Expressing gratitude doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. In fact, making the effort to express your appreciation on a daily basis can yield immense rewards in terms of improved mental health and greater overall happiness. While it may not seem like much at first, implementing small steps that help you recognise and verbalise moments that make you feel grateful can dramatically increase your well-being over time. From writing thank-you notes to spending quality time with loved ones, read on to discover simple ways to express gratitude daily!
Create a gratitude journal and jot down positive moments throughout the day
Gratitude can take your outlook on life to a whole new level and you can start taking advantage of its power just by creating a gratitude journal. If you haven’t done this before, it’s so simple: All you need is the Making Bold Moves Notebook to jot down, sketch or draw all the positive moments that are happening throughout your day. Starting the day with a few words or sentences expressing thanks or appreciation can have profound effects and has the potential to turn stressful or low days into bright, optimistic days filled with joy. Keeping track of all these positive moments of happiness creates an attitude of hope and faith that things will get better if you stay grateful for what you already have. This is a great way to express gratitude daily.
Share your appreciation with others – let them know how much you appreciate their presence in your life
We all need to appreciate the people around us and let them know just how much we appreciate them. Expressing gratitude can be a powerful way to shift your outlook as well as positively impact others. Showing others how much we value and appreciate their presence in our lives are moments that should be held dear. Appreciating someone for something small yet meaningful can change the atmosphere around us and remind us of the importance of the relationships we share with those close to us. Think of one person you can show appreciation for and reach out to them today by whatever method you are most comfortable with.
Make it a habit to give thanks when receiving something from someone else
Giving a heartfelt thank you when someone offers us something is a practice that not only displays good manners, but is truly rewarding to both the giver and the receiver. We may often take things for granted, and forget to stop and express our appreciation when given something, whether that be material items or kindness. Making gratitude a habit will help you find joy in every day’s small gifts. Every time you recognise a gift with a genuine thank you, you create an uplifting moment: for you and for the person who gave it. Being able to recognise these moments of generosity will lead to increased feelings of positivity in your life. Taking time each day to say thank you is truly invaluable and will refresh your soul in more ways than one. There isn’t a day that goes by when I’m not saying thank you for something. It’s one of my personal core ways to express gratitude daily and it’s so easy to do.
Take time to recognise the small, seemingly insignificant moments in life that bring joy and happiness
Taking the time to appreciate our lives, in all its unique nuances, is a powerful choice. That’s why making a conscious effort to recognise and savour the small moments of joy is essential to living a fulfilling life. Whether that’s savouring coffee while watching the sunrise, getting lost in a good book on a lazy Sunday afternoon, or hearing your favourite song on the radio – pause and give yourself the gift of acknowledging these seemingly insignificant moments. You may be pleasantly surprised at how much appreciation can change your mood and help you find moments of true happiness in everyday life.
Participate in random acts of kindness to bring smiles to other people’s faces
Participating in random acts of kindness is a wonderful way to express gratitude daily. Make it a point to find ways throughout the week to do something nice and spontaneous for someone else, whether it be making them a cup of hot chocolate (my fav) or coffee, sending them a Prezzee if financially feasible, offering to support them with something they may need help with, or writing an encouraging note. Taking the initiative to brighten up someone else’s day is a simple, yet beautiful thing we all have the ability to influence and do.
Gratitude can be an extremely powerful tool for enhancing your overall happiness and well-being. One of the best ways to cultivate an attitude of gratitude is to start a gratitude journal, which can help you see the beauty in everyday life. You can also express your appreciation to others, recognising their priceless presence in your life. As you continue to practise empathy and make a habit of saying thank you when you receive something, you will begin to appreciate the small moments that bring lasting joy and contentment into your life. Last but not least, random acts of kindness provide a way for us to recognise and cherish the simple pleasures in life, while bringing smiles to our own faces as well as those around us. With each step towards cultivating an attitude of appreciation and gratitude, we are reminded to pause for a moment and savour the little things that fill our present with joy.
What ways do you, or will you start to express gratitude daily?
