Why I Started A Thankfulness Journal

I’ve been wanting to challenge myself to keep a thankfulness journal, partly because I keep coming across studies about the benefits of practicing gratitude (and gratitude journaling). This study concludes that the positive effects of gratitude on people with chronic illness warrant more research. I also read a great blog post on Adventures of a Sick Chick that makes the observation that no matter our circumstances, “Gratitude is a choice.” I want to take more time to choose gratitude in my life.

I think it’s especially important to practice thankfulness when it is hard to think of things to be thankful for. There’s a reason I called this a challenge. My sense of gratitude is something I am not going to let my chronic illnesses or my circumstances take away from me.

The Psalms are full of calls to give thanks to God, and Colossians 4:2 tells us, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” (NIV). If we’re not devoted to thankfulness, it is a remarkably easy practice to forget.

I settled on six weeks for my challenge, and I’m just wrapping up the fourth week. The last day will just happen to fall on Easter. I wanted to keep the challenge simple, so I set the goal of writing down three things I’m thankful for each day. It’s no wonder bullet journaling has taken off as such a popular trend—I like the ease of just jotting down one word or brief sentences for each of my three bullet points.

I wanted to look forward to journaling, so I wanted to set up my journal to make it as easy as possible. The prep work meant labeling the pages Week 1 through Week 6 and writing in the days using fun, colorful pens. (You know your fatigue is bad when you’re worried that having to write the date will be a barrier to journaling!) Now the pages look inviting, and all I have to do is fill in the blanks.

The things I’ve written in my journal run the gamut from small to large. So far I’ve been thankful for things from chocolate, YouTube videos that make me laugh, and a sunny day to being able to start a blog, a friend’s successful surgery, and a wonderfully encouraging conversation with God. (And so far I’ve only skipped two days, which I think is a pretty good record.)

And I have experienced any benefit so far? Yes!

I find that I’m actively watching throughout the day for things to be thankful for. I’ve found this practice has helped me reclaim a sense of anticipation for the coming day. Anticipation is one of the many things chronic illness tries to take away from us. Amidst all the uncertainty and symptoms and just plain exhaustion of chronic illness, it’s easy to lose the feeling that there are things to look forward to. Journaling what I’m thankful for has helped me focus on the fact that, no matter what each day brings, I know it will bring at the very least three things to be thankful for.

I’m excited to see what additional insights and benefits the next two weeks of thankfulness journaling brings.

Are you planning to start a thankfulness journal of your own? I’d love to hear the results! Share your thoughts in the comments.