Thankful and encouragement journals are great ways to help you stay positive and focused on what’s important in life.

A couple years ago I went through some burn out. I became very cynical and felt that I had lost my hope. I felt stuck. After a little time to just be – I started my thankful journal. I honestly think that, besides Gods good grace, the simple act of taking 5 minutes every day to look for something that I was thankful for helped me the most during that time. Not long after that I started an encouragement journal. Somewhere I could go to note things that made me feel a little better.

I hope that if you are stuck, one, or both of these ideas may help you.

Thankful Journal

A thankful journal is a great way to spend a few minutes everyday reflecting on what happened and looking for something good to dwell on. Here are a few tips to help you get started.

• Somethings I am always thankful for (my God and my family), and so those don’t get wrote in the journal unless something very special happens.
• Set a minimum number of items to be thankful for each day – I look for 3
• Give yourself enough time to think about it.

I write in my thankful journal at the end of the day. That way when I go to bed, I am already reflecting on all the things I am thankful for. I will admit, there have been days that it is really hard trying to think of 3. Those days are when I have truly noticed the little things that really get me thru, and that in any other circumstance I would not have noticed.

Encouragement Journal

An encouragement journal is just that, a place where you can keep things that encourage you. It can be anything, verses, quotes, song lyrics, doodles, pictures, notes, recipes, comics – whatever you want. It can be anything that gives you a little bit of inspiration and motivation. It’s very personal and individualized to you. It is for things that will give you encouragement, no one else.

My journal is divided into 2 parts. One part I keep bible verses, while the other is for sayings and quotes. It really has helped – especially lately – to be able to pull it out and find something that helps lift my spirits and gives me motivation to move on. And to help me realize that I’m going to be ok.

Have a good day!

-D