20 Reasons to Start A Gratitude Practice

At the beginning of 2015 I was in the middle of one of the most difficult transition periods of my life and things were HARD!!! Fear was a constant companion and every day felt like I was failing and getting nowhere fast. It was during this time that I started a daily gratitude practice.

I made a conscious decision to start recording the things I was grateful for at the end of each day. I understood that what I focused on is what would grow and I needed positive things growing in my life.

In 2015 I missed only 2 days of recording my gratitude list. Things did not get easier but my ability to be with the hard things did get better. I learned first hand the power that expressing gratitude has for combating fear and feelings of failure.

I continued my gratitude practice into 2016. We are 10 months into the year and I haven’t missed a day. Even on the really hard days (and there have been many), taking time to express my gratitude keeps me both grounded and hopeful.

Gratitude’s Benefits

Over these last two years, I have discovered numerous benefits to practicing gratitude. Experiencing these personally, I believe everyone should have a gratitude practice of some kind.

Here, in no particular order, are 20 reasons you might consider starting a one yourself:

1. Makes you happier
2. Encourages a satisfaction with what is, resisting the urge to strive for more and more
3. Shifts you out of the comparison game and improves self-esteem
4. Reduces frustrations and aggression
5. Opens you up to new things
6. Improves your physical health
7. Deepens connection with self
8. Deepens connection with others
9. Reduces fear’s hold on you
10. Improves your sleep
11. Helps you hold space for sorrow and grief
12. Brings you more peace
13. Energizes you
14. Attracts more abundance to you
15. Reveals your heart’s truest desire
16. Then motivates you to seek that desire
17. Increases empathy and compassion for others
18. Easier to bounce back after difficult time
19. Increases confidence
20. Allows you to embrace change with more ease

21 days to an attitude of gratitude

The habit of expressing gratitude consistently takes intentionality. It might seem daunting at first but, as the list above demonstrates, it is a practice worth developing.

Next month I am hosting a 21 Days of Gratitude challenge. The purpose of this challenge is to help you get in the habit of expressing your gratitude. Daily prompts will be provided to make it easier for you to get started. There will also be opportunities for you to connect with and support others who are also doing the same thing.

I hosted this challenge last year and had so much fun with it I’m doing it again. Click here to get all the details and to sign-up.

It takes 21 days to start a new habit. Join me for this challenge and by the end of November, you’ll have developed a habit that I KNOW will stay with you for a long time.

Here’s to you experiencing first hand gratitude’s benefits and rising into your greatness.

From my heart to yours,

P.S: The challenge kicks off on November 1^st. I wonder what will shift and open for you by the end of it? Click here to sign-up now and discover for yourself.