The Power of Gratitude: A Small Habit with a Big Impact

Practicing gratitude is something every single one of us can do. It’s one of the simplest wellbeing tools available to us. The great news is, it won’t cost you a penny, you don’t need any equipment or training.

Just the willingness to participate!

You don’t need a quiet room, a special journal, or a perfect mindset. Gratitude can be practiced anytime, anywhere, and it only takes a moment of reflection.

And that’s exactly what makes it so powerful.

Life can be chaotic. Some days feel heavy, unplanned, or just completely overwhelming. Gratitude doesn’t ask you to pretend things are perfect, it simply invites you to notice what is supporting you, even when everything else feels uncertain.

A Simple Shift

Gratitude is the practice of taking a moment to appreciate the good things in your life, including the ones you might usually take for granted. It’s not about ignoring challenges; it’s about widening your perspective so the challenges don’t take up all the space.

This practice gently shifts your perception. You’ll start noticing moments of comfort, connection, or joy that were always there, just waiting for your attention.

As Alice Morse Earle said so beautifully:

‘Every day may not be good,

but there’s something good in every day.’

Some days that “something good” is big. Other days, it’s tiny, but tiny still counts.

Gratitude doesn’t need to be profound. It’s all about noticing the wonderfully ordinary things in your everyday life:

·       The roof over your head

·        A warm cup of tea

·        Someone sharing chocolate with you

·       A comfortable bed

·       A message from a friend

·       A pet’s cuddle or a loved one’s laugh

These small, simple things are easy to dismiss, but when you pause to acknowledge them, they create a ripple of calm and positivity.

Life Isn’t Perfect and That’s Okay

We often chase perfection, imagining that life will finally feel good “when everything is sorted.” But perfection is a moving goalpost, something we strive for, but never truly reach.

Gratitude brings you back to what’s real.

It reminds you that there is still goodness in your life right now.

Instead of waiting for everything to be flawless, gratitude helps you appreciate the beauty in the in-between moments.

Let Calm, Clarity and Appreciation begin!

I personally love doing this at the end of the day. Reflecting on what went well, even if it’s just one tiny thing. It helps me fall asleep in a more peaceful, positive frame of mind.

‘It’s like giving your brain a soft landing at the end of the day.’

 

But there’s no right or wrong way to practice gratitude. Morning, evening, in the car, on a walk, during a tea break or even sat on the loo, it all counts. The best time is simply the time that works for you.

If you’re up for the challenge, let’s get started!!!

Gratitude doesn’t need to be complicated. Try this simple exercise:

1. Just find somewhere that you can focus for a few moments

2. Take a few nice deep breaths in through your nose and gently out through your mouth

3. Without over thinking simply ask yourself. ‘What three things am I grateful for today?’

If nothing comes to mind immediately don’t force it just simply repeat

“I’m grateful for my breath, my phone, and this moment of calm.”

Small, simple… and surprisingly powerful!

Be gentle on yourself this is something that takes practice, just like running a marathon it would be almost impossible for most of us today, but its something most of us could achieve with practice and perseverance!

You might also like to try:

·       Saying thank you silently throughout your day

·       Verbalising your appreciate of others

·       Noticing what feels good around you

Creating impact

Our minds are wired to pay more attention to what’s wrong than what’s right, it’s a survival instinct. Gratitude helps rebalance this tendency by shifting your focus onto what’s working, what’s supportive, and what’s good.

Over time, this practice can:

·       Create more positivity

·       Strengthens resilience

·       Boost your mood

·       Encourage better sleep

Because the mind attracts more of what it focuses on, gratitude naturally creates a snowball effect.

‘The more you look for good things, the more,

good things you begin to notice.’

You only have to cast your mind back to the last time you bought a car or took on a new interest and suddenly you notice it appears everywhere, yet strangely you had never noticed it before!

Gratitude won’t erase your challenges, but it will change your relationship with them. It helps soften the edges of difficult days and amplify the joy, positivity good in our lives. It’s a practice of returning to what matters, reconnecting with yourself, and recognising that even in uncertainty, life offers moments of nourishment and light.

‘Small habits, small moments. Amount to a big, meaningful impact.’

Start today, just three simple things. Your wellbeing will thank you for it!

 Joanne x