Gratitude is defined as the appreciation for life—things we often take for granted. It’s normal to have ups and downs throughout your life, but gratitude can help you better recognize the positive aspects in your life.
Whether it’s acknowledging the role other people have played in your life or being thankful for your own accomplishments, gratitude is powerful. That’s why it’s become a trend in recent years, as it can help you improve your mental wellness.
When you make it a habit to practice gratitude, you’ll start to change your perspective. Below are 30 gratitude journal prompts to help you get started.
When you write down what you’re grateful for each day, you’ll begin to look for the good things in life instead of what’s going wrong.
30 Gratitude Prompts
1. What made you smile today?
Smiling can be caused by the little things. Write down what made you smile today.
2. Who’s someone you’re thankful for, and why?
Pick a specific person that you’re grateful for. It can be a family member, friend, coworker, or anyone else that comes to mind. What qualities do they have that make you thankful for them?
3. What’s a recent accomplishment you’re proud of?
Don’t be afraid to brag about your accomplishments, no matter how big or small they are.
4. What’s your favorite thing about your home?
Your home is your safe haven, so what do you love about it?
Read also: How to Write a Gratitude Journal
5. What’s something you’ve learned recently?
We learn something new every day, even if we don’t realize it. What’s one thing you learned that you can be grateful for?
6. What’s a memory that brings you joy?
Think of a time in your life that made you extremely happy and write about it.
7. What’s something you’ve learned about yourself recently?
8. What’s something about your health you’re grateful for?
Whether you’re sick or healthy, it’s important to stay grateful for your body. Write down what you’re grateful for.
9. What’s a challenge you’ve overcome?
Life will always throw you challenges, but overcoming these obstacles will make you stronger.
10. What’s something beautiful you saw recently?
Take notice of your surroundings and you’ll find beauty everywhere.
11. What’s a small luxury you enjoy?
Life isn’t all about the expensive things. Write about something small that you enjoy.
12. What’s a skill you’re glad you have?
We all have different skills that make us who we are. What’s one of yours that you’re grateful for?
13. What’s something kind someone has done for you?
Whether someone did something for you today or a while ago, write about an act of kindness they’ve done.
Read also: 10 Bullet Journal Ideas for Practicing Gratitude
14. What’s a tradition you love?
Think of a tradition that you enjoy and write about why.
15. What’s something about nature you appreciate?
Nature is something we often take for granted. Write down what you appreciate about nature.
16. What’s something that made you laugh recently?
Find humor in life because life is funny. What made you laugh?
17. What’s a favorite item you own?
It doesn’t have to be something expensive. Write about your favorite thing you own.
18. What’s a hobby or activity you enjoy?
We all like to occupy our time with different activities. Write about one of your hobbies.
19. What’s a piece of advice that has helped you?
Write about something someone told you that has stuck with you.
20. What’s something you’re looking forward to?
Anticipation can make you just as happy as the actual event. What are you looking forward to?
21. What’s something you love about your community?
This can be your town, city, or even an online community. Write about something you love about your community.
22. What’s something that makes you unique?
Everyone is unique in their own way. Write down what makes you special.
23. What’s a comforting routine you enjoy?
We all enjoy comfort in our day-to-day lives. Write about one of your routines.
24. What’s a favorite meal or treat you’ve had recently?
Food can bring us all together and make us happy. What’s something you enjoyed eating?
25. What’s a piece of art or music you love?
Art and music help inspire us. Write about your favorite piece of art or song.
26. What’s something about your job or work you’re thankful for?
No job is perfect. Think about what you love about your job and write about it.
Read also: 10 Must-Do Things to Make 2026 Your Best Year Yet
27. What’s a childhood memory you cherish?
Think back to your childhood and write about a memory you cherish.
28. What’s a place that makes you feel at peace?
This can be anywhere that calms you and brings you back to peace. Write about where your happy place is.
29. What’s a book or movie that has inspired you?
Books and movies can change your perspective. Write about a book or movie that has had an impact on you.
30. What’s something about technology you’re grateful for?
Technology has made our lives so much easier. Write about something about technology that you’re grateful for.
Benefits of Practicing Gratitude
If you practice gratitude often, you’ll start to feel the positive benefits that come with it. Not only will you feel happier when you take time to write down what you’re grateful for, but gratitude can improve your overall well-being.
Studies show that people who practice gratitude can lower their chances of being depressed and anxious. Instead of focusing on the bad things in your life, you’ll find yourself looking for the good things.
Gratitude can also help you gain self-esteem. When you take time to reflect on things that you’re grateful for in your life, you’ll start to find things that you’re happy you possess.
Whether it’s your qualities or something you’ve accomplished, you’ll feel less insecure and jealous of others. You will find yourself happier with who you are, which will allow you to have more confidence in yourself and your abilities.
Showing gratitude can also better your relationships with others. Whether it’s your friends, family, or coworkers, gratitude can help improve your connection with them.
When you show others that you care about them and appreciate them, they are more likely to trust you and open up to you. Not only can gratitude help improve your relationships, but it can also allow you to be more empathetic and less aggressive.
Your positivity will allow others to be positive around you as well. Did you know that gratitude can even improve your health?
Studies have found that grateful people tend to sleep better and have lower blood pressure. Not only will you feel better, but you may start to live healthier. You may find yourself working out and eating right because you’re grateful for your body.
Can’t Think of What to Be Thankful For? Here’s Why.
While practicing gratitude is a good thing to do, things may pop up that make it difficult to practice. No matter how hard you try to be grateful, you may experience things that cause you to feel negative emotions.
When something bad happens, you may have a hard time thinking about what you have to be grateful for. Instead of forcing yourself to be thankful, allow yourself to feel the way you’re feeling.
Once you accept your feelings, you can start to look at the bigger picture of your life. There’s always going to be good and bad in your life, and when you realize that, you can be grateful again.
Life can also throw you problems that make it difficult to feel gratitude. Whether it’s your job, health, finances, or an issue with someone you know, you may feel like things won’t get better.
If you find yourself stuck in these thoughts, focus on the smaller things in life. What are things that you can be grateful for right now? Maybe it’s your coffee in the morning or a talk you had with a friend.
By realizing small things that you’re grateful for, you can train your brain to find things when you’re going through something tough.
You should also seek help if you’re going through a hard time. Talk to someone you trust about how you’re feeling. Your friends can help you gain a different perspective on your situation.
Remember that practicing gratitude is a process and it’s different for everyone. You should try to figure out what helps you stay grateful during hard times so you have a brighter outlook on life.
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