A lot of us underestimate or don’t fully grasp the power of gratitude. I used to think gratitude was about feeling grateful for the wonderful things around me. If that were the case, though, what happens when we’re feeling stress, worry, fear, or heartache? What happens when having gratitude is the most important, yet the least attainable, emotion in your arsenal?
Then it dawned on me ~ Gratitude isn’t something we should wait to feel once everything in life is perfect, but rather it’s something we should share with others on a daily basis. You can’t have thanks; you can only give it.
Creating the habit of gratitude is something that will serve you in all areas of your life. If we think of gratitude as a muscle that can be strengthened through daily use, it becomes a mental exercise, and it will soon become something you do rather than something you’re waiting to happen.
5 Steps to Turn Gratitude into a Habit
1. Start small
Practicing gratitude is most effective when you start small. Instead of trying to change your entire mindset in a single day, focus on finding one tiny thing that you appreciate.
This could be as simple as a phone call with a friend, a happy client, or a beautiful crisp fall day! Make it a point to be fully present during your moment of appreciation, and you’ll begin to notice more greatness around you.
2. Stop comparing, right NOW
When it comes to mastering your gratitude practice, do not make comparisons with others. No one knows what anyone else is going through, and comparing yourself to what you see on the outside or social media will not serve you. Oprah says it best, “Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”
3. Write it down
Writing down what you’re thankful for is a great way to remember the positive moments in your life. Writing these moments down will help you appreciate all of the special things that you begin to notice each day. It doesn’t have to be complete sentences or perfect grammar; it’s simply a journal of your gratitude journey that you can flip through in the future to serve as an instant mood enhancer anytime you need a boost.
4. Give more
Sometimes, all it takes is lending your ear for a few minutes, helping someone in need, or smiling at someone as you pass. Practicing simple kindness does so much for the person on the receiving end and for your own gratitude practice.
5. Keep it regular
Did you know that it takes about 66 days to form a habit? It’s true: experts agree that two months of regular practice is the average amount of time you’ll need to put in before a new behavior becomes automatic. Keep noting the positive things around you, keep looking for those mini-moments, and keep giving gratitude for the little things. Consistency is key!
Once you’ve turned gratitude into a habit, you will easily be able to give thanks even when you’re tired & worn out and don’t much feel like it. Speak it, and believe it, then watch gratitude Bloom wherever you are!
I am incredibly grateful for the new journey I’ve begun and that I have such wonderful clients! Helping people with such a big part of their lives and the trust they put in me brings me joy every day ~ and I’m eternally thankful for the lasting relationships we build along the way!
If you are looking to make a move and need help selling or buying your next home, contact me, I would love to help. Email me at Krista@BloomRealtyTX.com or call me at (830) 305-5248!
