If you want to start a gratitude journal, there’s never been a better time. However, we’re all leading busier lives than ever. A weekly gratitude journal makes it possible to check in with yourself every week, taking inventory of your feelings and what you’re thankful for.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- What Should You Include in a Weekly Gratitude Journal?
- How to Download and Edit Your Weekly Gratitude Journal
- Weekly Gratitude Prompts
Journaling is a wonderful way to practice mindfulness, but it takes some practice to condition your mind to look on the bright side. The more you get into this practice, the easier it becomes to find moments of optimism and thankfulness in your daily life. A gratitude journal is there to guide you on your mindfulness journey.
However, if you’re first getting started with a gratitude journal, it’s normal to be a bit intimidated. We’re all so busy nowadays, and it’s not always easy to know what to be grateful for. That’s why it’s helpful to use gratitude journal prompts when first getting started. We share weekly gratitude journal templates complete with thought-provoking prompts in this guide below. This template is free to use, edit, and customize.
What Should You Include in a Weekly Gratitude Journal?
First, what should you include in a weekly gratitude journal? Since this is your own practice, there are no rules about what you can and can’t include. As long as you’re confident with your choice, you can feel justified with whatever you choose to put in a weekly gratitude journal.
In general, most weekly gratitude journals include:
- Things you’re grateful for
- The date(s)
- Inspirational quotes, passages, etc.
- Weekly affirmations
- To-do list or reminders
You might use your weekly gratitude journal as part of an existing agenda, or you could keep it entirely separate. There is no “right” or “wrong.” Because this is something you aren’t likely to share with others (unless you want to), you don’t have to worry about it being perfectly put together.
Tips for creating a weekly gratitude journal
With that in mind, what are the best tips for creating a consistent, weekly gratitude journal? Like any new practice, you can’t expect to hit the ground running right away. Even if you’re familiar with the process of weekly journaling, it can take a bit of time to develop the mindset for gratitude.
Luckily, there are so many ways to show gratitude. As long as you find a method that works for you, then you’re on the right track. There is no one-size-fits-all. Here are some of the best tips to inspire your own mindfulness journey of gratitude:
- Choose gratitude: It’s not enough to just go through the motions. Make it a priority to practice gratitude in your daily life, even if it feels awkward at first. Journaling alone is a great first step, but it can’t be your only step.
- Personal: This is an opportunity to get personal, focusing on the relationships and experiences that you value. Place more emphasis on people and feelings over things and objects.
- Schedule: Make a clear journaling schedule. This doesn’t have to be every day, especially if you can’t keep up with it. The goal is to find a schedule that works for your life. This could mean writing every day, once a week, or monthly.
- Use prompts: Struggling with writer’s block? You’re not alone. Instead of forcing yourself, use gratitude prompts to come up with things that matter to you. Once you get the ball rolling, it’s easy to continue.
- Accuracy: Lastly, this isn’t a school essay. Don’t worry about it being “perfect.” Your gratitude journal is a personal place to express yourself. Your grammar and spelling don’t matter.
How to Download and Edit Your Weekly Gratitude Journal
Are you ready to download and edit your weekly gratitude journal? If so, you’re in the right place. We created this free PDF download with journalers of all levels in mind. These have simple prompts to inspire you into action, and they’re structured enough to use daily or weekly.
Once you download your weekly gratitude journal, you can print it or save it to your device. It’s up to you whether you’d like to write in your journal with pen and paper, or if you’d prefer to keep it digital. The best option is the one you’re likely to stick with. Need more inspiration? Check out the additional gratitude prompts below.
Weekly Gratitude Prompts
Gratitude is far from one-and-done. It’s something you focus on and value every day. Even though you might think of a few things off the top of your head that you’re thankful for, it’s still hard to think about gratitude regularly. A gratitude journal prompt helps you identify what matters most to you.
It’s not always easy to see the good things around you, especially if you don’t stop to reflect. This list of prompts is here to fill any gaps, helping spark inspiration when you need help along the way.
- Who is someone you can always count on?
- What’s one good thing that happened to you this week?
- Name a special surprise you had this past week?
- What are a few things you’re doing great at right now?
- What family member are you most grateful for at the moment?
- What can you do to reduce the stress in your life?
- Which day this week was your best day?
- What always puts a smile on your face?
- Name something you accomplished this week.
- How did the weather this week make you feel?
- What meals made you happy this week?
- What are you looking forward to next week?
Make a Weekly Gratitude Journal
Whether you’re exploring the connection between grief and gratitude or simply gaining perspective, a weekly gratitude journal is a great idea. This act of reflection might take a bit of getting used to, but it can completely turn your week around. Now is the right time to put your blessings first, focusing on the things that really matter.
When life is passing you by, it’s easy to overlook the best parts of life. These small moments might not be noticeable. When you take a moment of reflection, you act with kindness toward yourself. Soon, this becomes second nature.