A new year means a fresh chapter and a chance to bring in some good vibes by practicing gratitude!
If you are looking for one simple habit you can start this coming year that can make a tone of difference, we’ve got you. Here, I’m about to share our top pick for New Year’s resolutions that anyone can stick to with our universal life hacks on how to make it work for you – gratitude.
We’ve picked the gratitude practice over many others for a reason. You don’t need a whole new routine to make a real difference; a few small tweaks here and there can add up to a big shift in how you feel.
We know how easy it is to fall into the trap of grinding and not finding enough time to implement any significant changes to your life. Especially if you’re like us working from home, it can sometimes feel like the days or even weeks blend together, and before you know it – it’s already the end of the year. But what if you made this one a little different and could set the stage for a truly positive year by practicing something as simple and easy as gratitude?
So, let’s dive into some easy, feel-good ways to make gratitude part of your daily life!
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Why Practicing Gratitude Is Your New Trump Card
Did you know that gratitude can significantly change your perspective by reducing stress, improving your sleep, enhancing your resilience, and even attracting more luck into your life? The emotion and energy of sincere gratitude are so powerful that they can fuel up your well-being. And when you work from home, where it’s so easy to let work issues spill into your personal life, that at times you might feel overwhelmed.
Here, gratitude can be that missing piece, which can help you stay grounded, keep your head above water and regain the feeling that you’ve actually “got this”.
Practical Hacks How to Implement Gratitude Practice Into Your Life
As with any new routine, practicing gratitude though doesn’t take much time, does require consistency to become a habit and bring impactful results. The realm of the modern world leaves little room for remembering little things like gratitude, it’s easy to overlook the importance of gratitude rituals. To help you get started, we’ve compiled a few simple and effective ways to start regularly practicing gratitude and rip the most benefits out of this wonderful habit. Pick yours to kick start your practice in the new year!
1. Kickstart Your Morning with a Quick Gratitude Exercise
Start a gratitude journal and take just five minutes to jot down a few things you’re grateful for each morning. It could be as simple as: “That perfect cup of coffee you sipped on”, “A friend’s funny message”, “Your cozy, peaceful morning setup”, etc. The more specific, the better – go beyond the basics and find the small things that make you smile or feel good. Try not to repeat yourself as much as you can. Seeing them on paper can make these moments feel that much more real and precious.
Gratitude Journals for You
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Imagine starting each day by focusing on what’s good in your life. It’s so simple, yet so powerful.
Tip: Keep your gratitude journal somewhere visible, so you don’t forget to write in it. Try making it part of your morning routine, like right after breakfast or before you open your laptop. You can also use a dedicated mobile app like Gratitude or just the notes app on your phone – whatever works for you.
2. Set Up Your Workspace with Gratitude Reminders
You probably spend a lot of time at your workspace, so why not make it feel like a little gratitude sanctuary? Here’s how:
- Create a Vision Board: Pin up some photos, quotes, or keepsakes that remind you of things you love or goals you’re working towards. It would be ideal to have these reminders on the level of your eyes so that you look at them often throughout the day.
- Add Daily Affirmations: You can use an affirmations app on your phone like “I am” to send your daily gratitude affirmations, or download screensavers with gratitude quotes on your laptop and phone. Catching these messages with your eyes now and then will send positive tunes to your brain and brighten your day.
- Celebrate Small Wins: At the end of each day, jot down one or two things you accomplished, even if they’re tiny! Did you finally tackle that email you were avoiding? That counts!
These little touches can make a world of difference in keeping your mindset positive, especially on those tough workdays.
3. Take “Gratitude Pauses” Throughout Your Day
Working from home can feel like an endless string of tasks, but what if you added in some gratitude pauses? Taking just a few seconds to stop, breathe, and think of one thing you’re thankful for can not only help distress you but totally reset your vibe.
- Pause and Breathe: When you finish a task, pause for a second, breathe deeply, and think of one thing you’re grateful for.
- Set a Daily Reminder: Add at least one “Gratitude Break” alert on your phone, for example, using the Alarm with certain sounds you will associate with gratitude. When it goes off, close your eyes and take a moment (between 30 seconds up to 2 minutes) to appreciate something specific, big or small, whether it’s a sunny day outside, a great conversation you had or an important negotiation you won.
- Anchor Gratitude Pauses to Your Routine Tasks: according to James Clear, the author of the book “Atomic Habits”, linking a new habit to one of the existing habits will help you cultivate it more easily. Try this approach using daily things like making yourself a nice cup of coffee or stretching to remind yourself of something good and pause for a minute to allow a few gratitude thoughts into your mind.
4. Write a “Gratitude Letter” (No Need to Send It!)
Sometimes, you feel so grateful for someone or something that you want to say it out loud. Try writing a gratitude letter, even if you don’t actually send it. Here’s how to make it count:
Write from the Heart: Don’t overthink it—write whatever comes to mind about why this person or experience means so much to you.
Focus on Growth: Mention how this person or moment has helped you grow or taught you something.
Read It Out Loud: This part is key! Read it out to yourself to really *feel* the gratitude.
Bonus Tip: Try writing one of these every month. It can be a letter to yourself, too! You’ll be amazed at how powerful it feels to see your own growth and efforts in writing.
5. Wind Down with a “Gratitude Meditation” Before Bed
A quick gratitude meditation can help you wind down and feel good before sleep. Sometimes, we all need a little help turning off our minds before bed.
- Find Your Calm Spot: Sit or lie down somewhere cozy. Take a few deep breaths and just relax.
- Think Back on Your Day: Replay the best parts of your day in your mind, even the smallest things, like a quick laugh or a delicious lunch.
- End with a Gratitude Mantra: Something like “I’m grateful for this day and everything it brought” can help you end the day with peace.
If you’re new to meditation, no worries—there are apps with guided sessions that can help get you started!
More Articles about Meditation:
6. Wear a Piece of Gratitude Jewelry as a Daily Reminder
Imagine if a small piece of jewelry – a ring, bracelet, or necklace – could serve as a gentle reminder to practice gratitude throughout your day. Choosing a piece that feels special and meaningful to you can keep gratitude front and center, even on your busiest days. Here’s how to make it work:
Personalized Message Rings
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Custom Engraved Skinny Ring
Custom 1 mm secret message ring
Gratitude Personal Message Bracelets
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Hidden Message Curved Skinny Bar Personalised Bracelet
Custom Engraved Cuff Bracelet, Dainty Affirmation Bracelet
- Pick Something Symbolic: Choose a piece that resonates with you personally. Maybe it’s a bracelet inscribed with a meaningful word, or a necklace with a charm that reminds you of someone special or a life goal.
- Set an Intention: Every morning, put on the jewelry with an intention to stay grateful. Take a moment to remind yourself of what you’re grateful for before you start your day.
- Use It as a Check-In: Throughout the day, whenever you notice your jewelry, take a second to pause and think of something you appreciate.
More Gratitude Accessories for You!
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Morse Code “Grateful” Bracelet and Card
Engraved Handwriting Keychain in Different Shapes and Colors
This small gesture can help keep you grounded and bring you back to gratitude, even on days that feel like they’re spiraling.
7. BONUS TIP. Focus on “Lucky Moments” to Attract More Good Luck
Have you ever had those little moments that just feel… lucky? Maybe you got a parking spot right by the entrance, found a $5 bill in an old coat, or received a compliment just when you needed a boost. Recognizing these “lucky moments” can be a powerful way to build a gratitude practice and even attract more positive experiences into your life.
Here’s how to cultivate this mindset:
- Notice the Small Wins: Lucky moments don’t have to be huge. Maybe you finished a big task faster than expected or bumped into an old friend. These little sparks can be reminders that good things happen all the time.
- Celebrate the Unexpected: When something good happens unexpectedly, pause and savor it. Acknowledge that this is a positive sign, a reminder of the good that flows into your life.
- Create a “Lucky Moments” List: Keep a dedicated space in your gratitude journal or on your phone to record these moments. Every time something feels lucky, jot it down. At the end of each month, look back and see how many blessings have come your way.
By appreciating these “lucky moments,” you’ll not only attract more good luck, but also train your mind to see positivity, even on the most routine days. And as your gratitude grows, so too does your awareness of all the good that surrounds you.
Start Your New Year Feeling Good, Every Day
A gratitude practice doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s about small, real moments each day that help you focus on what’s going right. So why not make this your year to bring more gratitude—and all the joy, positivity, and peace that come with it—into your daily life?
These steps aren’t just a list—they’re a way to build a habit that can support you long after the new year. So take that first step today, and let gratitude guide you into a new year full of possibilities and positivity!
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