5 simple tips for practicing gratitude in a busy life

In our fast-paced lives, it’s easy to overlook the small joys that surround us each day. Practicing gratitude and mindfulness can help us cultivate a deeper appreciation for life and enhance our overall well-being.

I have to admit, practicing gratitude is not something that has come easily to me. Fortunately, I have found some small and simple ways to incorporate gratitude and mindfulness into my day without spending a ton of time or money. 

In this post I will share 5 habits I have personally incorporated in my busy life. 

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1. Use an app

One simple tip has had the biggest impact on my life: using a mindfulness app. It gives me the freedom to practice for any amount of time I have—one minute during a stressful moment or a longer session to unwind after a busy day. Many apps can help you reach your goals, but I’ve had the most success with Mindfulness.com. It offers daily check-ins, a wide range of breathing exercises, mindfulness courses, soothing music, and more.

Learn more at mindfulness.com

  2. Keep a gratitude journal

Keeping a gratitude journal is a great way to focus on the positive aspects of your day. Every evening, take a few minutes to jot down three things you are grateful for. This simple practice can help shift your mindset towards appreciation. Keeping a gratitude journal can be as easy as finding a blank notebook or using notecards to jot down your thoughts. For those that like a more guided approach, there are several awesome gratitude journals on the market. 

  3. Tell someone

Telling someone about what you’re grateful for is a simple, powerful way to deepen that feeling. When you share the positive things happening in your life, they become more real and meaningful. Expressing gratitude directly to people—for who they are or what they do—can also strengthen relationships. In the rush of daily life, we sometimes neglect family and friends; pausing to say thanks helps keep those connections strong.

If you have kids, these lunch box tear off notes are so much fun. My girls love finding daily notes when they open their lunches or tucked into a folder or notebook. It lets them know I’m thinking of them and provides them with encouraging messages.

These appreciation cards are great for anyone in your life including your family, friends, and coworkers.

  4. Practice daily affirmations

I love using daily affirmations as a really simple way to get me thinking about mindfulness and gratitude. Practicing daily affirmations has been shown to provide a whole host of benefits such as boosting self-confidence, reducing stress and anxiety, promoting a positive mindset, enhancing resiliency, enhancing relationships, and improving physical health. You can make your own daily affirmations based on your life goals or struggles, or you can easily find daily affirmations using an app or through a daily notebook. Below are a few ideas to get you started!

  5. Find what you love

I’m sure everyone has heard how important it is to practice self-care, but most people don’t have the time or money to schedule expensive vacations or spa days. Practicing self-care can be simple and doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money. If it’s something you WANT to do and not something you NEED to do, it will help improve your mindset. Some ideas are painting, pottery, trying new recipes, finding a new tv show, joining a book club, doing your nails, building miniature models, or even starting a blog! For me, Nooks and Novels is my want and something I do just to make me happy and have something to look forward to! I have also taken up building book nooks and have been filling my bookshelves with these fun designs from Cutebee. Browse their website to see their entire collection. If you’re interested in trying one out, use my code NOOKSANDNOVELS for a discount on your order!

Also check out my blog post on sprayed edges to see another one of my hobbies!