Keeping a gratitude journal is one of the simplest and most effective ways to bring more positivity, joy, and abundance into your life. Studies have shown that gratitude can increase your overall well-being and happiness. Gratitude journaling improves your relationships, reduces stress and anxiety, and can even boost your immune system!
Gratitude works by training your brain to focus on the good in your life. When you make a regular practice of identifying things you're thankful for—no matter how big or small—you're effectively rewiring your brain to look for the positive in every situation. Over time, this can completely transform your outlook on life!
Journal Prompts
If you're new to gratitude journaling, or if you're just looking for some fresh ideas, here is a list of 30 of our favorite gratitude journal prompts to get you started:
What are three things you're grateful for from this past week?
What's something good that happened to you today?
What's a simple pleasure you enjoyed today?
Who brightened your day in some way?
What's something you're looking forward to in the week ahead?
What were you able to accomplish today?
What's a kindness someone showed you today?
What are three things you're grateful for from your childhood?
What are three things you're grateful for from nature?
What are three things people often take for granted?
Pick your favorite of the five senses and write that sense a thank you note.
What do you appreciate most about yourself?
Who or what makes your life richer and more meaningful?
Whose presence in your life do you cherish?
In what ways have others helped or supported you recently?
How has your relationship with yourself changed for the better?
How has your relationship with others changed for the better?
What act of service meant the world to someone you know?
What was a defining moment or experience in your life?
Who taught you an important lesson recently?
What recent news made you jump for joy?
In what ways have you grown emotionally or spiritually this year?
What was a moment when everything came together perfectly?
How has someone gone out of their way to support or care for you recently?
In what ways did people show up for you during difficult times this year?
What is an obstacle you overcame with the help of another person?
Write about a time when you were surprised by your strength or capabilities.
In what ways did someone show up for humanity on a global scale this year?
Who is the first person you call when something goes wrong?
Who is the first person you call when something goes right?
Let's get real. The world has been a crazy place lately. But even during all the challenges we've faced, there's still so much to be grateful for—if we take the time to look for it. We hope these gratitude journal prompts have inspired you to focus on all the good in your life and find bliss in the simple things!
FAQs About Gratitude Journaling
What can I write in my gratitude journal?
There are many things you can write in a gratitude journal. You can write about what you are grateful for in your life, such as your health, your family, your friends, or your job. You can express gratitude for your favorite people, places, and things. You can also write about the things you are grateful for that have happened to you recently, such as a nice compliment from a stranger, a fun weekend trip, or a thoughtful gift from a friend. You can even write about the small things that make you happy, like a hot cup of coffee on a cold day or the sun shining after a long winter. In gratitude journaling, the goal is simply to notice and appreciate the good things in your life. By taking the time to reflect on what you are grateful for, you can significantly boost your mood and increase your overall happiness.
What are some other good gratitude questions?
You may have noticed that many of our favorite gratitude journal prompts are questions. The cool thing about questions is when you ask them, your mind automatically starts trying to answer! If you are not sure what to write in your gratitude journal or you've already worked through the gratitude journal prompts above, here are some general gratitude questions you can use again and again.
- What was your favorite part of today?
- What made you smile and feel great?
- What are you thankful for in your life?
- What are you thankful for in your relationships?
- What are you thankful for at work or school?
- What are you thankful for in your community?
- What is something good that happened today, no matter how small?
Answering these questions daily can help you to shift your focus from what is going wrong to what is going right and build a foundation of thankfulness that will serve as a support during tough times.
Pro Tip: Don't just make a list. A list is a great place to start but try to ask why something or someone made your list.
What questions are in the 5-Minute Journal?
The 5-minute journal is designed to help you focus on the positive aspects of your day, and to set you up for a successful tomorrow. Each morning, you'll answer three simple questions: What are three things you're grateful for? What would make today great? And daily affirmation.
Then, at the end of the day, you'll answer two more questions: What were three amazing things that happened today? And how could today have been even better? The 5-minute journal is a great way to start your day on a positive note and to reflect on the good things that happened during your day. It's an easy way to boost your mood and motivation to set yourself up for success.
Is it better to write in your gratitude journal in the morning or evening?
There is no definitive answer to the question of whether it is better to write in your gratitude journal in the morning or evening. There are benefits to be had any time you are expressing gratitude. Ideally, you can do both. Otherwise, it will depend on what works better for you and your schedule. Experiment and see how you feel. Some people find it helpful to write down what they are grateful for first thing in the morning as a way to start the day on a positive note. Others prefer to reflect on their blessings at night as a way of winding down before bed.
Whichever time you choose, the important thing is to be consistent and make writing in your gratitude journal a part of your daily routine. By taking the time to reflect on all the good things in your life, you can help increase your overall happiness and well-being.
Guided Gratitude Journaling Programs For Key Life Areas
Gratitude For Friends
When it comes to the people we care about, sometimes it can be easy to take them for granted. We get busy with our lives, and before we know it, months have gone by without really taking the time to appreciate all that our friends do for us. That's where Gratitude For Friends comes in.
This guided journal program helps you take a step back and reflect on how your friends have supported you, been there for you, and helped you through thick and thin. The timed gratitude writing prompts make it easy to sit down and write about everything you're grateful for, no matter how busy your life gets. And as you start to notice all the little things your friends do for you, you'll feel more appreciative of them than ever before.
So whether you've been besties since elementary school or are just starting to build up your tribe, Gratitude For Friends is a program that can help you appreciate all the wonderful people in your life.
Gratitude For Nature
We all know how good it feels to spend time in nature. There's something about the fresh air, the sights, and sounds of the natural world that just make us feel more at peace. But in today's busy world, it can be hard to find the time to truly connect with nature. That's where Gratitude For Nature comes in.
This guided journal program features timed gratitude journaling prompts and soothing soundscapes to help you connect with nature on a deeper level and develop a greater sense of gratitude for all its bounty. Each prompt is designed to help you reflect on your relationship with nature and how it brings joy, comfort, or even challenge into your life.
The Gratitude For Nature program is more than just a journaling tool- it's a way to connect with nature on a deeper level and appreciate all the little things that make life so special.
Gratitude At Work
If you're looking for a way to find more enjoyment and meaning in your work, Gratitude At Work is perfect for you! This guided journal program features our timed journal prompt format and soothing soundscapes to help you be more grateful for your job and workplace. With just a few minutes of journaling each day, you'll start to see how much you have to be thankful for - no matter what industry you're in. Whether you're looking for more job satisfaction, better work-life balance, or simply want to feel more positive about your career, Gratitude At Work can help you get there.
Gratitude For The Past
It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and forget to take a step back and appreciate all that we have. Gratitude For The Past is a guided journaling program that makes it easy to reflect on the good in your life and feel grateful for all that has happened.
With timed journal prompts and ambient soundscapes, it's the perfect way to unwind and reflect on all the positive moments in your life. Whether you're taking a moment to be grateful for a recent accomplishment or looking back on a happy memory, this program makes it easy to appreciate all the good in your life.
Gratitude For The Body
Our bodies are amazing machines that work hard for us every day, and yet it's so easy to take them for granted. Gratitude For The Body is a guided journal program that helps you appreciate your body more. With timed journal prompts and soothing soundscapes, it's the perfect way to start or end the day. If you want to cultivate a more positive relationship with your body, Gratitude For The Body is an excellent tool.
Gratitude At Home
There's nothing quite like coming home after a long day. Whether you're taking off your shoes and sinking into your couch, crawling into your cozy bed, or just enjoying the noise of your family in the next room, your home is a special place. And Gratitude At Home is here to help you appreciate all the little things that make it so special.
With our guided journal program, you'll learn how to focus on the positive aspects of your home life, no matter what's happening in the outside world. From the comfort of your own couch to the warmth of your bed, you'll find ways to appreciate all the little things that make your home special.
Journaling For Gratitude
Sure, gratitude can feel amazing, but what if we could actually improve our mental and physical health by practicing gratitude regularly? That's where Journaling for Gratitude (Our original guided gratitude program) comes in!
This guided journal program is designed to help you slow down, appreciate the good in your life, and cultivate a more grateful attitude overall. With time-tied prompts, you'll be able to reflect on all the things you're thankful for daily.
Studies have shown that gratitude can have a positive impact on our mental health as well as the physical dimensions of being. It's even been linked to increased lifespan! So why not give journaling for gratitude a try? It's the perfect way to start your day positively or wind down before bed. Give it a shot and see how good it can feel to focus on the good in your life with daily gratitude journaling!
Gratitude For Money
If you're not grateful for money, you're missing out on one of the most powerful forces in the universe. Money is energy. It's always flowing, and it's attracted to those who are grateful for it. The more gratitude you have for money, the more money will flow into your life.
That's why we created Gratitude For Money – a guided journal program that helps you cultivate gratitude for money. With Gratitude For Money, you'll learn to see money in a whole new light. You'll be amazed at how much more money will flow into your life when you start being grateful for it. So don't wait – begin your journey to financial abundance today!
Gratitude For Family
Gratitude For Family is an amazing program that will help you appreciate your loved ones more. The program includes timed journal prompts that encourage you to reflect on what you're grateful for about your family. Discover a deeper appreciation for your spouse, kids, pets, etc. As you work through the prompts, you'll cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude and appreciation for the people who matter most to you. Moreover, you'll likely find yourself more connected and closer to your family due to your reflection and journaling.
Gratitude In Love
If you're feeling down about love, it's easy to forget all of the good moments and people in your life. Gratitude In Love is here to help you remember why love is worth fighting for. This guided journal program comes with timed journal prompts to help you be more grateful for the love in your life. By writing down what you're grateful for in your relationships, you'll start to see the positive moments and people more clearly. Soon, you'll be reminded of why you fell in love in the first place. Gratitude In Love will help you see the beauty in love, even when it's challenging.
The bottom line:
Gratitude journaling is a powerful tool that can help you focus on the positive in your life and find more happiness and bliss. Use these 30 gratitude journal prompts and our free journal prompts app to get started today. You’ll be amazed at how just a few minutes spent expressing gratitude each day can change your outlook and improve your life!