It’s the time of year when everyone is talking about gratitude. 

You can’t get on FaceBook without seeing a post about “What I’m grateful for this season” or someone doing “30 Days of Thankfulness Challenges.” I used to buy into it, then I would roll my eyes, and now…I try to encourage them to be grateful and thankful all year, not just in a season.

What changed? I did. 

I found a way to be grateful every day of my life. 

Initially, I followed the crowd. I wanted to fit in and do the socially expected things. Then I had a breakdown of sorts. It changed my mindset about a lot of things in life as I worked to find my authentic self. These 30 days of doing something you don’t do the rest of the year felt fake. But I put my cynical self in the backseat and started doing the hard work ahead. 

Coaching is about change. It’s where personal growth and transformation are the keys to progress. Are these 30-day challenges a way to help others incorporate a gratitude practice that will last all year? I hope so but there never seemed to be any direction other than “Post every day this month what you are grateful for.”  

So of course I had to challenge that established status quo. And here is what I learned. 

Gratitude is a game-changer. 

As a mindset and life coach, I understand the importance of having a positive outlook and an empowering mindset. But how does gratitude tie into this journey of self-discovery and long-term fulfillment?

1. It’s a mindset shift from nothing ever goes right to seeing how much you do have going right. Shifting the focus from the negative to the positive (so, so easily forgotten in a time of stress) takes practice but eventually, it’s like a CTRL+ALT+DELETE effect. 

2. When you have a routine that includes gratitude, it becomes more than a fleeting feeling of appreciation. Your mindset is upgraded. Your perspective and approach to life take on a new path. It might still feel rocky at times but it feels like you can achieve it rather than be defeated before you get up the first hill.

3. The power of thoughts and beliefs shapes your reality…really! It’s not just my woo-woo side saying this. My encouragement for you to embrace gratitude isn't just about saying "thank you" or “I’m thankful for (insert whatever here)” occasionally. I wish it worked that way!! It's way deeper. Planting those seeds early and often helps cultivate a lasting appreciation for what you have in this life.

I know you trust me implicitly but…if you want more science-based support, it is out there. Many studies show that practicing gratitude improves mental well-being, reduces stress, and enhances overall life satisfaction. By integrating gratitude into your journey, you create a more positive, resilient mindset.

Put Gratitude into Action

My two favorite ways to practice gratitude are super easy and require no tools! 

Now, I am a journaler so if I’m doing option 1, I’m likely making an actual list in my journal. I like the writing because it seems to stick in my brain longer and when I flip back through my journal, I see all the amazing things I’ve had in my life.

1. Start your day with a list of experiences you have had in the last day or two that you are grateful for. It can be the warm, comfy bed, the yummy coffee in your cup, the dinner you had last night with someone important to you, or anything else. For this list, I like to do at least 10 or as many as I can think of before I feel like I’m just trying to fill the page.

2. End your day with a list of things that happened that day that made you smile, feel relief (like no traffic when you’re running behind), someone who did something nice for you, etc. I rarely ever write this list down. It is usually how I put myself to sleep. 

My mind tends to hype itself up at bedtime thinking of how many things I didn’t get done. Starting a list of things that I accomplished or that brought me joy that day tends to soothe that crazy maker brain of mine and I slip off to sleep before I know it. 

All gratitude matters here. Big and little things in your life give you dopamine so putting them both in your practice amplifies the impact of your happiness in life.

It’s amazing how these simple gratitude exercises have changed my outlook. They helped me shift my focus from what isn’t going how I want it to, to seeing what's abundant (food, coffee, friends, opportunities) in my life. 

This shift in perspective leads to increased motivation (you know I want that!), clarity (yes please!), and a more optimistic outlook.

Guiding You on Your Gratitude Journey 

Like any journey, you need some guidance. You use GPS every day to help you get where you are going. In the gym, you have a trainer. So when it comes to mindset work, it’s smart to get a coach and seek out others working towards a similar goal. 

When you're eager to change, evolve into a better you, overcome obstacles, and live a more fulfilling life, you are ready for a mindset coach. With practice, it's a game-changer. 

For me, it started as a fleeting feeling. It was just a Facebook post and on to the next thing. It felt like it had to be big. Then I realized how a small mindset shift could revolutionize how I perceived and experienced the world. That is when good shit started really happening and I knew I had to share with as many as I could.

Being a mindset and empowerment coach, I get to experience the pleasure of guiding individuals towards a more fulfilling life. Helping others integrate gratitude and boundaries into their practice is a catalyst for positive change. Embracing and advocating for gratitude isn't just a way to be a Positive Polly. It's providing others with a tool that can elevate their experience here on this beautiful planet.

If you are ready to start a practice of gratitude, start with the two things I provided. Ready for more? Book a free call with me!

Peace and love,

Teresea