Do you have those days where the weight of the world is on your shoulders? Or the stress of the day is getting to you?
I am an empath, basically a magnet for everybody else's energy, so I used to have those days every day.
I was not even aware that all the negative was sticking to me and affecting me so deeply.
Through spiritual awakening, I have come to recognize the power of gratitude. Notably the instant energy shift I feel when I follow these steps.
1. Make a list outlining what you are grateful for in your life
- Grab a piece of paper and write a list of what you are grateful for today.
- The list can include anything. Family, friends, coffee, the sunshine, that it is almost the weekend, that you have a hobby you enjoy...literally anything. Even on particularly hard days it is possible to find things, so if you are having a hard time, narrow in on the small things that bring you comfort.
- Take a few minutes to think about it and name everything big and small that you are grateful for in your life.
2. Read your list and take note of how you feel reading it
- Does reading your list give you all the feels?
- Think about each item on your list and feel it in your heart.
- Say thank you to God/the Universe/whatever you are comfortable with for each item.
3. Sit with your gratitude
- This is as easy as it sounds. Sit in quiet or with soft music to drown out any thoughts besides your list.
- Think about the list as a whole. How does it make you feel to realize all the things in your life for which you have to be grateful?
- Sit and reflect on it. I like to close my eyes. Get comfortable for a few moments.
- Before you move on, take note of how this exercise made you feel.
4. Get on with your day
- That is it - this can take less than one minute or be a beautiful meditative habit to add into your day.
- If you still feel the energy that was making you feel negative, sit with your list a little longer, turn on some uplifting music or add in an additional activity of writing down what is affecting you and try to see if it is yours or if you are taking on others frustrations or worries. Then go back to your list and focus on gratitude for another minute.
How did this exercise help you? This is an easy addition to your day and I promise that with practice you will find yourself feeling better for more of the time.
Journal prompt: What are you grateful for today?
