This post is all about gratitude journal prompts to help you practice thankfulness.
A gratitude journal is a great way to document and keep track of what you are thankful for and why. In a world where everyone is always rushing from one thing to the next, taking a moment to slow down and practice gratitude can help calm anxiety and give you a better outlook on life.
Thanksgiving journal prompts
These gratitude journaling prompts are meant to help you think about the Thanksgiving season and why we celebrate it.
1. What Thanksgiving memory are you most grateful for?
Whether every Thanksgiving is filled with numerous joyful memories, or maybe only one Thanksgiving brought you joy, what memory are you most grateful for?
2. Describe a family tradition that brings you joy.
Were you someone who grew up in an abundance of traditions? Was there only one tradition in your home? Or maybe there was never any lasting intentional tradition. What do you remember was always constant in your Thanksgiving celebrations?
3. What aspect of Thanksgiving are you most grateful for?
Whether it be food, family, and friends, Or maybe sports, conversations, or clothing. What is the one aspect you are most grateful for?
4. Who are you most thankful for this Thanksgiving?
Maybe it’s someone who was at every Thanksgiving as far back as you can remember. Or maybe it’s someone new you just met. Maybe it’s someone you are grateful to have around for another year.
5. How do you show gratitude during Thanksgiving?
Does your family go around the table saying what they are most grateful for? Do you keep a gratitude journal (wink, wink)? Or do you look for practical ways to bless others because of your gratitude?
People-centered gratitude Journal prompts
Generally, we can all agree that people are important. And these gratitude journal prompts help you reflect on the people that mean the most to you.
6. What are you grateful for in your marriage or family?
When you live in close proximity to someone else, you experience all of their perfections and imperfections. What is the one thing you know you can always count on with your spouse?
7. Who are three people you are grateful to have in your life? Write them a letter expressing your gratitude.
Is it your mom, best friend, and next-door neighbor? No matter who it is, choose at least one, if not all three, and make their day by writing them a letter expressing your gratitude.
8. Write about someone who has made a positive impact on your life.
Was there an elementary teacher who gave you your love for writing? A collage admission director who took a chance on you? Or maybe a pastor who always knows the right message to give.
9. Describe a recent moment of kindness from a stranger. How can you provide a moment of kindness to a stranger this week?
This world moves so fast that we often forget to take notice of one another. Has someone shown you a random act of kindness? How can you spread that kindness to others?
10. Write about a close friend or family member that brings you joy every time you think of them.
We all know that one person who brings a smile to our faces at the mention of their name. Who is it for you? Why?
Experience Gratitude Journal prompts
Here are questions to help you reflect on your experiences and how they have shaped you into the person you are today.
11. What was a difficult experience that you are now grateful for?
Was there ever a time in your life that you didn’t know how you would make it through? Now that you did, and are better for it, write about why it impacted you so much.
12. Describe a time when you felt supported and thankful.
We all have moments when we need to lean on others around us. When was a time you felt support and were grateful for it?
13. What is something you are looking forward to in the upcoming season?
Whether it be Thanksgiving dinner, a road-trip to see family, or tomorrow’s cup of coffee, what are you looking forward to?
14. Describe an educational experience you are grateful for that did not occur in a traditional academic environment.
Learning doesn’t have to be limited to a classroom. When did you have an amazing educational experience that would not be considered traditionally educational?
15. Write about a time when you helped someone when you didn’t want to. What was the outcome?
We’ve all been there. Someone needed our help but zero percent of us wanted to help. Write about that time for you. What was the outcome and how did it make you feel?
16. Describe an experience that helped you feel more connected to others and why you are grateful for it.
Whether it was a group activity you were afraid to do, a long flight with a stranger, or getting lost in the Amazon rainforest, we all have an experience we are now grateful for.
Gratitude journal prompts for reflecting on material things
Material things are not always bad, even though they get a bad rep. These gratitude journaling prompts will help you shift through what really matters.
17. Describe the thing you are most grateful for in your home.
We spend so much time surrounded by the possessions that we worked so hard to acquire. What are you most grateful for?
18. List all of the simple things in life that you are grateful for.
The super simple things. The ones you don’t usually think about. Soft underwear? Check. A toothbrush? Can’t live without it. Coffee maker? Absolutely!
19. Describe a piece of technology that makes your life easier and why you are grateful for it.
As much as we hate to admit it, technology can be a very useful tool. What piece of technology are you most grateful for?
20. What three things are you most grateful for this year?
These can be a little more extravagant than the simple things you were grateful for two days ago.
21. Describe a piece of furniture in your home that you are most grateful for and why.
Is your bed the perfect place for sleeping? Likewise your desk may be the best place for getting work done. Or maybe your kid’s high-chair is the best for cleaning.
Thought-provoking Gratitude journal prompts
In case the prompts didn’t make you think enough, here are my top thought-provoking gratitude journal prompts.
22. Describe the best advice you’ve ever received.
I was once told to not worry about what other people wanted for my wedding because it was supposed to be my day. Turns out this can also apply to raising kids.
23. What is something that you once took for granted that you are now grateful for?
Can you believe that I once didn’t like coffee but now I can’t live without it. The thing you took for granted doesn’t have to be super profound, you just have to be grateful for it now.
24. What is something beautiful you’ve seen today?
Leaves are changing color, the weather is stormy, and fireplaces are lit. Later, you can cozy up with some tea or hot chocolate. What was the most beautiful thing from your day?
25. Reflect on your personal growth over the last year.
Obviously, a year is a long time, and we all experience some level of change. How have you grown this past year? How fo you hope to grow this next year?
26. What is a simple pleasure or daily routine that you are grateful for?
I love waking my toddler up by laying next to his bed and saying a soft good morning. It’s my favorite routine. His favorite seems to be screaming at me BEFORE it’s time to wake up and getting ME out of bed. Oh well… you win some you lose some.
27. What is a challenge that you overcame this year that you are thankful for?
Navigating a new season with a husband in medical school has come with its ups and downs. But now that we’re past the first year, I can see all the growth. Our marriage is stronger because of it.
Journal prompts to reflect on your relationship with Christ
The most important thing in life is loving God and loving His people. These prompts will help you keep your focus on God.
Related Post: 31 Of the Best Bible Verses To Help You Focus on God
28. What quality of God are you most grateful for?
His divine nature? Maybe His loving-kindness? His compassion or mercy? There are so many qualities. And all of them are equally wonderful. But sometimes one is more impactful to us than the others. Which quality are you most grateful for?
29. Describe how you can consciously cultivate more gratitude this year.
The Bible tells us over and over again to be thankful. How can you practice gratitude this year?
30. What skill or talent are you grateful to have? How can you use it to serve others this season?
The Bible tells us that God gives us all unique gifts to serve Him and His kingdom with. What gift or talent do you have?
31. How has your faith brought you peace in difficult times?
One of the biggest blessings that comes with being a Christian is knowing that we can rest secure in the faithfulness of God. And this brings peace that surpasses all understanding. Reflect on how your faith has brought you peace. How can you share that peace with others?
What gratitude journaling prompts affected you the most or made you think the hardest?
