Do you want to be more thankful but cannot think of gratitude list ideas? Are you longing to show gratitude in all areas of your life? Maybe you are seeking a way to turn that frown upside down. Adopting a change in mindset can greatly help you!
If you have ever wanted to adopt a grateful attitude, an awesome way to start moving toward this goal is to start a gratitude journal or list. If you have never created one, you are in for a real treat! It can be so uplifting to list the reasons you have to smile in your life.
In this article, we’ll look at what a gratitude list is, why you should keep one, 15 creative gratitude list ideas, frequently asked questions about gratitude and more! Be sure to grab a copy of our free printable gratitude list, as well.
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What is a Gratitude List?
There are many options when you create a gratitude list. You can come up with dozens of creative gratitude list ideas with your friends or children. Make it a group activity that everyone can participate in. This way, everyone will reap the benefits of being thankful for good things.
A gratitude list is just a list of things that you are grateful or thankful for. Maybe you are happy you have wise and loving parents. You might start your gratitude list off by listing the names of your parents. This is just one simple way to begin to create a gratitude list.
Some people use their prayer time to walk around. As they enjoy nature or their surroundings, they pray, thanking God for each encounter they have. I have even heard that there are some people who walk throughout the hospital, praying for individuals in that same manner.
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Why Keep a Gratitude List?
Keeping a gratitude list teaches you to be more thankful. You will begin to see the benefits in difficult situations. Adopting an attitude of gratitude will make people want to be around you more, which will likely lead to you having more friends. And friends bring merriment.
As you can see, there are many benefits of keeping a gratitude list. Typically, with something like this, the benefits magnify the more you participate in the activity. Also, it gets easier to come up with things to be grateful for the more times you create your gratitude list.
Learn how to create a daily gratitude list for more consistency with this habit. Included is our daily gratitude journal with journal prompts, and it is free of charge, so enjoy! You can also purchase a hardback Daily Prayer and Gratitude Journal, which will help you stay motivated each day!
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Philippians 4:6
15 Creative Gratitude List Ideas
There are many creative gratitude list ideas out there. This is just a small dip in the big pool. Take a moment to brainstorm your own gratitude list ideas to see what you can come up with before you read this list. You might surprise yourself with a magnificent idea!
1 – A Gratitude Journal
There are hundreds of gratitude journals out there to choose from. Each one is a little different. Some gratitude journals are just journals with lined pages. Other gratitude journals have prompts to help you know what to write. A daily gratitude list will give you daily prompts.
2 – An A to Z List
With an A to Z list, you basically just walk through the alphabet and list one thing you are grateful for as it corresponds to each letter. So, you might start with apples and then go to bargains at the thrift store. As you get to the more difficult letters, you might have to get creative!
For the letter “X,” you could say something like x-rays at the doctor’s office. If you have a big imagination, you could likely come up with something more delightful than that. It all depends on the types of experiences you have had in your life.
Of course, you are welcome to use any letters you wish in your gratitude list. Likewise, you can skip the letters that do not inspire you. Just make it work for you. Thankfulness is about looking on the positive side, not about making perfect lists.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. – Psalm 100:4
3 – 100 Things to Be Grateful For
A list of 100 things that you are grateful for is very similar to the A to Z list. Make a list that starts with the number one and ends with the number 100. If you really want a challenge, go for 1,000 things or some other number that is significant for you!
Once you have your list numbered, just fill it in with all of the delicious things that you’re grateful for. You might list one item more than once, but that is fine. Again, this is for you, not to be turned in as a graded project. Make it your own, mistakes and all. Embrace it. Own it. Do it.
4 – An Online Template
There are many online templates you can use that are not expensive. With an online template, you can fill out the things you are grateful for on your electronic device. That means that there is no paper trail (not that you need to worry about someone hacking into your gratitude list).
This is ideal if you are on your computer for the majority of your working day. If you prefer to have electronics off most of the day, you might do better with a gratitude journal that is made up of a steno notepad or a guided gratitude journal.
5 – A Guided Gratitude Journal
A guided gratitude list or journal will typically provide you with the guidance you need so that you can make your gratitude list. We have a FREE Daily Gratitude Journaling Page in our Free Resources. Enjoy the encouragement you might find with a guided gratitude journal.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts since, as members of one body, you were called to peace. And be thankful. – Colossians 3:15
6 – A Gratitude Jar
A gratitude jar is a place to put things to be grateful for. You might put the names of your children or pets. Consider adding the names of people, places, and things that you are grateful for. Then, when you stumble to come up with something each day, draw from the jar!
7 – Daily Things to Be Thankful For
You can make your daily gratitude list in any way you wish. Some people list 3-5 items per day. Others enjoy reading from a list they have previously created. If you are not overly creative or have difficulty coming up with things to be thankful for, you might want to use a premade list.
8 – A Freestyle Gratitude List
If you enjoy creating things from scratch, this is one of those gratitude list ideas that you will want to check out! Grab a notebook and your favorite pens and go to town, making your own list with no guidance. Just name everything that makes you smile!
9 – Blessings and Reasons
With this type of gratitude list, you can list everything that you are thankful for on one side of a piece of paper or in a notebook. Then, on the other side of the page, you will list why you are thankful for that particular thing. An example would be, “My car gets me to work safely.”
10 – A Gratitude Journal with Prompts
If you would like to, you can purchase a gratitude journal that has prompts or questions already built into each page. This is great if you are not a morning person or can never think of things to be thankful for. It gives you ideas and guidance to get those creative juices flowing.
Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. – Colossians 3:17
11 – Turning Trials into Joyful Obstacles
I once read (in a Bible study on Philippians) the instructions to list every trial or challenge you are currently facing on one side of a piece of paper. Then, cast each item down with a reason for joy. This exercise helped me tremendously and changed me to have a positive outlook!
12 – List of Gratitude in All Life Areas
Many gratitude lists are divided into various categories you might have in your life. It might have you list all of the reasons you are thankful for your family, friends, or career. This way, you keep your gratitude list a bit more balanced and do not leave anything off your list!
13 – A Thanksgiving Book or List
You can make your own Thanksgiving list or book pretty easily. Just decorate a piece of paper or notebook with fall leaves, pumpkins, or anything that reminds you of your season of gratitude. Incorporate your whole family in the activity and get their input on what to put on your list.
14 – A Pre-Written Gratitude List
Once you have a monster-sized gratitude list, as you can create in several other points of this article, you can reuse it on those days when you cannot think of anything to be thankful for. For example, use the list of 100 things you are grateful for to prompt your list of gratitude.
15 – FREE Gratitude Printable List
There are many paid and free gratitude lists out there. If you would like to use our beautiful gratitude list, you can head over to the Free Resources. There is a beautiful list that you can use as a freestyle list, where you create your own list from the beginning.
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! – 2 Corinthians 9:15
Frequently Asked Questions About Gratitude Lists
What do you write in a gratitude list?
You can list what you are thankful for. Consider practicing a silent time to make your list – a time when there will be no distractions. Maybe during your time with God, you could try to listen for the Lord to prompt you on what to be grateful for. Show Him your appreciation in prayer!
What are gratitude examples?
Showing gratitude is a key component in any relationship. If you are married, let your spouse know all of the reasons you are thankful that they are in your life. Tell them why you love them, what you love about them, and how they make you smile. Consider it a marriage booster!
What are 3 types of gratitude?
The University of California in Berkeley categorizes 3 types of gratitude. When gratitude is a mood, your attitude will change because of it. Gratitude as an affective trait is seen as one’s general disposition. Lastly, gratitude as an emotion might be a reaction to a gift received.
What are 5 ways to build your gratitude?
You might want to purchase a gratitude journal to make your list of things you are thankful for. Consider freely giving compliments or praise. Meditation can be useful. Make a list of 3-5 things you are grateful for. Prayer is the best way to show your appreciation to our Lord.
What does the Bible say about gratitude?
There are many verses in the Bible that talk about gratitude. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 is probably my favorite and is one of the more popular ones. It reminds us to always be thankful. It commands us to be thankful in ALL circumstances, as this is God’s Will for you!
Conclusion
What did you think of these creative gratitude list ideas? Did I leave anything off the list? My aim was to get you to adopt, develop, or restart an attitude of gratitude. It can truly be a game-changer!
Consider implementing gratitude in all parts of your life. You could even create a list for each area of your life if you want to. Maybe you’ll have one that is just regarding the things you are grateful for that your children or spouse do for you. Another could list your spiritual gifts.
Have fun with it! Do you have pictures of your gratitude list that you would like to share? Be sure to comment or add to our Facebook page. We are looking forward to seeing the variety that everyone comes up with! Enjoy!
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. – James 1:17
