen Wright is the author of three books on journaling, including The Transformation Year, a year-long series of daily journal prompts. With a passion for writing and self-reflection, Kristen uses her experience with journaling to help others discover the benefits of documenting their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. In her role at Day One, she helps to promote the power of journaling so people from all walks of life can experience the transformative power of journaling.
