One of the most effective ways to practice gratitude is to use journal prompts
Using journal prompts gives you an idea of what to write about so you can stay focused and gain clarity on your gratitude practice. Not to mention, journaling this way can help you explore your thoughts and feelings a lot more deeply.
Here are 51 morning and evening journal prompts to help you feel inspired.
Last week I made a list of the best-guided journals to help kickstart your gratitude practice.
A gratitude journal is a great tool to use when journaling as they provide a straightforward structure for you to follow. However, it is sometimes not always sustainable or affordable to keep up with a journal. Not to mention, a lot of gratitude journals don’t have a wide variety of questions or prompts for you to answer.
But by having your own list of journal prompts up your sleeve, you can reflect on a different question each day and explore another area of your life that you are grateful for.
And so I’ve made an extensive list of journal prompts to help inspire you on your gratitude journey.
You don’t need to answer them all each day. Just choose 3-5 prompts from each list to really dig deep into your gratitude practice.
But before I dive into this extensive list of journaling prompts, let’s first recap what gratitude is and why it is essential to invite this simple ritual into your daily life.
Gratitude means the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
The Oxford Dictionary
Let’s talk about gratitude
Practising gratitude has become a bit of a buzzword lately.
Successful entrepreneurs swear by it, and wellness influencers vlog about it.
And although I’m not a fan of viral fads, practising gratitude is a trend I hope sticks around. Purely because I believe that showing your appreciation of things can change your outlook on life and make you happier in the process.
When you practice gratitude, you are opening yourself up to many mindset changes, including:
- Focusing on the positive things going on
- Feeling more optimistic about life
- Relieving stress and overwhelm
- Decreasing anxiety and depression
- Forming a deeper connection with yourself, your surroundings and others
And it is super easy to get started, too!
All you need is a notebook and pen, some motivation and these journal prompts.
“Gratitude empowers us to take charge of our emotional lives and, as a consequence, our bodies reap the benefits. It is a fertilizer for the mind, spreading connections and improving its function in nearly every realm of experience.”
Robert Emmons | The Little Book of Gratitude
What is a journal prompt?
A journal prompt is a question or topic that gives you an idea of what to journal about. Following a structured format in this way can help you to stay focused and gain clarity on what you are writing about.
These prompts can be as simple or thought-provoking as you need and can be anything from “What are you grateful for today?” to “What was the best part of your day?”
By using journaling prompts, you can get past any initial journaling blocks and start exploring your thoughts and feelings more deeply.
Using journaling prompts can also be a great way to process difficult emotions, connect with your creativity, or simply document your life.
If you are new to journaling or practising gratitude, then using guided prompts can be an effective way for you to get started and dig deep into your mind.
51 morning and evening journal prompts for daily gratitude
Learning to practice gratitude daily is pretty straightforward.
There are no rules to it.
The only important thing you need to do is stay consistent. So, incorporate this simple ritual into your morning or evening routine and start and end each day feeling grounded and optimistic.
I also encourage you to bookmark this page so you can refer back to these journal prompts whenever you need to.
Morning gratitude journal prompts
- List 3 things you are grateful for today
- Write down 5 things in nature you’re grateful for
- Write down a positive affirmation
- List down 3 things you love about yourself
- What is one of the best parts about being you?
- What would make today great?
- List 3 things you get to do today
- Name someone who you get to spend time with today
- Name someone whose presence makes life better
- Write about something that makes you look forward to waking up
- What is one thing that is making you happy today?
- List 5 things that are currently making you smile
- List a sight, a sound and a feeling that reminds you that life is amazing
- Write down a reason why your life is already great
- What is something you get to do today that you’ve always wanted to do?
- Name someone or something that makes your life easier and happier
- What is something small that brings you joy every morning?
- How does practising gratitude in the morning impact the rest of your day?
- What is one lesson from yesterday that you are grateful for?
- What is a personal strength you are thankful to have?
- What is a challenge you’re facing, and how can you find gratitude in it?
- Write about a past version of yourself and something they would be proud of today.
- What is one luxury or convenience in your life that you often take for granted?
- What is something positive about the season you’re currently in?
- How will you make your day great?
Save these prompts on Pinterest for later
Evening gratitude journal prompts
- List 3 amazing things that happened today
- What was the best part of your day?
- What did you do today that made you happy?
- What did you learn today?
- Write about something you saw today that warmed your heart
- Write about something great that happened today that makes you look forward to tomorrow
- How did you take care of yourself today?
- How did you show up for yourself today?
- List 3 great things you experienced today
- List 5 great things in nature that you noticed today
- List 3 positive things that happened today
- Write down one thing that went right today
- Write about a challenging experience that helped you grow into who you are today
- What is an unforgettable memory that makes you feel happy?
- Write down a great opportunity that has opened up to you recently
- Write about something that worked out better than expected
- What is one small moment today that brought you peace?
- What’s one thing you learned about yourself today?
- Who made you smile today, and why?
- What unexpected positive thing happened today?
- What’s one way your body supported you today that you’re grateful for?
- What’s something from today that you want to remember forever?
- What is one thing you saw, heard, or experienced today that reminded you of the beauty of life?
- How did today turn out better than you expected?
- What will you do to make tomorrow 1% better?
And prompt 51…
If you could relive today, what moment would you savour the most, and why?
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Final thoughts
Remember, there is no “right” headspace to be in when practising gratitude, as you can always show appreciation for the good things going on in your life.
If some days you are unable to feel gratitude for yourself, then dig a bit deeper and focus on finding gratitude for the world or the people around you instead.
Use these prompts to push you in the right direction so you can overcome any blocks and write from the heart.
You’ve got this.
Thalia xx
Naeem Taunsvi
Loved this list, Thalia! I’ve been trying to make gratitude journaling a daily habit and your prompts are perfect for staying consistent. Thanks for the inspiration 💛