Gratitude Journaling - An Introduction and Our First Post

Welcome, my friends,

I hope you all had a wonderful week.

Here, in my home town, the sun shone bright one morning, and I stood in front of the window with my eyes closed and my face looking directly at the distant sun. After such a lengthy time of rain and grey clouds, I was so grateful to feel that warmth on my skin.

Last week, we spoke about a journaling routine, and if you need a refresher, there is a link to that post at the bottom of this email.

This week, we will help you tackle your first journal entry if you haven’t already.

But … there is a twist …

Be kind to yourself; journaling is a learned activity

Have you ever seen these types of headings?

"7 Ways Journaling Can Save Your Life"
"Echoes of the Soul: The Art of Zealous Journaling for Profound Insight"
"Journaling at the Edge: Pushing Boundaries for Radical Self-Improvement”

After reading those headlines, the expectations we set for our journaling careers are immense.

Will journaling save our lives right out of the gate? It may, but the majority of us look at this mammoth task with a resounding sigh and gently close our journals.

What we forget is that gratitude journaling is a learned activity.

We need to give ourselves the time and space to first, learn how to journal then second move to gratitude journaling.

At the same time, it takes bravery to be able to sit and write about how you feel. Past traumas and future anxieties have a way of announcing themselves just as we are about to start writing. We need to be aware of this, and to be gentle on ourselves when these memories and emotions present.

So, how do we tackle this?

This week, we would like you to introduce yourself to your journal.

That sounds a little odd … right?
Somewhat odd, but here is the reasoning.

When meeting someone new, it is always a good idea to get to know that person. To engage lightly and then, over time, to let that person know more about yourself. Your journal is a new friend. Someone you need to get to know.

It is all about … building trust.

That trust will set you in good stead to freely express your feelings and to open the doors to feeling grateful through journaling.

Take your time.

Nurture your new relationship.

And as mentioned, be gentle with yourself as we learn our new skill.

For introductory prompts to get you started, follow the link below.

Gratitude Gem

Conversation Corner

‘Hey, Jill, have you seen those articles about journaling lately?’ Jack said, scrolling through his phone.

‘You mean the ones that make it sound like you’re not truly living unless you journal every profound thought?’ Jill said, half-laughing.

‘Exactly! "7 Ways Journaling Can Save Your Life" and all that,’ Jack said, shaking his head. ‘Makes me feel like I’m supposed to have life-altering revelations every time I pick up a pen.’

‘I know what you mean,’ Jill said, taking in a deep breath and letting out a sigh. ‘It’s like they expect you to go from zero to “Echoes of the Soul” overnight. What happened to just writing down what you did that day or what’s on your mind?’

‘Right? I tried following one of those intense prompts, “Journaling at the Edge: Pushing Boundaries for Radical Self-Improvement.” Ended up writing about how I push the boundaries by adding an extra scoop of ice cream to my dessert,’ Jack said, chuckling.

‘Groundbreaking, Jack. The journaling community will never be the same,’ Jill said, then grew more thoughtful. ‘But honestly, isn’t the point of journaling just to get started? To learn about yourself at your own pace?’

‘That’s what I was thinking. Instead of aiming for profound insights in every entry, I decided just to jot down simple things. Like how I felt about the day or if I learned anything new, even if it’s just a better way to tie my shoelaces,’ Jack said, smiling.

‘See, that sounds doable. And probably more helpful in the long run,’ Jill said, nodding. ‘No pressure to solve the mysteries of the universe in a single entry.’

‘Exactly! And it’s kind of liberating, just writing without trying to impress my future self or some imaginary audience,’ Jack said, putting down his phone. ‘I think that’s the real art of journaling – finding your own rhythm, not following someone else’s.’

I couldn’t agree more. So, what’s your entry going to be today? "Today, I learned not to take journaling advice from the internet"?’ Jill asked, a playful smirk on her face.

‘Maybe,’ Jack laughed. ‘Or maybe, "Today, I had a simple, real conversation with a friend. And that’s enough."’

‘I like that. Sounds like you’re becoming quite the journaling philosopher,’ Jill said, smiling genuinely.

‘One simple entry at a time, Jill. No pressure,’ Jack said, picking up his journal.

Housekeeping

We received so many replies to the poll we put out last week. The stories you all shared have been inspiring.

Both a gratitude affirmation and a daily prompt were by far the most requested features.

We have begun the technical undertaking to make sure you, our valued subscriber, can opt into each of the features when and how you wish. Once this is complete, we will begin with instructions on how to opt in and out, followed by you receiving the choices you have made.

Thank you for taking part in our poll.

If you know of anyone who would benefit from Unbound Gratitude, use the button below to send this newsletter to them.

Next week

Next week's edition will explore an intriguing aspect of journaling: navigating the waters of a one-sided journaling conversation.

Last week

Below is last weeks entry if you need a refresher.

We at Unbound Gratitude wish you the best for a grateful new week.

Happy Journaling.