This isn’t the first time. What has worked for me in the past?

It's There in the Moment and Then Poof

I usually do my daily gratitude practice right before bed. I have tried other times but before bed is what works best for me. But every once in a while I go through a phase of it not working and I am in one of those phases now. I pick up my phone and … nothing. This is so frustrating because many times throughout my day I have moments of deep appreciation. But lately that feeling is just not translating to my gratitude writing. Sometimes I forget that moment entirely. Other times I remember it but the feeling just does not come across when I write it down. It just doesn't feel true anymore.

In these moments my go-to is to try to get really present. I forget about trying to remember and capture in words moments of gratitude I experienced earlier and instead I take a few deep breaths and focus all my attention on my five senses. This helps me find gratitude in the present moment and it always works. But lately it has become a pattern so I think it is time to change it up. I am a firm believer in learning from past successes. So here is a list of things that has worked for me in the past to re-energize my gratitude practice.

Feeling bored, uninspired, or just having gratitude writers block?

• Instead of waiting for a certain time of day to practice gratitude. Stop and write it down when gratitude emerges throughout your day.
• Take a deep breath. Notice the feel of the air going in through your nose and out of your mouth. Take another then another. Now one by one experience your five senses. What are you smelling, tasting, feeling with your skin. hearing, seeing?
• Take a break from writing and instead share a photo, drawing, song, or collage.
• Write a poem about things you are grateful for.
• Take a gratitude exploration. Set the intention of being grateful and take a few minutes to explore your environment with gratitude. This might mean going for a walk or looking through your closet or any other area you'd like to explore.
• Record an audio note sharing what you are grateful for.
• Mix it up. Try practicing gratitude at a new time of day, in a new place, using a different tool (like pen and paper instead of computer or phone).
• Set an intention to be grateful then do a normal daily task. Maybe you will have a grateful shower and find gratitude for your body, for your home, for water, etc. Then after write down your experience. 

All of these things have worked for me in the past so I am sure they will again. I am going to try out a few things to mix it up so I can bring some new energy to my gratitude practice. It is in moments like these that I remember practicing gratitude is a creative process. And creativity doesn't want to be stuck in a rut. 

I hope these ideas also help you when you aren't feeling it. Please reply and share other ideas that I can add to the list.
 
 

Creativity doesn’t wait for that perfect moment. It fashions its own perfect moments out of ordinary ones. ~Bruce Garrabrandt

In what creative ways can you express your gratitude?

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[su_note note_color=”#e7e7e7″ text_color=”#686767″ radius=”0″] My gratitude journey started in May 2011 and continues to this day. Thank you for being a part of it! A daily gratitude practice is simple. Write down three things you are grateful for each day. Download your free GratitudeGuide. My clients focus on gratitude and learn from their successes to make the positive changes they want in their lives. You can too. Call me to set up our first meeting 505.333.9336. [/su_note]