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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at GCU chapter.

When you start taking the time to be intentional with your gratitude, and with your heart and mindset, you can feel it. But even knowing the benefits, it can be so hard sometimes. So often we recognize that practicing gratitude is good for us – and yet we still forget to do it. So, let’s start practicing gratitude with these tips in mind.

Be Observant

This one is easy – especially if you have the habit of saying “thank you” a lot. Any time you say the words “thank you”, be aware of it! Anytime someone opens the door for you, lets you step in front of them in line, or hands you something, you will probably say “thank you”. This is a great way to start practicing gratitude because it is a small day-to-day thing.

Keep a gratitude journal

Journaling is not for everyone, and many people quit because they find they are inconsistent, but that is okay. Even if you cannot find the time to do it every day, writing down what you are grateful for in your life whenever you can is a great way to track your gratitude. It gives you an easy way to visually see what gratitude looks like in your life and look back on what has been good for you.

Have an accountability partner

Asking a friend or family member to be your accountability partner for practicing gratitude is a great way to not only practice gratitude but to share that gratitude with other people in your life. It encourages the people around you to be more intentional with their mindsets while also allowing you to share the good things in your life with others. It’s a win-win!

Remember the bad

This is not a required step by any means, but it can be helpful if you find it hard to think of things to be grateful for. If you take a moment to remember the bad things of the past, how you have grown through them, and how good things have either resulted from or simply replaced the bad, then you can find something to be grateful for. Be grateful that you survived the bad, be grateful that the bad is over, be grateful that there is something good in the place of that bad thing! Again – this one is absolutely not required, but it can be helpful for some.

Take things a step further

If you have the time and the means, a fun way to practice gratitude is by going out of your way to show someone that you are grateful for them. Write a thank-you note, send a text, or get them a thank-you gift! Showing others that you are thankful for them or for something they have done or said in a physical, tangible way is a rewarding way to practice gratitude. Plus, this means you must plan on being thankful, so it keeps gratitude on your mind.

If you want to learn more about the benefits of practicing gratitude (and learn more ways to do it) here are some helpful links!

In the spirit of practicing gratitude – thank you so much for reading! Have a wonderful week.

Amelia Miller is a Senior at Grand Canyon University studying Professional Writing with a double minor in Literature and Communications. When she’s not curled up with a book or hunched over a laptop or notebook writing, Amelia can be found outside working in the garden, or going on a hike. Being from Colorado, the connection with nature is grounding and can serve as creative inspiration – but mostly it’s just fun. She can also be found in the kitchen, trying out new recipes or attempting to prove to her friends that vegetarian cooking can in fact be good.