Practicing Self-Appreciation through Gratitude Journaling

One of the first steps on the complex road to self-discovery is difficult yet necessary in forging the path of our very own unique essence. By practicing self-appreciation it allows us the opportunity to become one-step closer in not only recognizing our innate value as human beings, but also serves as a way to heal our emotional and spiritual well being. Owning your amazingness and being unapologetic in your personal pursuits toward self-discovery can lead to a healthy and fulfilling existence.

It begins with being receptive to the power of gratitude and self-appreciation because unfortunately, it is easy to lose sight of the positive attributes we possess from within. One of the many ways to counter negative thoughts and practice personal gratitude can be achieved through both journaling and writing a weekly self-appreciation list.

Start small and incorporate a nightly or morning routine of writing down at least five characteristics you truly love embracing about yourself. Eventually, you will develop a habit of appreciating your incredible qualities. After establishing your routine, one day you will look up and realize you have been writing non-stop for hours because your personal excellence extends far beyond the limitations placed upon you.

Once you begin this practice, take notice of how it positively affects your mood and behavior. Recognizing your self-worth will prove to be the most powerful prescription for internal healing for your mind and body. As a cautionary tale, as you complete your lists take it a step further and challenge yourself to absorb the positive self-analysis. Writing it down, only to move forward without truly allowing time for self-reflection undermines the intention of creating a self-appreciation journal.

Establishing clarity in our daily lives, boosting optimism, helping translate emotions, increasing creative potential and strengthening our abilities to bounce back from challenges are some of the beneficial elements of gratitude journaling. If you are unsure of where to begin or how to get started, ask yourself a few of the following questions.

• What do I love about myself?
• When do I feel confident and full of life?
• What do I like most about my appearance?
• How would I describe confidence?
• What achievements am I most proud of?
• Do I compare myself to others?
• What did I do well today?
• What have other people complimented me about?
• What positive impact or influence do I carry?

This is the first step to maximizing your full potential and improving your thought process of your self-perception. Soul-searching can be a daunting task, but whether we want to believe it or not, everyone is on a road to self-discovery because life can be a difficult journey. Some days are better than others and sometimes all you need is a daily reminder or a quick pick-me-up for a personal lift. How you talk too and treat yourself are the biggest contributors to establishing how you truly feel. Maintaining a journal filled with good qualities and compliments will help transform your self-doubt into self-fulfillment and bolster your self-esteem.

For this reason, it is important to slow down and take time to learn, love and appreciate yourself. As cliché as it sounds, “Life is not a race but indeed a journey.” It is not about winning or losing. The purpose is to grow, evolve and thrive throughout each stage of the cycle. Embracing the trials and tribulations that may come your way will help you in your quest of personal enlightenment and your actions on this journey of building a positive sense of self will inspire others to follow suit.

What better way to set the example and build the blueprint of capturing and discovering your greatness than jotting down your internal commentary?