Do you wake up each day in a bad mood and feeling unmotivated? Sometimes we fall into a slump, and it is hard to get out. We wonder why everything always happens to us. We live our lives waiting for that next bad thing to happen. I used to be just like that. Most of my day was spent thinking about the problems that I had. I spent a lot of time and energy being miserable. But guess what? I changed my outlook on life.

I’m sure you are wondering how I went from walking around feeling like a victim in life to waking up excited for what the day will bring. First of all, I learned that what we think about creates the world we live in. So if all your thoughts are negative, all you will see is negative things in your life. It is like when you buy a new red car and now you see so many more red cars on the road. There aren’t really more red cars all of a sudden, it is just that you are now more aware of them. So how can we be more aware of the good things in our life so we will notice them? By practicing gratitude.

Gratitude is the practice of appreciating and acknowledging the good things in life. It can increase happiness, improve relationships, and reduce stress and anxiety. Basically, change your outlook on life! Here are some ways to increase gratitude in your daily life:

1. Keep a gratitude journal: Write down three things you are grateful for each day. This practice can help you focus on the positive things in your life and increase your overall sense of well-being.

2. Express gratitude to others: Take time to thank the people in your life who have helped or supported you. It can be as simple as sending a text message, making a phone call, or writing a letter.

3. Practice mindfulness: Take a few moments each day to focus on the present moment and notice the good things around you. This can be as simple as taking a deep breath and noticing the beauty of nature or the kindness of a stranger.

4. Volunteer: Helping others can increase feelings of gratitude and purpose. Consider volunteering at a local organization or donating your time to a cause that you care about.

5. Focus on what you have, not what you lack: Instead of focusing on what you don't have, focus on the things you do have and appreciate them. This can help you shift your perspective and increase feelings of gratitude.

6. Reflect on challenges: Reflect on challenges you have faced and think about the things you learned or gained from those experiences. This can help you appreciate the positive aspects of difficult situations.

By incorporating these practices into your daily life, you can increase your overall sense of gratitude and appreciation for the good things in life. By changing the focus, you can change your outlook in life.

If you would like me to send you my favorite journal prompts for increasing gratitude, email me at hadassahbauer7@gmail.com