How to Use Gratitude to Create Positive Change in Your Life

Consistent gratitude is one of the most powerful tools you can use to encourage positive change in your life. Gratitude isn’t a magical shortcut, though. It doesn’t automatically create changes outside of yourself. What it can do, however, is open you up to possibilities.

 

As you become aware of the blessings already present in your life, you naturally begin to focus on the positive aspects more, which produces a more positive outlook on life. This change takes place as you begin to express your gratitude toward others, and begin feeling more gratitude for everything in your life that brings you joy.

Become More Receptive to Positivity

A great way to increase your awareness of the good in your life is to start a gratitude journal. You don’t have to wait for something fabulous to come into your life to feel gratitude. Instead, take a few minutes to write down everything you’re thankful for a few minutes every day.

You can feel grateful for anything, big or small.On those days when you feel as if you have nothing to be grateful for, remember the little things. They matter. What about the air you’re breathing or the food in your pantry, or maybe a smile from a stranger. Size doesn’t matter. If it brings you joy and you’re grateful–write it down!

You can feel grateful for anything, big or small.On those days when you feel as if you have nothing to be grateful for, remember the little things. They matter.Click To Tweet

Once you realize how many things there are in your life to be grateful for, you’ll find yourself thinking more about the blessings in your life. After a few weeks of journaling your gratitude, you may even find yourself noticing more and more positivity and “luck” in your life.

You’ve trained your brain to spot positive opportunities!

Use Your Gratitude as a Tool

Gratitude can also help you become a stronger person. Use gratitude proactively to arm yourself against the inevitable negativity and tough times we all face at some point. You can’t avoid the rough spots, but you can learn to focus on what you do have rather than what you don’t have.

A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology entitled “Counting Blessings versus Burdens: An Experimental Investigation of Gratitude and Subjective Well-Being in Daily Life” found that “those who maintained a grateful attitude experienced greater physical and psychological well-being.”

The study claims that daily gratitude increases self-esteem. It also reduces materialism, envy, and self-centered tendencies. Gratitude can also help you form more meaningful relationships. People who consistently express gratitude are trusted more than those who don’t.

Other studies also suggest that as you cultivate more gratitude, you’re far more likely to handle stress in a positive manner rather than negatively. By keeping the things you’re thankful for in your mind, you can actually reduce stress. (And who couldn’t use a little less stress, right?) 

All of these effects combine to create positive changes and possibilities in your life that you may not have noticed before. So go on–start a gratitude journal today! Open yourself up to the benefits of gratitude!

Share your thoughts: How do you feel about starting a gratitude journal? It’s doable, right?