As we head further into fall and embrace the “season of thanks,” we should realize that we have a lot to be grateful for. You just having the ability to log onto a computer, phone or tablet in order to read this article is a privilege that a lot of people do not have access to! Even if you are aware that you are fortunate, recording your thoughts and seeing how many things you have to be thankful for in a visual way can truly boost your overall mood and attitude towards life. If you have a bad day, but are forced to think of positive things despite the negativity, you’ll cheer up much faster. Whether you want to keep a record of your gratitude in a simple way, or get creative with it, we have a range of ideas that will help you realize how many things you have to be thankful for as this year concludes.
Gratitude Journal
Purchase a handheld notebook that allows you to make a designated page for each day. Pick a number (between one and ten) of how many things you want to write down each day that you are grateful for. Add themed drawings depending on what you wrote, and make it visually appealing so that on your bad days, you can look back at the last few weeks and see how much you have to be happy about in your life.
Gratitude Cork Board
Create a cute sign for your cork board that says “Thankful” or “Give Thanks” and add a sticky note or colored paper each day that includes what you are most thankful for that day. By the end of the month or end of the season, you will have an overflowing board that reminds you of how many things are awesome about your life.
Gratitude Jar
This is a fun one if you have multiple people to participate. Get a few jars for your family members or roommates, and assign everyone a different jar. Each day, everyone has to add one note to each jar, saying why they are thankful for that person. This is a great morale boost during midterms or when families get busy, and might not recognize how much their actions are appreciated. If you want to allow each person to know who is writing each note that is in their jar, you can color coordinate the note colors, so one person writes everyone’s notes in red, while another person has to write in green.
Gratitude Tree
Pick a fall design or theme, whether it be a tree with colored leaves or a pumpkin patch. Get a large paper or poster board and hang it on a wall of your choice. If you choose a tree, print out, buy or cut out leaves for the tree and add a new leaf to the tree each day, that includes what you are thankful for. If you choose a pumpkin patch, draw a pumpkin patch on your poster board, but without the pumpkins. Add a pumpkin shaped note for each day, and include your gratitude notes on the pumpkin for that day. Watch you fall themed design grow over the season and have a fun DIY piece of art when its done.
Gratitude is something that we should continue throughout the year, rather than just around fall and Thanksgiving. We challenge you to start one of these gratitude records for the season, and keep going! Make a gratitude design for every season of the year, or keep your journal going well into winter, spring, and summer!