Why Everyone Should Include Gratitude in Their Journal

Gratitude is the practice of recognizing and showing appreciation for the good things in 
your life. No matter who you are and what your life is like, there are always blessings to 
be grateful for. Big things, small things, and everything in between.

As you start introducing journaling to your kids and teenagers, it is helpful to show them 
the benefits of gratitude, and a journal is a great way to practice gratitude on a daily 
basis.
 

The Power of Gratitude 

Gratitude is one of the simplest, and most powerful practices for everyone, including 
kids and teenagers. You gain a lot just by showing your gratitude, for people of all ages. 

Expressing gratitude on a daily basis lets you see all the joys and blessings in your life, 
before you start writing in your journal about anything upsetting you. You are able to 
look objectively at your life, to see both the good and the bad. It is also really helpful in 
moments of stress or anxiety, where for those brief moments, you are able to look 
beyond it.


How to Use a Journal for Gratitude

The good news is, this is incredibly easy to do with a journal. All your kids have to do is 
write out a list of what they are grateful for each day. You can give them a specific topic, 
though it’s often easier just for them to think of something int heir life they appreciate, 
and write it down. 

Remember gratitude can be anything from eating a meal they enjoyed to having good 
friends. Kids and teens while think of a wide range of things they appreciate, and the 
more they write it down, the more things that will come to mind.


Tips for Making the Most Out of a Gratitude Practice

Want to make the most out of your gratitude practice? Here are some ways to do that, 
for yourself, and when teaching your kids.

Give them a specific number of things. This can help a lot when kids first start out, not 
knowing if they need 3 or 20. Start them with 3-5 things a day, increasing it to 10 when 
they feel ready. 

Keep it short. Let your kids know they don’t need a long explanation, just a simple 
phrase that explains what they are grateful for.

Have a journal just for gratitude. This is another good idea, because they know when 
they open up that journal or notebook, it is specifically for expressing their gratitude.




