10 February 2025
Home >> Resources >> Articles >> The Power of Gratitude: How a Simple Habit Can Transform our Mindset
Life can feel overwhelming at times. Between academic stress, social media comparisons, and daily responsibilities, it’s easy to focus on what’s going wrong. But what if there was a simple way to shift our mindset and bring more positivity into our life?
That’s where gratitude comes in. Practicing gratitude means taking the time to appreciate the good in our life whether it be big or small. It could be a kind message from a friend, a great cup of coffee, or even just a sunny day. And one of the easiest ways to build gratitude into our routine? Keeping a gratitude journal.
Research shows that regularly practicing gratitude can have many positive effects on our lives. A few include: increased happiness, reduced stress, improved sleep and self-awareness, and even sometimes physical health. But why does it work?
Gratitude trains our brains to notice the good instead of dwelling on negatives. Over time, this shift in focus can cultivate optimism as by consistently recognising and appreciating good things in our life, we will naturally expect more positive things to happen.
When I started my gratitude journal, I wasn’t sure what to expect. At first, it felt a little awkward - what if I couldn’t think of anything to write? Regardless, I kept it simple, listing three things I was grateful for every night before bed.
At first, my entries were basic: “I’m grateful for my morning coffee” or “I’m thankful for my warm bed.” But over time, I started noticing more meaningful moments, like reconnecting with an old friend or laughing over dinner with family.
By the second month, something shifted. I felt lighter, less stressed, and more appreciative of the little things. I realised that gratitude wasn’t just something I wrote about, it was changing the way I saw my day-to-day life.
Starting a gratitude journal is simple and there’s no right or wrong way to do it. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
We often focus on what’s missing or what’s going wrong, but gratitude reminds us to recognise what’s already good. The best part? You don’t have to do it perfectly - just consistently.
So, why not give it a try? Start small, stay consistent, and see how over time, gratitude can shift perspective. Sometimes it's the smallest habits that can make the biggest difference.
Article date 10th February 2025
Article written by Miguel De Rama, Year 13 A level Student