5 Simple Steps How to Practice Gratitude (Free Gratitude Journal)

Wondering how to practice gratitude? Well, here are 5 simple steps to start your journey toward being more grateful in life. And of course, don’t forget to grab a free gratitude journal.

Being grateful is one of the best ways to live a fulfilling and happy life.

I know sometimes it’s super easy to be absorbed in the constant feeling of unhappiness and dissatisfaction, that you forget anything good going on in your life.

Trust me, being grateful in all seasons of your life is honestly easier said than done.

But it is important to sometimes take a step back and acknowledge the good things in your life. This is because, when you regularly practice gratitude, overall you:

• Become a more positive person.
• Feel more alive and relaxed.
• Become inspired to do more.
• Have less anxiety and sleep better.
• Become a more compassionate and kind person.

Isn’t that how you want to feel to be the best version of yourself?

Well, if you want to ditch the lingering feeling of dissatisfaction and unhappiness, then let’s dive into the 5 simple steps you can take today, to practice gratitude.

5 Simple Steps to Practice Gratitude

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1. Be aware of your feelings

The first and most important step to learning how to practice gratitude is being aware of your feelings in this moment and time.

You have to dig deep within yourself to know where you’re at mentally and emotionally. Take it a step further and notice what triggers the good and bad feelings in your life. Is it relationships, career, environment, feeling stuck, or other people’s opinions? Moreover, know approximately how long it takes for you to get over your feelings.

Being aware of your feelings is so important, to help you notice the patterns of these positive emotions that make you feel happy, content, and, peaceful. As well as pay close attention to the negative emotions that make you feel disqualified, dissatisfied, guilty and shame.

The end goal of practicing gratitude is to nurture more of the positive while controlling and slowly letting go of the negative.

2. Heal your wounds

Secondly, for you to start practicing gratitude, you have to allow yourself to go through all the emotions first in difficult seasons.

It’s such a cliche when you’re going through hardship and sadness for someone to tell you, “just be positive,” “everything happens for a reason,” “it could be worse,” “just be grateful” etc.

Don’t you agree it just makes you feel even more sad and angry?

This is not because it’s bad advice, but it’s just the timing of it all. For you to heal and feel positive and grateful again, you have to allow yourself to go through all the emotions first. And that takes time.

But hold up, don’t be hosting any pity party for years. At some point, you will have to get out of bed and be strong.

Allowing yourself to go through your deep emotions will not only heal your wounds but also, reveal the good things that are working in your favor. And those are things to be grateful for.

See also 9 tips to help you overcome challenges

3. Allow yourself to grow

Have you ever felt or been told that you’re ungrateful because you want more in life? I choose to completely disagree and disregard that statement. And so should you.

In life, you can have both. You can be grateful and content with your life as you strive to do better. Don’t feel the need to pick or choose one or the other.

In fact, let’s be clear, being grateful doesn’t mean settling for less. So, NEVER EVER limit yourself because you’re choosing to just be “grateful.”

Yes, gratitude correlates with growth. For example, you can be grateful for the job you have, as you strive to get a promotion or another one that pays more and has a better work-to-life balance. Ain’t nothing wrong with that.

So, practice gratitude by being thankful for the good things that are going on in your life as well as using that as a stepping point towards getting to another level of accomplishment.

4. Express your gratitude

In order for you to practice gratitude, you have to hold yourself accountable, take action and express your gratitude.

Make it your personal mission to try your best to soak up the feeling of gratitude day in and day out. And don’t let anybody discourage you from expressing how thankful you are for the good things in your life.

For example, you can express your gratitude by:

• Start a gratitude journal and write down at least 3 things you’re grateful for every day.
• Being kind to yourself and showing compassion to others.
• Changing your thoughts to be more positive saying affirmations.
• Giving back.
• Showing appreciation to yourself and others.

You just have to get real about your gratitude practice in order to feel happy and content.

See also 101 positive affirmations for motivation and confidence boost

5. Have faith and hope to practice gratitude

Lastly, for you to practice gratitude you have to have everlasting faith and hope in God. Even during difficult times, you have to acknowledge and believe that he is sufficient.

When your life is rooted in faith, you can conquer it all for He is with you.

So deep down in your heart, have a prayer of gratitude and rejoice in the Lord for what He is doing in your life.

And trust me, you will see how much your life will transform.

See also: How to start a prayer journal

Free Gratitude Journal

Also, as promised, here is a free gratitude journal with 7 cute templates you’d absolutely love. Click to download it below. The basic essential guide to help you be more grateful in life.

Last Thoughts

In conclusion, I hope these 5 steps will help you practice gratitude and become a better version of yourself. Remember, that becoming more grateful in life, doesn’t happen overnight, but is something you have to work really hard on yourself. You got this!!!

Cheers to one more step towards becoming the best version of yourself in this season of your life.

Also, let me know in the comments what‘s one thing that you’re super grateful for in life.

And if this blog post resonated with you, please let’s be friends. Join my newsletter below, because I can’t wait to chat with you more on a personal level.