I Tried a Gratitude App for 30 Days and This is What Happened

Lifestyle


I’ve never really had what one philosophically optimistic throw pillow might describe as “an attitude of gratitude.” One of my earliest Christmas memories centers on the chaos that ensued after I asked my parents if the gift I had just opened could be exchanged for a pair of My Little Pony dress-up heels with sequins embedded in the plastic straps. “How much time have you got?” is my standard reply when people ask how my day is going. And of course, if you don’t have anything nice to say, well, you know where to sit.

If you’re still reading at this point, and believe me I’ve closed tabs for far less, you should know that in the back of my mind, I always knew my situation was different. That not everyone had Maslow’s Hierarchy covered so thoroughly from top to bottom. Roof over my head. Food on the table. A car I liked picking up from valet. A family that returned calls and texts if I needed anything, ever. But does a vague awareness of your privilege make you truly happy? Was I one of those people others describe as joyful? Good natured? Optimistic? Ah, no.


I Tried a Gratitude App for 30 Days and This Is What Happened – Wit & Delight


And so, with an editorial prompt to meditate on thankfulness and an eye toward that annual tradition of laying “What I’m Grateful For!” in front of friends and relatives on Thanksgiving, I thought it might be time to extricate myself from a predisposition toward Debbie Downer-adjacent filters. You guys, I tried one of those gratitude journey apps for 30 days, and here’s what happened.

The first thing you should know is, there are a lot of them. Thankfully. (Right? See, I’m trying.) So you have your pick of frameworks that invite you to share as much or as little as you like. Some have alarms. Or let you save photos. Others are well branded and less embarrassing to look at every day on your home screen. I chose the latter. Downloaded it. Set two timers. And went on living my life, waiting to stumble upon my first entry. (Praise be.)

10 p.m. The alarm beeps. I start thinking really hard.


I Tried a Gratitude App for 30 Days and This Is What Happened – Wit & Delight


If anything, it demonstrates that I was probably over-thinking. What would other people think I should be thankful for? What would I want my mother-in-law, generally acknowledged to be the kindest, most humble, and appreciative person in three states, to read over my shoulder? The next few are similar. When the alarm went off, I dutifully reflected on the big things. My beautiful children. Our family’s health. And then, one morning while I wasn’t thinking, a new entry floated through my mind completely unbidden.


I Tried a Gratitude App for 30 Days and This Is What Happened – Wit & Delight


I pulled out my phone and tapped it in. Lightbulb. Instead of having a set time to make a notation, I began training myself to recognize the micro-moments of gratitude, or scenarios for which I should be grateful, and write them down immediately. To my surprise, I was:

Thankful my son forgot about Moana for a full week.

Relieved I found a missing earring at the bottom of my purse.

Pleased my husband separated the mail and recycled what we didn’t need.

Truly happy to take part in jury duty.

Glad the dog finally laid down instead of wandering up and down the stairs after the kids went to sleep.

Little things? You bet. But acknowledging them made it much more difficult to see an entire day as awful because one thing went wrong. So I forgot to pick up the meat for dinner and now we’re having vegetarian meatball subs (don’t ask). So that friend never texted me back. I stepped in a puddle. Forgot my laptop cord at home. And on and on. For every perceived slight. For every time I stood at the crossroads of glass half full and glass half empty, there were (and would continue to be) a dozen equally great things to balance them out. I’m not saying we need to keep score, but a little perspective thanks to, say, something as simple as a gratitude app, might get you pointed in the right direction.

Top image via Lisa Dengler


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BY Kate Smith - December 16, 2017

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I think I’m going to try this! It’s so convenient and may help me with my mood swings and managing my emotions, that get worse as the weather gets colder…

Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com

December 21, 2017 11:23 pm

it is a lovely post.you share an awesome image in your post. keep sharing.

Nicole
December 22, 2017 5:31 pm

This is a great idea! I just wish this app was available for Android…

Susy Kegel
December 23, 2017 1:18 pm

“Attitude of gratitude” is a phrase that gives the impression that we somehow can flip a switch and become appreciative. It takes a willingness to give up the lazy comfort of finding fault with every little thing that isn’t perfect in your life and embracing those wonderful little blessings that sprinkle the day with hope.
If I find myself muttering about having to make yet another trip upstairs to retrieve something, I remind myself that I am blessed with the physical ability to do the stairs without a problem and besides it’s great exercise.

February 1, 2018 9:52 am

This sounds like such a good app!

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