How To Write A Gratitude List That Truly Inspires You
In a culture that constantly nudges us to want more, buy more, and compare ourselves to others, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s already good in our lives. There is a lot of energy pushing us to focus on what we lack.
If you’re craving a way to recenter yourself and reconnect with a sense of contentment, a weekly gratitude list is a powerful place to start. It’s simple, grounding, and something I personally practice because it works.
Gratitude shifts your attention from what’s missing to what’s already supporting you.
Research shows that what you focus on shapes how you feel, and can even have tangible impacts on your physical health and resilience (see this Johns Hopkins article), so it is key to focus on the things that make you feel good and satisfied with what you have now. When you intentionally notice the things that make your life easier, richer, or more meaningful, you naturally increase your resistance to stress and boost your mood.
You can begin a gratitude practice today that feels genuine and energizing. Here are some ideas to help you get started.
Weekly Gratitude List Ideas:
My home
Favorite features of my home
My relationship with (x)
Connections with people I love
Connections with pets/animals at a shelter
3 Things I use daily that I would greatly miss if they didn’t exist/weren’t invented
Modern amenities (electricity running water, stove, refrigerator, etc)
Literacy, any education or training I have received that makes me more capable
Any abilities or skills I have
Health/access to medical care
My 5 senses (life would be pretty hard without those!)
Sleep
Basic safety
Access to food (can go to grocery store instead of having to grow own food)
Favorite snacks, foods, restaurants
People who provide services for me (make coffee, do my taxes, plan my community’s events, pick up trash)
Activities that make me happy (knitting, biking, watching birds, etc)
Having the supplies/accessories to do the activities (yarn, a bike, binoculars, etc)
Libraries, other services that add value to my life
Beloved belongings
Working car, transportation access
Working electronics (computer, phone, etc)
Anything I look forward to (upcoming trip, event, holiday, etc)
Experiences that make me happy (laughter, a beautiful sunrise/sunset, a bonfire, being cozy under a blanket, feeling the warm sunshine, etc)
Anything I appreciate from art or nature
… Or other ideas of your own!
After You Write Your List
Take a moment to sit with what you’ve written. Let yourself really feel the abundance that already exists in your life — the comforts, the connections, the opportunities, the simple pleasures. Notice any sense of calm or contentment that arises, and allow it to settle into your body so you can carry it with you throughout your day.
