There are so many things we can all be grateful for, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to take stock of our own feelings. Sometimes life feels overwhelming, and it’s not easy to process what’s happening around us. In these moments, we can turn to daily gratitude journals and books for peace of mind.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- What Is a Daily Gratitude Journal?
- What Features Should You Look for in a Daily Gratitude Journal?
- Popular Free Daily Gratitude Journals or Apps
Yet, with so many gratitude journals to choose from, where do you begin? How do you find the right fit for you? There is no such thing as one-size-fits-all when it comes to things to be grateful for in your life. It’s important to consider your own goals as well as how you like to view gratitude in your routine.
To get you started, this guide highlights the top list of popular daily gratitude journals and books. Sooner than you think, you’ll find the perfect written companion to inspire you through every challenge in life.
What Is a Daily Gratitude Journal?
To start, what is a daily gratitude journal? How does this compare to other types of journaling? In simple terms, it’s a way to get into the habit of practicing mindfulness regularly. Most people want to be more reflective and grateful, but this is easier said than done. You can’t just decide to be grateful. Instead, you need to build it into your daily lifestyle.
This is where a daily gratitude journal comes in. When you set aside time (preferably every day) to write about your feelings, what you’re grateful for, and the things that make you happy, you become a more positive person. It conditions your mind to look on the bright side, and it can impact the way you think long-term.
If you want to boost your mood regularly, gratitude journaling might be for you. Better yet, this is a highly personalized practice. You can easily decide what type of journal is right for you, and there are many meaningful books to inspire your own journey. Any tool you use to keep track of the good things in your life is a gratitude journal; it’s that simple!
What Features Should You Look for in a Daily Gratitude Journal?
If you’re new to the world of gratitude, you might not know what to look for. Your daily gratitude journal needs to work for you above all. This might not be the same for everyone, and that’s okay. Everyone has their own mindfulness practice. However, you should keep an eye out for these features in your daily gratitude journal:
- Aesthetics: Of course, if you like the look and feel of your gratitude journal or app, you’re more likely to use it. It should be in a style that’s appealing to you.
- Prompts: The write gratitude journal prompts make all the difference. These spark your creativity, and they help keep you focused every day.
- Space: Similarly, you need enough space to express yourself in your gratitude journal. Depending on your particular writing style, this could be more or less space.
- Personalization: Ensure your gratitude journal encourages you to dig deeper and get personal! It shouldn’t feel generic or cut-and-paste.
- Tips or quotes: Lastly, you might want your gratitude journal to include special tips and quotes to inspire you on your own mindfulness journey. This is especially true if you’re new to the idea of gratitude.
Now that you know what to look for in your daily gratitude journal, you’re ready to get started. You might need to explore a few different styles to discover what works best for your routine. If something isn’t working, change it. There are no “right” or “wrong” answers when it comes to gratitude. The goal is to simply be consistent on your own terms.
Popular Free Daily Gratitude Journals or Apps
If you want to start with a free gratitude journal or app, there are a lot of options. Most of these are digital or have free downloads. From there, you can add your entries on your smartphone, computer, or by printing resources yourself. This keeps your gratitude practice flexible.
1. Gratitude app
First, the Gratitude app is one of the most well-known and beloved gratitude apps. With over 50,000 reviews and a near-perfect star rating, this is a journal you can trust. Gratitude shares daily quotes, affirmations, and reminders so you can use the app on your own schedule.
2. Presently
Another great app that focuses on minimalism and simplicity is Presently. This app functions like other apps, letting you add daily entries. You can also share any entries with friends and family. However, if you’d prefer some privacy, you can add additional privacy settings. The simple interface of Presently helps some users feel at ease, but it’s a personal preference.
3. Reflectly
If you’re interested in both self-care and mindfulness, Reflectly is the gratitude app for you. This app describes itself as a personal mental health companion. With tools to reflect on exactly how you’re feeling each day, you can also add journal prompts inspired by some of the leaders in self-care.
4. Stoic
Based on the Stoic mental wellness philosophy, the Stoic app encourages users to hone into how they really feel. The developers behind Stoic believe everyone needs to check in with how they’re feeling, and we all go through different emotions every day. With mindfulness practices, meditations, and journal exercises, this is an app for anyone.
5. Day One
Next, the Day One app is a browser extension built alongside the Day One app. This is a journal that strives to reduce journaling, letting you capture life as it’s lived. Add unlimited text entries, voice notices, and more. If you want to capture how you feel in the moment, this is for you.
6. Morning Pages
Many people enjoy writing first thing in the morning, but it’s not always easy to encourage this habit. Morning Pages is a free app that builds itself into your existing morning routine. You can write with no rules, set the tone for the day, and reflect.
7. Gratefulness
Lastly, Gratefulness is a digital platform brought to you by A Network for Grateful Living, a mental health nonprofit. You can create a free Practice Profile to get started in minutes. From there, write in your private digital journal, answer the daily reflection, and share comments with others in the Gratefulness community.
Popular Daily Gratitude Books
Lastly, if you prefer a physical book, these below are a great fit for gratitude practices of all levels. Whether you want self-reflection questions, daily prompts, or open space to express yourself, there’s a daily gratitude book for you.
8. The Five Minute Journal
If you’re new to the world of gratitude, you might be worried about fitting it into your daily schedule. The Five Minute Journal from Intelligent Change challenges the idea that you have to spend a lot of time journaling to be successful. Instead, if you can fit five minutes of gratitude into your day, you can become a better version of yourself.
9. Habit Nest Gratitude Sidekick Journal
Created by the Habit Nest, this is your ultimate Gratitude Sidekick journal. It’s a practical introduction to what it means to be grateful. With daily questions, reflections, and themes, this is your source for bettering yourself. To begin, this journal offers a 66-day guide to build a practice for life.
10. Start Where You Are
If you prefer an interactive journal focused on self-exploration, choose Start Where You Are by Meera Lee Patel. Gorgeously illustrated, this book has quotes from visionaries paired with open-ended questions and prompts. Not only does it inspire change, but it’s a stunning keepsake.
11. Let That Sh*t Go
Do you struggle letting go of the things in life that are holding you down? You’re not alone, and this inspired Monica Sweeney to create Let That Sh*t Go, a journal for finding your own zen life. Voted one of the best self-help books on Amazon, this is one of the best guided journals.
12. Wreck This Journal
For those who prefer to get their hands a bit dirty, Wreck This Journal might just be the coolest gratitude journal. Designed to be destroyed, this journal puts your creativity to work with each prompt and idea. Perfect for unleashing self-expression, who knows what you’ll discover?
13. A Year of Zen
It’s hard to avoid stress, but you can change how stress affects your mental state. Bonnie Treace’s A Year of Zen offers a 52-week guided journal with clear reflections for each day. Explore topics like threshold, curiosity, and reverence, creating your own zen practice at your own pace.
14. Dotted Paperage notebook
Lastly, for those who like to design their own journals, this Paperage notebook is for you. Easily create gratitude lists, daily check-ins, and more with the dotted page. Durable and built to last daily use, there’s a reason these DIY journals are so popular.
Find the Right Gratitude Journal
Now that you know what it means to create a daily gratitude practice, you’re ready to start new habits. When you find what works for you, it’s easy to be intentional with your daily routine. How does gratitude fit into your life? How can you commit to being more thankful this year and beyond?
Change doesn’t happen overnight. It takes real work, but we can adjust the way we view the world. Seeing daily challenges through the lens of one of these gratitude journals or apps above makes all the difference.