Being the week of Thanksgiving, let’s talk about how we can practice gratitude now and throughout the year. After reading this post, take some time to reflect and think about what you’re grateful for today.

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Keep a Gratitude Journal
This may sound daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Practice gratitude and self-care every day by writing down 1-3 things that you’re grateful for at that moment. Get excited about keeping a gratitude journal and make getting started as easy as possible by using a great gratitude journal like this one, the one that I use.
Donate
Go through your closet and get rid of anything you haven’t reached for in the past 6 months. Ridding yourself of excess and passing along your garments to those that will enjoy them and use them will feel amazing.
Volunteer
Find something that you enjoy doing that will help others. Make this an opportunity to spend time with friends and family by recruiting them to volunteer with you. Find local volunteer opportunities here: VolunteerMatch.org.
Take A Walk
Walk by yourself and take the time to appreciate nature and your surroundings. If you have a furry friend, take them along with you. Dogs are always ready for a walk with you! Getting outdoors is great for both of you.
Write A Thank You Note
Who you write the note to is totally up to you, you could even write it to yourself. Here are some other ideas, write it to your child’s teacher, your mailperson, your parents, a friend, or someone who recently helped you out.
Write A Positive Review
If you’ve recently experienced some exceptional customer service or dined on a truly delicious meal, let the business and others know! Share your experience to relive the great time that you had and to recommend it to others. This is an especially wonderful thing to do for local businesses.
Share Something That You Are #grateful For On Social Media
Skip politics and religion, put some positivity on social media by sharing what you’re grateful for. When you do, encourage others to do the same!
Make A Handmade Gift
I love getting crafty, as you can see here. I really enjoy creating something handmade and keeping it for myself or gifting it to someone else. Some great and useful handmade gifts are body scrubs, soaps, bath bombs, and candles.
Name Something That You’re Grateful For At The Dinner Table
This is a tradition at my father’s Thanksgiving dinner table and is obviously perfect for Thanksgiving, but it can be done any night of the year. Take a minute before diving into dinner and go around the table naming what you’re grateful for that evening.
Meditate And Think About What You’re Grateful For
Sit down for a moment, somewhere quiet, and simply think about what you’re grateful for. You could take a few minutes to do this right now! Go ahead, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to get started. After a few minutes of meditating on what you’re grateful for, open your eyes slowly and finish reading this post. 🙂
Photograph Things You’re Grateful For and Make A Collage
I love this idea and plan on doing it! Drive around your town, walk around your neighborhood, or walk around the house and snap some quick pics of things you’re thankful for. Besides your family, friends, and pets, here’s some inspiration: photograph running water, your clothes, your bed, books, your view, any little thing that you might be taking for granted.
Thank Everyone Who Helps You Throughout The Day
I recently read an article about thanking bus drivers, do they appreciate it or are they indifferent? Apparently, they greatly appreciate it. Make someone’s day today by simply thanking them!
Any more ideas on ways to practice gratitude? Please share them!
If you’re traveling for Thanksgiving this week, safe travels! I wish all of you lovely people a very happy Thanksgiving!
Would you like to know what I’m grateful for? YOU!
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Great post! Being grateful for all the little things around us is a key to happiness. I have uploaded an article on my website written by my daughter titled things to be grateful for – https://authorjoannereed.net/things-to-be-grateful-for/ – Feel free to check it out!
This was a great post. Great ideas I love the photo idea something I never thought about.
Author
Thank you! I really like that idea too! 🙂
These are such great ideas – I love the journals, I miss writing now that I type on my laptop most days!
Author
Same here!! It just feels good to write sometimes!
Will work towards taking pictures as a form of gratitude.
Good tips you’ve pointed out
Author
Thank you! I love the taking pictures idea too!
Love the positivity and gratitude! What a wonderful list. Thanks so much for sharing.
Author
You’re welcome!! Glad you enjoyed it!