In this month of Thanksgiving, I want to challenge you to set aside time each day to write an entry in a gratitude journal. It doesn’t have to be profound. You can even use bullet points rather than paragraph format if you’d like.

Science has shown that the brain cannot process anxiety and gratitude simultaneously, so during this season that ramps up with activities and celebrations, take a moment to pause and reflect on what brings you joy and peace.

Some days will be a struggle, and your list may be as simple as, I have breath in my lungs, and tomorrow is a new day. That’s ok. Other days will overflow with gratitude. Give yourself grace and space for it all, but acknowledge that there is ALWAYS something we can be grateful for.

For years, I strictly focused on gratitude when it came to journaling, but this year I gave myself permission to lament as well. The ebbs and flows of life will knock us down and take our breath away at times. I do not allow myself to wallow in the sadness, but I do permit myself to process what I’m feeling and then reflect on what I am grateful for. I hope that whether you are in a season of abounding or a season of despair, you are able to catch glimpses of light and take time to recognize and write them down.

XO, Katie