Practicing gratitude is at least as old as the Romans, Stoics specifically. It has also found support in modern scientific research on the causes of happiness. I often hear people mention listing 3 items a day, which can work for many. I didn’t feel like it allowed me to progress. I treat gratitude like a muscle, it can be exercised daily, but greater efforts can last longer.
My favourite variation, so far, is to see how many things I can be genuinely grateful for, in one sitting, by memory alone. By relying on recall, I strengthen good memories, making them more accessible in darker times. The challenge of maximizing my list does two things:
- Provides a measurable sense of progress
- Forces me to dig deeper and realize small things I take for granted
Try it out, at your convenience, over a few weeks, and comment with your experience. There is no time limit. The longer you find gratitude, the better.
Some examples from my last list:
- The sound of wind through trees
- Thoughtful family
- My adorable dog
- Insightful podcasts
- Friendly neighbours
- Good customer service
- Reuniting with old friends
- Safe city, province, and country
- Enthusiastic coworkers
- Smart lights
- Supportive Professors