This post may contain affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you purchase something I recommend- at no additional cost to you! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting this blog! Full disclosure here.
As the new year approaches, a great way to get a fresh start is to start the year with an “attitude of gratitude”. This free printable gratitude journal template is the perfect way to motivate yourself to start each day with a grateful heart.
Each year when we set our new year resolutions, it’s easy to start thinking about everything we lack. If only I was thinner, more organized, debt free, etc, THEN life would be better. Believe me, I fall into this trap ALL the time!
In fact, since we started our LONG debt free journey in the beginning of 2019, staying in a place of gratitude has probably been the most difficult thing to do along the way.
Instead of enjoying the journey of getting our finances together, and living every day in the present, I often find myself longing for the days when we can have a larger house, more vacations, and simply more wiggle room in the budget, instead of thinking about how to make every day special and important.
That’s ultimately why I love writing this blog, as it keeps me motivated to think up ALL of the fun things there really are to do for little or no cash, and share them with you!
Frugal really can be fun, but it does take a bit of a mindset shift, especially with the way our culture is today at promoting the MORE, MORE, MORE lifestyle.
What do you write in a Gratitude Journal?
Ultimately, you can write anything you’d like, however I do have a tip to make your gratitude journal more effective.
When we think of things that make us feel grateful, we usually go straight for family, friends, health, etc. These items are a great start, but if you want to feel the effects of your gratitude journal, then it’s important to choose EXTREMELY specific items on your gratitude list.
Write VERY specific things that you are grateful for in your journal
For example, as I’m writing this post our entire family is down with the flu for Christmas! We won’t be able to join the rest of our family for the holiday festivities and we are feeling overall pretty crummy. It’s easy to fall out of a heart of gratitude with all of this going one, but my gratitude journal today looks like this:
- Access to Theraflu, Tylenol, and Vitamin C supplements that are getting us well fast.
- My husband already has the gift wrapping finished, so we won’t need to stay up late and can rest.
- Grateful for our electronic devices that are keeping us entertained on the couch for days (although any other day they are my nemesis! ha!)
- Thankful it’s the flu and not that other yucky virus who shall not be named!
- Hot Cocoa, warm apple cider, and endless access to holiday movies!
As you can see, these are very specific things, and just writing them down right now put me in an overall better mood. Once you start doing this every day, you will find yourself looking for things to write in your journal every day. It will help you find the joy in little things more often.
Use Gratitude Prompts to help you write in your journal
If you are new to the art of gratitude journaling, you might find it easier to use guided journal prompts. You’ll love my 30 Days of Gratitude printable which is not only super cute, but includes a brand new journal prompt each day for 30 days to help you find gratitude.
Download the free Gratitude Journal PDF Printable by filling out the form below:
Write Gratitude Quotes in your journal to inspire you
If you’re still struggling with ideas on what to include in your gratitude journal, simply re-writing quotes about gratitude can be a helpful practice in finding joy.
I know I get inspired when I see a refreshing gratitude quote as I scroll through Instagram.
Try re-writing a few of these inspiring gratitude quotes each morning in your gratitude journal. Some people enjoy coloring the quotes or practicing calligraphy which is also super relaxing and fun!
10 Short Quotes about Gratitude to write in your Journal
“When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out and the tide of love rushes in.”
Kristin Armstrong
“Gratitude is riches, complaint is poverty.”
Doris Day
“This is a wonderful day, I have never seen this one before.”
Maya Angelou
“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”
Robert Brault
“The heart that gives thanks is a happy one, for we cannot feel thankful and unhappy at the same time.”
Douglas Wood
“Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.”
Amy Collette
“Gratitude and attitude are not challenges; they are choices.”
Robert Braathe
“Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.”
Karl Barth
“Be in love with your life. Every detail of it.”
Jack Kerouac
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.”
Melody Beattie
Starting a gratitude journal is one of the best things you can do for yourself this year! Whether you use my free printable gratitude journal, or start your own in a bullet journal or notebook, I hope you’ll decide to start the practice of gratitude journaling this year.
Have you started a gratitude journal? What’s your favorite part about writing in your journal? Let me know in the comments below!
hi! I'm shannon
I’m a wife, mom of three, doctor, and blogger! In 2018, I decided to turn my mom blog, into a personal finance blog so others could follow along on our journey to pay off over HALF a MILLION dollars in student loan and practice start up debt. I hope you enjoy following along, and maybe even find some inspiration along the way.
