“Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking the whole world belongs to you.” ~ Lao-Tzu

In the last article, I shared 14 ways to find your happy place and why it was so important for our healing to have this happy place and go to it often. In that article one of the most profound ways was to write a gratitude journal. Its easier to start the practice if you have prompts to write, so this post is all about how to get started(and how I started) with this healing practice and with a FREE PRINTABLE with the prompts and space for you to begin. Read on and don’t forget to download your free gratitude journal with healing prompts at the end…

Years ago, I started writing in a gratitude journal because I needed to heal from depression, anxiety and deep traumas. It was one of the tools suggested by almost all spiritual teachers, psychology professors and experts in the field of mental and emotional health.

In the beginning, I struggled to write anything down. Then slowly as I kept sitting with it, I simply tried to write five things each morning for which I was grateful. The practice encouraged me to look back on the past 24 hours and recall all the positive parts of the day.

With this practice I discovered that I was also becoming more aware of special moments and simple blessings as they occurred throughout the day, which I would take for granted before.

I soon filled the little book, and began another and another and another. Now I keep the journal right next to where I work each morning to have quiet time and drink my coffee, and write it in often.

You can purchase a special gratitude journal, or simply write in a cheap notebook, it’s totally up to you. The process is more important and healing than the book, right?

Understanding Gratitude Journaling

“Thanks are the highest form of thought, and gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”
~ G.K. Chesterton

A gratitude journal is a personal journal where you regularly write down things you’re thankful for. The practice involves reflecting on the positive aspects of your life, both big and small, and documenting them. This could include anything from a kind gesture someone extended to you, a beautiful sunset, good health, or a personal achievement.

The purpose of a gratitude journal is to cultivate a positive healing habit of recognizing and appreciating the good things in life. Because, by default it is very easy for all of us to fall into the negative thinking trap. This practice has been shown to improve mental well-being, increase happiness, reduce stress, and even enhance physical health. By focusing on the positive, a gratitude journal can help shift your mindset away from negativity and towards a more optimistic and appreciative outlook.

Typically, its good to write in a gratitude journal daily, though doing it a few times a week is good as well. Consistency is key, as regular practice can deepen the benefits over time.

How to Begin writing a Healing Gratitude Journal

There’s no right or wrong way to keep a healing gratitude journal—the key though is consistency and the genuine acknowledgment of gratitude in your daily life. The aim is to build a habit of recognizing and appreciating the good in your life. 

1. Choose a form of journaling that feels comfortable. It could be a traditional notebook, a digital app…anything you feel comfortable and happy using regularly.
2. Set a consistent routine because Consistency is key! Choose a time of day when you can regularly spend a few quiet moments reflecting. 
3. Keep it simple and short. Your entries don’t have to be long at all. Even a few words or sentences about what you’re thankful for each day can be powerful. 
4. Be specific. Instead of writing general statements like “I’m grateful for my health,” try to be more specific. For example, “I’m grateful for my friends call today that made me smile.” 
5. Reflect on challenges. Gratitude isn’t just about the good times. Reflecting on how challenges have helped you grow can also be a part of your journaling. 
6. Revisit your entries. Every once in a while, look back on your past entries. This can be incredibly uplifting, especially on those hard days.
7. Make it your own. Customize your gratitude journaling practice to suit your style. Some people like to add photos, drawings, poems, stickers etc.

20 Gratitude Journaling Prompts Focused on Healing

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 some gratitude journaling prompts specifically focused on healing to help inspire your next gratitude journaling session:

1. Healing Progress: What small steps towards healing are you grateful for today?
2. Support in Healing: Who has helped you on your healing journey, and how?
3. Lessons from Pain: What has your pain or struggle taught you that you now appreciate?
4. Inner Strength: What inner strength have you discovered through your healing process?
5. Self-Care: What self-care practices are you grateful for that support your healing?
6. Forgiveness: Is there someone (including yourself) you’ve forgiven, and how has it helped you heal?
7. Physical Recovery: What physical improvements, no matter how small, are you thankful for?
8. Emotional Healing: How have your emotions shifted in a positive way, and how does that make you feel?
9. Acceptance: What have you learned to accept, and how has that acceptance brought you peace?
10. Healing Environment: What aspects of your environment (home, nature, etc.) support your healing?
11. Mindfulness: How has practicing mindfulness or being present helped you heal?
12. Hope: What gives you hope on difficult days?
13. Resilience: How has your resilience surprised you during tough times?
14. New Perspectives: What new perspective have you gained that has been crucial in your healing?
15. Grace: How have you extended grace to yourself during your healing process?
16. Milestones: What milestones, big or small, have you reached in your healing journey?
17. Coping Strategies: What coping strategies are you grateful for, and how have they helped?
18. Rest: How has rest or relaxation been vital to your healing, and how do you make time for it?
19. Positive Affirmations: What affirmations or positive thoughts have been powerful in your healing?
20. Future Healing: What are you looking forward to in your continued healing journey?

These prompts are designed to help you reflect on your healing process with a focus on gratitude, fostering a sense of progress, hope, and self-compassion.

“Be in a state of gratitude for everything that shows up in your life. Be thankful for the storms as well as the smooth sailing. What is the lesson or gift in what you are experiencing right now? Find your joy not in what’s missing in your life but in how you can serve.” ~ Wayne Dyer

❤ Download your FREE Healing Gratitude Journal with 20 prompts HERE ❤

If you get stuck anywhere, and need more clarity on this process of journaling, please dont hesitate to reach out.

Happy healing and Happy journaling ❤

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