Gratitude is something we celebrate around the table at Thanksgiving every fall. It’s a time when we intentionally count our blessings and appreciate all we have. But what if we learned to live with that mindset every day? How would the power of gratitude impact you and your creative work?
As writers, we need to learn the value of gratitude and how it can improve our overall wellness. In this article, I’ll share four ways to use gratitude as part of your self-care routine.
Four Ways To Harness The Power of Gratitude:
How Gratitude Works
Most would define gratitude as the willingness to express a thankful attitude for the people and blessings in your life. But stop there, and you’ll miss out on the full measure of what this gift can really do for you.
To fully experience gratitude’s benefits, you must understand that it comes with two requirements. First, it requires an attitude of humility. And second, gratitude has to be expressed toward someone else. Humility places us in the right mindset. It positions us to be able to ‘give thanks.’ But it only works when we give that thanks to someone else. It can be God, a family member, a friend, or a total stranger, but giving your thanks to someone is how you complete the transaction.
Consider this as you review these tips for harnessing the power of gratitude.
Appreciate The Small Things
The demands of daily life can often leave us feeling drained and burdened by negative mindsets. That’s why slowing down and focusing on the positive is essential.
Start by being grateful for the small things you usually take for granted. Be thankful for the essentials like food, shelter, and clothing, and then expand your view to include all the additional blessings you get to enjoy every day. Recognizing that others may not benefit from those things helps you value them more.
Live In The Now
Being present in the moment can be difficult when your mind wants to dwell on your creative work. By living in the now, you allow yourself to be present, content, and grateful for what matters most.
Learn to set aside your creative aspirations from time to time so you can experience the moment and develop an appreciation for your life as a whole. You might be surprised at how those moments will benefit your productivity later.
Stay Grounded
Most people associate negative mindsets with difficult situations. But times of celebration and success can be equally challenging, especially when they cause you to lose focus on what matters most.
Maintaining an attitude of gratitude involves staying humble in any circumstance. Whether in the middle of a difficult season or enjoying a time of success, stay grounded by remaining thankful for every blessing.
Write About It
Mindfully expressing gratitude can be more meaningful when incorporated into your daily writing routine. Keeping a gratitude journal lets you record the things you’re thankful for so you can reflect on them later.
Use your gifts as a writer to center in on your own personal style of gratitude. You can write diary entries or compose poetry and songs. These practices can change your outlook and allow you to incorporate gratitude into your daily life.
Summing it up
Practicing gratitude can help you experience new physical, emotional, and spiritual levels. Being intentional about acknowledging those blessings will help you grow and mature as a writer and foster new levels of creativity.
Use this list to help you develop your own unique style as you strive to make gratitude an essential part of your daily routine. Stay grounded no matter what circumstances you find yourself in. Maintain that attitude of gratitude. And above all, keep writing!
Until next time,
