Practicing gratitude, like engaging in a 30-day journal challenge, can change your whole outlook on life. As the saying goes, gratitude unlocks the fullness of life and turns what we have into enough. One way to practice gratitude is to use a gratitude calendar.
A gratitude calendar printable can help you track and reflect on the things you’re grateful for. This article guides you on using a gratitude calendar printable to cultivate daily thankfulness.
What is gratitude, anyway?
Practicing gratitude creates space in your life by opening your heart and relaxing your body. Living a life of gratitude brings a quiet joy. And remembering what you’re grateful for can help you shift your perspective, even finding the positives in tough situations.
Mindful living invites us back to the present moment, which can interrupt the effects of stress. A gratitude calendar can help you live more mindfully.
Designing Your Gratitude Calendar Printable
You can design your gratitude calendar in a few different ways. You might want a broad overview with a monthly calendar, or you might prefer a daily calendar that gives you a chance to jot down something specific each day.
When you design your calendar, make sure there’s plenty of space to write down the things you feel grateful for.
You can create a printable PDF to write on, or explore options like a 5-minute journal app to use on your tablet or computer.
If you feel stuck, prompts can help you get started and encourage you to really think about what you appreciate. Here are some prompts you can use:
- What am I grateful for today?
- Who made me smile today?
- Who makes me laugh the most? (Send them a text telling them how much you appreciate them!)
- What gift can I find in a challenge?
You can also create a gratitude calendar around a specific theme like nature or relationships.
How to use your gratitude calendar
The key to making gratitude work for you is consistency. Try to make writing in your gratitude calendar a daily habit.
Here are some tips to help you use your gratitude calendar effectively:
- Set aside a specific time each day to reflect on what you’re grateful for. Maybe first thing in the morning or right before bed.
- Be as specific as possible. Instead of “I’m grateful for my friends,” try “I’m grateful for my friend Sarah, who always knows how to make me laugh.”
- Look back at old entries to see how far you’ve come and to remind yourself of all the good things in your life.
The Bottom Line
A gratitude calendar, or even adopting a 5-minute journal practice, can be a great way to focus on the positive things in your life and be more mindful. Practicing gratitude on a regular basis can help you feel more fulfilled and look at the world in a more positive way.
Why not download a printable gratitude calendar or make your own? Start today!