Even the most reflective people sometimes stare at a blank page not knowing what to write. These prompts provide a gentle nudge to spark meaningful reflections.
Prompts are like friendly guides that broaden your perspective. Without them, we might write "I'm thankful for my family, my job, my health" over and over. Exploring new angles enriches the practice:
List three things that went well or made you smile today. This classic prompt trains you to scan your day for positives, even if it was a hard day.
Who is one person you're especially grateful for, and what's something they did (big or small) that you cherish?
Think of a recent challenge or setback. What is something you've gained or learned from it that you're thankful for?
What is a simple everyday thing that you often take for granted, but are grateful for right now? A warm shower, clean sheets, morning light.
Reflect on the past week. What was the highlight or a moment you're thankful happened? Recall it in detail to relive the joy.
Name something in the natural world you're grateful for today – fresh air, shade of a tree, sound of rain, the existence of mountains.
Identify a personal quality or strength of yours that you're thankful for. Your determination, sense of humor, or curiosity.
What's something you're grateful didn't happen today? This flips perspective and helps appreciate the avoidance of negatives.
Recall a fond memory that you're grateful to have. What happened, and why does it still mean a lot to you?
Think of something in the near future that you feel grateful or hopeful about. A weekend break, a call with a friend, a new hobby.
Instead of "I'm grateful for my best friend," try "I'm grateful for my best friend for dropping by with soup when I was sick."
If a prompt leads you to something light or silly ("grateful for my comfy socks"), that's perfectly fine.
If a prompt doesn't quite resonate, tweak it. Broaden "this week" to "this month" if needed.
Over time, you might find you don't need prompts every day. Use them when you feel stuck.