21-Days to More Gratitude in Your Attitude

This blog is designed to help you gain appreciation for the little things in our lives that we tend to take for granted. Often, we get so caught up in the negativity in our minds that we lose sight of all the wonderful things everyday life has to offer. This list is simple ways to move back into a space of positivity. You don’t have to go in a particular order, but I do recommend trying a new one everyday for the first 21 days.

1. Clean your space: Nothing makes you appreciate something like a little hard work. I recommend starting with this first to make room for new energy. Plus, it always feels good to come home to a clean house or office.

2. Gratitude list: This might seem harder if you feel like you don’t have anything to be grateful for, but all you need is a little imagination. Start with simple things like clean running water, sunshine, and fresh air; all necessary for life. Then read it and add to it every day.

3. One act of kindness: You don’t have to try to save the world or bend over backwards. The universe is always connecting people in need. Try simple things like holding open the door for someone, picking up something that person just dropped, or letting the car in your lane that’s trying to get over.

4. Greet mother nature: When you start off the day admiring the beauty nature has to offer you become more grounded and grateful for the home that Earth provides. Each day I like to just start off with looking out my window, listening to birds, and smelling the fresh air. Even if your view is the building next to you, try buying some indoor plants and surrounding yourself with nature.

5. Reflect on the obstacles you’ve overcome: It’s good practice to look back on the past and be proud of the mountains you’ve climbed. Sometimes when we’re in difficult situations we forget how we’ve overcome harder obstacles. When looking back on the past remember to not stare too long.

6. Mindful eating: We eat every day, but have you really thought about the journey that food went through to get to your plate? The plant that took so long to grow, the farmer that put in the work, the animal that gave its life so you may survive, or the person that took the time to cook it. Mindful eating is not only a great practice to help you appreciate having food on the table but also good if you want to lose weight. So next meal, take your time and really enjoy it.

7. Avoid negative media: There’s no rule book on what to avoid. It’s more about noticing what starts to lower your vibration. If the news is bringing you down, scary movies giving you nightmares, or you find yourself becoming jealous of your friend’s vacation on social media; then it’s time to shut it down and turn on something funny or heart filled moments. Try some loving animal clips.

8. Turn outward, not inward: If you’re really feeling down about yourself, it’s time to get out of your own way. Get out there and hang with a loved one, take yourself out on a date, or offer a helping hand to someone else. Isolation is not the key, matter of a fact it’s the poison.

9. Watch your words: If you’re talking negative, then you’re thinking negative. When you judge others, you’re judging a part of yourself because we’ve all done things we’re not proud of. If you’re using words like “never” or “always” then you’re only re-enforcing self-imposed limitations.

10. Compliment someone: Have you ever complimented someone outfit even if you would never wear it? It’s because if makes everyone feel good. When you compliment someone else without expecting anything in return then you start collecting “good karma points” and start seeing the beauty in everyone.

11. Commit to one day a week: It doesn’t really matter what you commit to as long as it’s for the highest good in all. You can start by saying, “Just for today ____.” There’s going to be slip ups and that’s ok, just catch yourself and start again.

12. Show your appreciation: Learn the power of thanking people. Thank the cashier at showed up to serve you, even if the service is slow, maybe they’re the under staffed. The person that shows you kindness, they took the time to be considerate. Your partner that is trying every day, even in difficult times.

13. Use the power of media: Using your social media to influence others is a powerful thing. You might know how that funny meme or motivational quote might lighten up someone else’s day.

14. Send love to those “change agents”: One of the toughest things to do is to send love and thanks to the people that have been the most difficult in our lives, but they are the biggest influence that have helped you grow. Take a moment to think about who you would be if you hadn’t learned those lessons. It takes real strength to look back and not only forgive but to appreciate.

15. Welcome feedback: It’s not always easy to receive feedback about how we’re doing and it’s even harder to ask for it. It takes real courage to learn from how other perceive us. But how are you going to get better at something if you don’t even know what you need to work on?

16. Gratitude collage: This is a fun way to show your appreciation and manifest the things that you want. Before you begin, set an intention and at the top of the board write, “Everything that is on this board is so…”. It’s a visual to remember the good in your life. Side not, if you’re using it to manifest your dreams, be cautious what you put on it, you never know how it will manifest.

17. Fake it until you make it: If you want to be happier you need to choose to be happy. Even if you don’t feel this way at first, the more you practice it, the more you’ll feel it. This is better in small doses; everyone needs breaks to be real with themselves.

18. Volunteer your time: Time is a precious thing that we can never get back. When you volunteer your time to doing great things, the universe rewards you. Maybe next time you’re in need, someone will be there for you too.

19. Visualize what life would be like without: Just like that old saying, “You don’t really know what you have until it’s gone.” Spending some time thinking about what life would be like if you didn’t have something can make you really appreciate it. Like, if you didn’t have a roof over your head; how different would your life be?

20. Listen to someone else’s struggles: Have you ever listen to someone else’s survival story and thought how your problems seemed so insignificant? There’s always someone out there that has it worse off than you. Taking time to put yourself in their shoes; it really makes you appreciate your own struggles.  

21. Celebrate those little wins: We all have long-term goals, but how often do you take the time to celebrate the little goals that get you one step closer. Your long-term goal might be to be more grateful in life, but did you celebrate the fact that you took the time to read this blog to achieve that goal? You should because a lot of people didn’t even make to the end. So, pat yourself on the back or do a little dance every time you accomplish something that gets you closer to your goals. You earned it!