If this year has taught us anything, it’s that learning how to establish the right mindset can help us better handle life.

While we can all complain about what isn’t working or what’s gone wrong, the truth is – we have control over the quality of our thoughts. That’s why regularly writing in a gratitude journal can help us to reflect on what is working, what we are appreciative of, and to count all the blessings in our lives. Bottom line – we’re more blessed than we often realize. Just compare yourself to someone else (who has faced even more adversity), and it will help to put everything into a greater perspective for you.

Here are 3 reasons why a gratitude journal can help to transform your life (and mindset) for the best.

A gratitude journal can help you choose happier thoughts.

One of my daily morning routine rituals is to write in my gratitude journal. I allow the free flow of thoughts to go from my mind to the paper. Whether I’m thinking about my life, my family and loved ones, my work, my home, or my experiences – I take note of everything I appreciate. As I write down everything I am grateful for, I notice that my mind starts to calm, a sense of happiness comes over me, and I go into a deep state of bliss and peace. This practice has helped me strengthen my ability to choose happier thoughts, and it helps to set a positive tone for the day.

A gratitude journal can teach us how much we already have.

As humans, we’re often fixated on future thoughts – what we want, what we don’t have, what we’re wishing for. However, this future-oriented thinking leads to a feeling of unfulfillment in the present moment. By slowing down to appreciate what is already in our lives, we shift from a feeling of wanting to one of contentment. This dynamic shift can help us transform our emotional state, as it leads to greater satisfaction and joy. As Oprah says, “Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”

A gratitude journal helps us to manifest more blessings.

One of the secrets to manifesting a life you love is to be grateful for what you already have.

It’s been said that this practice tells the Universe you are open to receiving more – more love, abundance, health, and happiness. Think about it like a personal relationship. When you express appreciation to someone for what they give you, they tend to feel inspired to give you more. This reward system is similar to how the Universe (or God), responds to our thoughts and feelings. By focusing on gratitude, it puts us into a mindset of abundance, which helps us to attract more of what we want. By regularly writing in a gratitude journal, it can profoundly transform the quality of our thoughts, feelings, and life.

Instead of dwelling on what you don’t have, take some time to think about what you do have. While life might not be ideal, everything can be viewed as a blessing – a learning lesson, a challenge that helps you grow, and even an opportunity to choose to become your best self. Your mindset is up to you. So, are you choosing to focus on what you are grateful for?

Shop The Guide:

[Disclosure: Affiliate links included. Featured image by Hannah Olinger on Unsplash; Article images by Inspirations & Celebrations]