Get Thankful: A Sneak Peak into My Gratitude Routine

About 2 years ago I was feeling so stressed and overwhelmed with life. I was going to college full-time, working 2 jobs and 1 internship, leading a dance team, and juggling a social life. Burn out is so real and I was feeling it in full force. ( I want to do a series about mental health soon!) I knew that I needed to change something.

I stumbled upon a book when I was browsing online and the idea seemed amazing to me! It is called the Miracle Morning! The book quickly taught me that my morning routine (or lack thereof) set the tone for my day. I was used to getting up about an hour before I needed to leave, scrolling through my phone notifications, getting dressed, and then essentially eating my breakfast on the walk to class. I felt so disorganized and rushed in the morning...and I HATE feeling rushed. So why was I okay with a routine that kept me feeling this way? I instantly changed my ways.

The book describes an idea known as S.A.V.E.R.S. Silence, Affirmations, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, Scribing. You want to start your morning focusing on these six items, but you can do them in any order. Here is a great quick example! I'm not going to dive too much into this, but if you're interested in a full post about this, let me know in the comments! Basically, I really believe this made my life much more fulfilling...not to mention I get so much done.

The reason I discuss the Miracle Morning is because this was the first time I really focused on thinking about what I am grateful for. The "Affirmations" portion of the miracle morning focuses on reminding yourself of the things you are great at and things you appreciate. I tend to use this time to focus on things that I am really grateful for rather than just for affirmations. An example of an affirmation would be "I can do anything I set my mind to." Whereas, expressing gratitude is like, "I am grateful for the roof over my head." They are both powerful and both have deep meaning. I mix it up depending on the day and typically write out a few of each in the morning. I think we all get lost in the hustle and bustle of the world and we forget all the things that life has blessed us with. I know that is really cheesy, but reminding yourself of all the things that you are appreciative of, helps lighten your mood and remember what is really important in life.

Since it's the holiday season, I figured it is a great time to share some of the things I am so grateful for! So here we go:

1. I am grateful for the friends and family that surround me.

2. I am grateful for the opportunity to spend the holidays with the people that mean the most to me.

3. I am grateful for the education I received that has allowed me the opportunity to work some awesome jobs

4. I am grateful that I have been pushed and encouraged to follow the path that best suits me

5. I am grateful to have someone by my side that helps me through tough times

Obviously, this is a VERY short list and it only captures a very small amount of my gratitude. I have so much to be thankful for and I always try to reflect on that around this time of the year. If you're feeling lost or stuck in a rut, give this a try! I promise you'll feel refreshed and more fulfilled!

So what are you thankful for this year? Do you have a gratitude journal? What are your thoughts on the Miracle Morning? Comment below! Also, if you are interested in more updates, be sure to head over to my Instagram account!