Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude

As temperatures dip, leaves crinkle and fade into an auburn, red, yellow tint, and we cascade into the holiday season, our minds tend gravitate towards gratitude. In an unconventional year that has reshaped normal at every corner, gratitude can seem like a weird concept to wrap our minds around this Thanksgiving season. Whether you’re exhausted by the toll of the pandemic, systemic inequalities, or the polarized political landscape that has largely defined 2020, cultivating a mindset of gratitude can be beneficial in recharging and replenishing our spirits.

Expressing gratitude helps us take inventory of all the good things in our lives. Gratitude can help our wellbeing and strengthen our relationships. In acknowledgment of the good, we can lead happier lives.

1. Keep a Gratitude Journal

One of the most common ways people implement that practice of gratitude into their routines is by keeping a journal specifically for gratitude. Some people like to document their gratitude by writing it down, while others like to tell someone such as a friend, partner, or family member. Sometimes, making it a goal to discuss gratitude with someone daily can keep you accountable to the habit of cultivating gratitude daily.

2. Meditate

In the business of our world, incorporating a new practice into our routine can be daunting or unrealistic. Meditation can be exercised in many different contexts, which is helpful for different lifestyles. Gratitude meditation can be practiced in small moments, like waiting at a red light, making your tea in the morning, or waiting for your train. Gratitude meditation is essentially reflecting on the things and people you’re grateful for in your life. Gratitude meditation can allow us to realize that things that act as stressors in our lives can make way into points of gratitude. The pressing assignment that you just turned in, while momentarily stressful, was a learning opportunity for time management. The lens of gratitude can reshape how we perceive certain aspects of life.

3. Write a Thank You Note

Our relationship can be bolstered by writing a letter of thanks. The letter doesn’t have to be for a tangible gift or service. Rather, writing a letter of gratitude to the people in your life for the ways they enrich our lives! Snail mail is a great way to show someone you care about them and appreciate having them in your life.