A Two-Week Foray into Gratitude
I've been here before. A writing hiatus.
It's been building for months. I ended 2016 with a shrug, as it was a great year, but one also plagued by some serious doubt about what to do next with myself. I don't like floating by, and I don't feel like anything is really changing these days. I just am.
I don't feel like I have anything to write about. I write at work anyways, so my stress relief is no longer writing. My stress is writing. Or thinking about writing. Or fine tuning content pieces. Blogging is now work and vice versa. It's not mine anymore. It's not my outlet.
There's nothing wrong with me. There's nothing wrong in my life. I'm just living and making a living putting my skill to use, but I want more (as always). Another takeaway from the book The Happiness Project (along with these previous takeaways) is that gratitude matters. If you practice gratitude for what you have, you'll be happier.
So I set off to start off 2017 with more gratitude.
My methodology was excessively simple. I was going to buy a journal with an inspirational cover, and I was going to write five things that I was thankful for every night.
Instead, I found a "fit" journal, that included a gratitude list to fill in, but also set daily fitness goals, inspiration triggers, meal ratings and a happiness tracker. Plus, it offered daily inspiration and healthy living tips. I walked out of Target feeling a bit needy (did I really need this to be happier?), but I am very glad I splurged for the fancier journal.
I'm now two weeks into my journal, and I do actually feel happier. I feel motivated to think about the positives of my day, and it turns out, I can usually name more than just three. I also use the spare notes page to write notes to myself, be it random thoughts or to-do's for the week.
Since I've found joy in writing my journal, I thought it might be nice to share those with you guys. In no particular order, here are some of my gratitude journal entries, plus some of my random pre-bed thoughts (anything in parenthesis I've added now to the blog for extra explanation):
Gratitude journal entries:
- Bought two awesome and discounted candles I really wanted (one's an aromatherapy candle)
- Friend came back from pregnancy leave
- Post-office trip was incredibly painless
- Became a Skimmbassador with 100 referrals in 1 day (I was curious as to what Skimmbassador meant, and then realized I got free stuff for referring people to the only email I actually read everyday, which is a pretty easy sale. On that note, if you want to be more informed with witty news sound bytes, sign up for TheSkimm and help me get my next prize, which is a workout tank!)
- Michael got Grandad's website working (he did more than just get it working, he also designed it, added all the content and launched it... so everything, he did everything)
- Work friend let me borrow his drill bits (I then soon journaled that I hung up my mail holder)
- Hit really well at volleyball today, especially from the back row
- Ran into old JMU friend at bar where I maintained dry January
- Called mom at lunch today (2x)
- Met a new dog
- Googled cute adoptable dogs in Richmond
- Avoided adopting a dog
- (I'm obsessed with dogs apparently)
- Getting to read the previous week's highlights in my journal
- Got a work compliment
This inspires me:
- Resiliency in the face of turbulence
- The fight for equality
- Calm after storms
- Friendships... like the really good ones
Random thoughts:
- Remember the headlights feeling: You can do anything (I fixed my own headlight and haven't been that proud of myself in awhile)
- Don't be so quick to ask for help. Know you can do it
- The journey is life. The final destination is pretty dreary and insignificant.
- Most of the time, you can choose to be happier. Or at least try to and fake it, which then makes you for real happy.
- I like being the person people can come to for things.
What are you thankful for?