Welcome to our first Self-Care Sunday post! I had been debating on what to feature for our first topic, but then I thought about a daily practice that I have that literally has become second nature to me. It’s just part of my routine, like brushing my teeth.
Get into the habit of spending just a few minutes every morning writing down things you are grateful for. When you start your day by thinking about all that you are grateful for, you come from a place of abundance, rather than lack. These can be simple things, like I am grateful for a warm bed to sleep in or for my family’s health. When you have an abundance mindset, you have a more accurate perspective on things when stress comes your way.
A couple of years ago, I discovered The Five-Minute Journal by accident, really, and was intrigued. You certainly don’t need this journal to do these exercises, as you can do them in a blank journal. But I found that the prompts in this one really helped keep me focused and I stayed motivated to write in it every day.
In the morning you write three things that you are grateful for, three things that would make your day great and daily affirmations. In the next section, you define three things that would make today great. And I love this because it helps me focus on the small things that I can do each day to nourish my soul.
The last section for the morning is writing a few daily affirmations for yourself for the day. I find this helpful for me because it reminds me to think about my strengths. And honestly, I’m not so sure I would think to do that without being prompted every morning. I do think that when I take the time to give myself quick daily affirmations, I also approach the day from a better space.
In the evening, you come back to write in the journal and there are two sections. The first is listing three amazing things that happened in your day. I find that this also gives me perspective, especially when I have had a really bad day. In the last section, you write a quick note about what would have made your day even better.
Let’s take a look at my entries from yesterday:
I am grateful for…
- my mom surviving her recent stroke and blood clot last month
- remaining cancer free (I was diagnosed in August of 2018 and treated for it)
- that my family has remained safe and healthy during covid
What would make today great?
- spend time meditating and reflecting
- making a nice, home cooked meal
- get to bed between 10 and 11pm
Daily affirmations. I am…
Capable, resilient, can accomplish anything I set my mind to, loved and here for a purpose.
3 Amazing things that happened today…
- made time to connect w/ my husband in a meaningful way
- spent time chatting w/ my brother
- felt confident and at peace
How could I have made today even better?
Had more to eat during the day so I wasn’t starving by dinner time, spent time outside in the sun.
I also love the quotes that are sprinkled throughout the journal, too! But like I said, this journal isn’t necessary to incorporate these daily rituals into your routine. A blank journal or notebook will be just fine. Every now and again, when I am going through a difficult time, I go back read through my older entries – which helps me see that what I am going through is just a bad day, not a bad life.
Do you practice gratitude each day? Do you have some other kind of daily writing ritual that you find helpful? If so, let us know in the comments!
