When I was new to the practice of gratitude, I wasn’t quite sure how I could stay consistent with it for a long period of time. I knew why I wanted to practice it daily, but sometimes life got in the way and I used to fall off track. As someone who struggles with consistency even for things that matter to me, I found a few ways to get more comfortable with the habit of noticing more of what I’m grateful for. These were small rituals I could practice to ease into the habit of appreciation, or feeling gratitude.
So, for those who are new to the practice of gratitude and would love to make it a part of their life, a way of living, or a new perspective to adopt, this blog explores some gratitude rituals that will help you consciously recognize and appreciate the blessings in life.
Gratitude Rituals To Practice The Art Of Appreciation
- Journaling: Take a blank unused notebook, keep it near your bed and simply list down 3 things that went well for you every day. These could be as simple as “I went for a walk,” “I had three meals today,” or “I am going to bed on time.”
- Digital Reminders: Life gets busy and the greatest gift we have to help us remember what matters is our devices. Set up an alarm around a time in your day when you need upliftment, a pause, or a moment of peace. Label the alarm as something that brings you in the present and grounds you, for example, “What is a small comfort I’m experiencing right now?” or “What is something around me right now that I appreciate?” You can also set up such reminders in the Gratitude App and note your reflection down easily.
- Look at nature with curiosity, awe and wonder: Do you remember the feeling you get when looking at a sky full of stars, catching a breath-taking sunset on a mountain, or finding a vivid flower or butterfly near you and getting lost in its beauty? When we begin to notice more of what’s around us with awe, wonder, and a sense of curiosity, we begin to feel more connected to the world and an appreciation for it all arrives naturally. Notice these moments more. Stay with them. And gratitude will arrive naturally.
- Volunteer or be of service: Helping someone else, may instantly help you feel more fulfilled. This can look like a tiny act of bringing someone coffee, helping a friend out with a chore, or donating something you don’t need. No matter how big or small the act, being of service to others can shift our perspective and help us notice what we already have with more gratitude.
- Gratitude Letters: If you’re someone like me who loves writing and getting crafty and artistic while making really cute letters for their friends, this one’s for you! Who doesn’t love being appreciated? No one. A gratitude letter is like a sweet act of kindness and appreciation you do for your loved ones and also for yourself. Promise yourself that you will write a letter every week and send it to someone.
- Gratitude Circles: Build a tiny community of people you know and start sharing things every day that you’re grateful for, or something you noticed that brought you joy. If not physically, these could be digital spaces like WhatsApp groups, Instagram stories, quick messages, or video calls. It’s really a simple practice, but over time groups can help you be more accountable and consistent. Someone else’s expression of gratitude may also expand your feelings of gratitude.
- Gratitude Space: This one’s a fun one! Build a small, physical gratitude space for yourself that helps you connect to yourself. It could be a box, an altar, or a place on your desk. This dedicated space could hold things that calm you down or help you practice gratitude and reflection. Think of candles, crystals, incense, scented oils, flowers and photographs. Gratitude rituals that are more spiritual in nature may help you feel more connected to yourself and others, and feel gratitude in depth while also calming your nervous system. You can read more in this article: Building a Gratitude Altar: Rituals and Practices for Deepening Thankfulness
- Pair Gratitude with a mindfulness activity: You could practice deep breathing and also remind yourself of the things you feel grateful for in the moment like your breath. You can pair it with a mindful walk at night or even when you’re having a warm cup of tea. When showering you could thank yourself for the health and well-being of your body. This way you are being more mindful while also feeling appreciative of the present moment.
- Place physical reminders for yourself: I’ve pasted many sticky notes right in front of my desk that have affirmations on them. This way when my eyes wander, I can directly feel grateful to myself for such acts of kindness, and remind myself of the things I’m grateful for. I also place photographs of me and my grandparents. This way I always remember them and feel deeply thankful. You could also place things that may uplift you, like art, that naturally evoke a feeling of appreciation.
- Make a Gratitude Jar: For those who love being creative, this one will get you easily excited. A gratitude jar is a box, glass jar, or small container filled with gratitude entries. You can add to this jar every day and look at how colourfully it fills up with a year of entries. Imagine how fun it would feel to read through them at the end of the year! Learn more about how to make one here: The Joy of a Gratitude Jar and How to Make It Today You can also make it for someone and write about all the things you appreciate about them. I made this for an aunt of mine as a birthday gift, and she absolutely loved it and still cherishes it today.
Slowly I realized that practicing gratitude was no longer an extra step that I needed to add to my routine, but a lens through which I started experiencing life. It was a gradual shift that even I didn’t expect, but simply journalling every single day, doing some of these rituals regularly, or even practicing appreciation in my thinking more than complaining about something, started making every situation easier for me to handle. And I noticed my whole life change. If something here resonates with you, you may want to try it at your own pace and reflect on how it helps you stay consistent with your gratitude practice. 🍃
I’d love to know what you think and how these gratitude rituals can help you practice gratitude in creative ways consistently. You can write to me at piyusha@gratefulness.me 💌 Until next time 🤍
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