A Year of Gratitude

How Gratitude Journaling Saved My Sanity

Ever feel like the universe is out to get you? That's where I was a year ago - angry, depressed, and honestly, losing my grip. A dream vacation turned COVID nightmare had pushed me over the edge. But then, almost by accident, I stumbled onto something that would change everything: gratitude journaling.

Yeah, I know what you're thinking. "Gratitude journaling? Seriously?" Trust me, I was just as sceptical. But stick with me here, because what happened over the next 365 days was nothing short of a total life overhaul.

This isn't some wishy-washy "think positive" fluff. This is the raw, real story of how scribbling down a few I’m gratefuls every day dragged me out a particularly dark period of my life. So grab a cup of coffee (or tea, or whatever gets you through the day), and let me tell you how being thankful for the little things saved my sanity.

Vacation Gone Viral 🏖️🤒💔

About 14 months ago, I went on a trip to the US. I was at breaking point physically and emotionally and this was supposed to be an opportunity for a reset. I'd been planning it for almost a year, really hanging on for that trip. But you know what they say about best-laid plans, right?

I caught COVID from day one. I even gave it to my dear friend who I was staying with. Even worse, I didn't even realise it was COVID (just a really bad flu) until she tested positive. I'm not 100% sure she's totally forgiven me, to be perfectly honest. Two weeks of annual leave, completely wasted. I came back angry at God, angry at myself for not wearing a mask on the plane, and feeling like the whole thing was just a massive waste of time and money.

The next few months were just... rough. Really rough. I sank into a deep depression. It didn't help that I'd had a particularly traumatizing time at work over a project before the trip. So yeah, I was in a bad place.

The Gratitude Journey Begins 🙏 🌱

During that ill-fated trip, I visited some family friends in Boston where I encountered a fantastic devotional called "Jesus Calling". The first time I heard someone reading from it, something in my spirit just... clicked.

That devotional? It kept me afloat. It really kept me tethered to sanity.

Somewhere in that devotional, there was this idea about practicing an attitude of gratitude for a happier life. By the time I got out of my funk  (about two months after the trip) I was tired. Tired of sinking into a deep well every time life threw new and unwelcome challenges my way.

So I thought, "Okay, I'm going to give this gratitude journaling thing a go."

I found a brilliant app called Gratitude. I liked it because it was colourful and had random prompts for each entry. Even if I couldn't think of something to be grateful for that day, the prompt would give me something.

Day One 1️⃣✍️

Saturday, July 15, 2023. That's when it all started. Here's my first entry:

"I am grateful for my sister and her husband. I'm so grateful for allowing me to vent after a rough day at work. They listened patiently without judging and gave examples from their own experiences that really encouraged me. They made me feel loved, supported and valued. Thank you."

Screenshot from the Gratitude app

One Year Later 🗓️🎉

Today, I have 200+ entries on that app. Some days I wrote about one or two things I was grateful for. Other entries had up to 20 reasons to be grateful.

I can say, without a shadow of doubt, that I am a much happier person today than I was a year ago. Much happier. By leaps and bounds. To the point that friends and family are noticing and commenting on it. My husband is especially giddy about the change in me.

Here’s the thing though - we've had a pretty challenging year from family to work to finances. But somehow, there was still an incredible amount of things to be grateful for when I took the time to look.

It Really Works 🧠🔑

This isn't just some "aspire to perspire before you expire" thing. It actually does work when you put in the work. You see the results fairly quickly. That's what keeps you doing it. In the months or the long periods where I didn't do it, I started to feel the difference in my outlook and my moods.

Now, I'm not saying gratitude journaling is some magic pill that'll solve all your problems. It's not. What it is, though, is a pair of glasses that helps you see the world a little differently. And sometimes, that's all we need to start turning things around.

It's not about having what you want, but wanting what you have.

The Challenge 🎯

So here's my challenge to you: try it for a week. Just seven days. Find one thing each day to be grateful for and write it down. It can be as simple as 'I'm grateful for tea' (trust me, that one's made my list more than once). At the end of the week, see how you feel. Be patient with yourself.

And remember, every day might not be good, but there's something good in every day. You just have to look for it.

If you do take on the attitude of gratitude challenge, drop me a line. I'd love to hear about it.

Until next time.

Ayakin

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