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How Gratitude Shape My Days
Transform your life with gratitude, a powerful force that shapes your days and guides your mornings. Build a positive state of mind and mindful practices as the foundation for a balanced and fulfilling life.
5/24/20247 min read
Rise and Shine
Last year, I found myself dreading the sound of my alarm clock, because each morning felt like a race against time. I was rushing through my routine without a moment of peace.
Until one day something just clicked and I decided to reclaim my mornings and embraced mindfulness. Just by starting my day with a sense of calm, a sense of purpose, and gratitude makes such a difference.
In this article:
Rise and shine
Good state of mind
Powerful mornings
Mission impossible
Power of gratitude
Tune into your body
Mindful intentions
FAQs - How gratitude shape my days
blog / How gratitude shape my days
Good State of Mind
My morning routine serves as the foundation for the rest of my day. So how I choose to start my day sets the tone and experience for the hours ahead. When I make a good start to the morning, the rest of the day is easier.
I found that even if there are struggles throughout the day, as long as I’m in a good state of mind, there’s nothing I can’t handle. Have you found the same or are you super efficient and everything gets done regardless.
Powerful Mornings
I found out by trial and error that to have powerful mornings, I had to slow down. For me, slowing down meant waking up earlier. Yer I know, that’s not the greatest sentence I’ve ever written but before, I woke up at 8:00 am, and everything was at warp speed.
Fast forward to 2024 and I’ve brought forward my waking hours to 4:00 am and bizarrely I can do things at my own pace.
Before I continue, I openly admit this works for me and won’t work for everyone, so please find your own variation that works for you. Full households, multiple school runs, day nursery drop offs, grabbing the tube, train or driving to work, can mean your waking hours start later due to necessity.
Mission Impossible
Here’s how I managed the impossible, I gave myself 30 days. If I can’t follow a new habit in 30 days, then I need to tweak it in some way to achieve the end result. I have a very soft alarm at 4am, it plays light meditation music.
Then my routine involves meditation alone, just me, a scented wax melt and my maker, followed by Sean Vigue yoga and coffee with gratitude. By 6am and in the shower and at the gym for 7am.
I have been doing this for just over a year now and I can be totally honest with you it doesn’t get any easier. I’ve just become more disciplined at following the routine.
The advantages are it’s convenient for the personal goals I want to accomplish before my workday starts. The disadvantages are sometimes I’m knocked out by 8pm and need my rest.
Power of Gratitude
Performing daily gratitude's is a big thing in my home, because I find it very easy to become complacent and take things for granted. Recently I had to recover from a gym injury and I was blown away by the number of messages asking how I was, how my recovery was going and the number of get well soon messages I received.
I am grateful for being here right now (today) and having the ability to write this blog post. There was a time this would be impossible, so now I have the ability to share my journey with all my readers and this fills me with joy.
Weekly I complete a gratitude message to myself. It can include anything from the chat I had with an old friend, my health and mental well being, or the number of orders we’ve received this month. Gratitude's are very powerful, which can shift your perspective of a day from bad, to good in an instant.
Tune Into Your Body
My body is a temple, more a temple of doom than a safe haven. Like many others I have taken my body for granted, only to discover it's not indestructible. My gym injury was a bit of a wake up call because climbing a flight of stairs became a challenge and one I didn’t enjoy.
This had a knock on effect because during this period I couldn’t go to the gym. I don’t know about you, but the lack of exercise really impacts my mental health.
Things quickly go to ***t and life becomes complicated real quick. So I listen to my body when it's tired, I rest. When it's strong, I workout. Unfortunately I cannot do everything my mind wishes it could, but I value its existence and I treasure it dearly.
Mindful Intentions
Setting intentions for the day ahead are like having a superpower. I used to let the day just happen starting with emails instead of taking charge of my destiny by setting clear goals.
The twists and turns of my days read like mystery novels, I had no direction and it showed.
Fast forward to now and I have structure and goals l want to achieve. I know exactly how I want to show up in the world and more importantly, I know my value to myself.
Whether your superpower is well being, kindness, courage, or creativity. By starting your day with intention, you can align your actions with your values and create a sense of purpose and direction that carries you through even the most challenging moments.
Frequently asked questions
How does gratitude change your life?
Gratitude has the power to transform your life in simple yet profound ways. When you focus on what you're thankful for, it shifts your mindset away from negative emotions like envy or frustration.
This can lead to a noticeable boost in your overall happiness and well being, as gratitude naturally promotes a more positive outlook.
In relationships, expressing gratitude strengthens bonds with others. People feel appreciated, and that creates a deeper connection and mutual respect.
Moreover, regularly practising gratitude can make you more resilient, helping you handle life's challenges with a calmer, more optimistic attitude. In essence, gratitude is a small habit with big rewards, improving both your mental health and your relationships.
How to incorporate gratitude into your daily life?
Incorporating gratitude into your daily routine is both simple and deeply rewarding. You might begin by keeping a gratitude journal, where you note down a few things each day that you're grateful for.
These could range from small, everyday pleasures, like a warm cup of tea, to more significant events, such as a thoughtful gesture from a friend. Another way to embrace gratitude is by expressing it to others.
Taking the time to thank those around you, whether through a quick message, a call, or a personal conversation, can strengthen your relationships and spread positivity.
Additionally, pausing to reflect on the positive aspects of your day, especially before you sleep, can help you end the day on an uplifting note. These simple practices can greatly enhance your overall sense of well being and appreciation for life.
What is gratitude in day to day life?
Gratitude in day-to-day life is the practice of recognising and appreciating the positive aspects of your daily experiences, no matter how small or routine they may seem.
It's about noticing the good things around you, like a kind word from a colleague, a sunny morning, or simply the comfort of a warm meal.
By acknowledging these moments, you shift your focus from what might be lacking or going wrong to what is going well, fostering a more positive and contented outlook.
In essence, gratitude is the habit of finding value in the ordinary, which can bring a sense of joy and fulfilment to everyday life.
Why is gratitude so powerful?
Gratitude is powerful because it fundamentally shifts your perspective, altering how you experience the world.
When you practice gratitude, you focus on the positive aspects of your life rather than dwelling on what might be missing or going wrong. This shift in focus can lead to profound psychological and emotional benefits.
Gratitude enhances your mood by increasing feelings of happiness and contentment. It triggers the release of dopamine and serotonin, the brain's "feel good" chemicals, which naturally boost your sense of well being. Over time, this positive focus can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
Gratitude also strengthens relationships. When you express appreciation to others, it deepens your connections, fosters mutual respect, and encourages a more supportive environment.
This not only improves personal relationships but can also enhance professional ones, leading to a more collaborative and positive atmosphere.
Additionally, gratitude builds resilience. By regularly acknowledging what you are thankful for, you develop a mindset that is better equipped to handle challenges and setbacks.
You learn to see difficulties in the context of the broader good in your life, which makes it easier to cope with them.
In essence, gratitude is powerful because it reorients your mind towards positivity, enhances your emotional health, strengthens your relationships, and equips you with a resilient outlook on life.
