Expressing gratitude doesn’t require money. It doesn’t require much thought or effort, but it can change our whole outlook on life.
I say this, because I’ve experienced it personally.
Two years ago, I started keeping a Gratitude Journal — a small notebook where I recorded a few blessings from each day. I was going through some health problems at the time and feeling really discouraged and weary from going to doctors, trying various treatments, and not seeing any improvement.
After I began the habit of writing down my blessings each morning, I noticed a marked difference in my attitude — even while struggling with pain and discomfort. I started noticing little blessings that I had taken for granted before. I realized how much I had to be thankful for that I hadn’t been paying attention to because I was so focused on the pain and discomfort.
Truly, the simple practice of writing down my blessings each day transformed my perspective. Instead of focusing on everything that seemed to be going wrong, I started being so grateful for all that was right in my life.
Once my health problems were finally resolved, I had found such benefit in writing down my blessings every day that I decided to continue doing it.
Since I’m all about keeping things simple, I love the concept of a having a journal where there’s just a little space to write in every day. I don’t usually have 15 minutes to journal every day, but I can find a minute or two to write down a few things I’m thankful for.
My mom bought me a journal the past two years that was a line-a-day gratitude journal. I’ve loved using it and as I’ve talked about it here on the blog, many of you have asked where you can get one, too.
I started dreaming about the possibility of creating my own gratitude journal — one that was pretty, clean, simple, and inspiring. Soon after this, a company approached us about possibly publishing a journal or gift book for us.
When I had my first phone call with them, I knew exactly what journal I wanted them to help us create — a simple Gratitude Journal! And I’m so excited that it’s finally all finished, printed, and ready for purchase!
Cue the drum roll…
The Choose Gratitude Blessings Journal will inspire you to look for blessings in your every day life. It’s simple (just two lines for every day!) and doable for even the busiest woman.
Each month, there is a theme and each month’s pages have quotes and encouragement to go along with that theme. There are also a few extra pages for journaling or doodling if you’d like to include some extra thoughts or blessings.
I am so thrilled that the Choose Gratitude Blessings Journal is finally done. I hope that you’ll consider purchasing one and joining me in the life-changing practice of starting each day by re-counting your blessings.
Let’s live lives of gratitude… because there is always, always, always something to be thankful for!
I know I am a bit late but I am in the UK and ordered this journal on Christmas day. It came on the 30th and I have been planning how to tackle it since. I have a 4 year old boy and 2.5 year old girl and 39 weeks pregnant with girl number 2. I am currently in miserable mode in pain with sciatica and spd waiting to give birth and decided that I needed to change my attitude while reading your posts so I have started in my journal and making plans for the year, I hope to be consistent with it and buy one for my sister who is in the same season as me and be accountable together. Thank you for creating such a wonderful resource.
I’m so grateful to hear this! I hope that it encourages you in this new year!
Hi there!
So is this journal specific to women? I kind of just saw the details of it saying for “even the busiest woman”, but I sent one to a man! Haha I was just wondering if it specifically mentions being a woman in the journal. Thanks! 🙂
Can someone contact me about my order that I just received today? (I placed it November 18th) I ordered 3 journals, and 2 of 3 are not in the best shape…I was hoping to give 2 as Christmas gifts…but they look pretty bad….the bubble envelope is in bad shape too….sigh (FYI there isn’t contact info on the packing slip). Thanks in advance.
I’ve emailed Matt who is in charge of our shipments and he should touch base with you tomorrow morning and get this taken care of for you ASAP. I am so sorry for the issues. Let me know if for any reason things aren’t resolved ASAP. My email is crystal @ moneysavingmom.com
Thanks so much!
I ordered a few of these on 11/19, but I never received an email confirmation and I haven’t received them yet. I was charged on my CC, but I just want to make sure they are on there way. I tried emailing through your site a few minutes ago and thought I’d contact this way in case it’s better/faster. Thanks!
You definitely should have received them by now. I’m wondering if something happened to your package somewhere along the way. I’m so glad you checked. Can you please email joy @ moneysavingmom.com and she’ll check on Monday to figure out what’s up and make sure you get your order?
Thanks! I emailed Joy and am waiting for her reply. I just hope I’ll get them in time for Christmas now?!
I’m having trouble ordering. I’ve emailed Joy and have not received a response. I just sent a new email to both of you.
I ordered mine plus a few for gifts. Did you mention on your site about a friend having an app to help organize Christmas lists? I wanted to support them too, but I can’t find the information.
Hmm, I’m not sure that I know what you’re referring to. Maybe it was a different site?
I’m trying to order this on Amazon and it’s still out of stock. Do you know when more will be in stock?
This is really exciting, Crystal! Love the look and the colors!
I remember reading a post of yours when you first started keeping a gratitude journal. Plus, I’d seen lots of the 1,000 gifts lists across internet land. I’ve kept a prayer journal for a long time and I liked the idea of jotting down specific things I was grateful for. I had a cute journal book I’d picked up one time, so I started listing things. I don’t do it every day, but I enjoy it and just glancing at the journal reminds me of all the things, big and small, that I’m grateful for.
Thanks so much for your sweet encouragement!
Hi, Last week you have a promotion to buy your beautiful Choose Gratitude Journal, I took advantage of the $7.99 offer, but I have not received notification that my purchase went through. Could you please let me know if my order has been put through correctly, or will I have to reorder it.
Thank you so much
Sorry, but this was the only way I knew to contact you
Blessings
Robyn
It should have. You can email joy@moneysavingmom.com to verify that it went through.
I ordered three copies of the journal choosing gratitude. One was supposed to be sent to a friend, I entered her address but it was sent to me instead. Can I return and have it sent to her instead? Please advise on what information you need from me and where to send the information.
Regards,
Cheryl
Email joy@moneysavingmom.com and she’ll help you out. Thanks so much!
Hi: I emailed Joy but have not heard back from her about my question.
She said she got your email from last night and had to check on something in order to answer your email, but you should hear back soon!
Crystal, I know this post is old, so I’m not sure if you will see this comment, but I have a question for you.
My brother died a couple weeks ago. I’m sad and hurting, but he was “just” my brother. Mostly, I’m saddened for my sister in law who lost her husband. I want to get her something that comforts and helps move her through the grieving process. I am wondering about your gratitude journal. But, not being able to see the inside…
Is it at all “preachy” about gratitude? I mean, what may seam like inspiration quotes to those of us who deal with poopy diapers and too much laundry may seem like a slap to someone hurting a lot. I just wasn’t sure if there were a lot of “have a better life if you’re grateful” sorta quotes in there.
I am so, so sorry about your brother!! My heart hurts for you and for his wife. {Hugs!}
That’s a great question… Can I send you one to look through and then, if you think it would be appropriate, I’ll send one to your sister-in-law? Email me your address: crystal @ moneysavingmom.com
I am purchasing one for myself. Not able to see what the inside looks like. I will be, hopefully, buying more for family females, college students, Gram and the like, once I see it fully. Super excited!
If you look on Amazon, you can see inside of the journal to get a really good idea of what it looks like. I hope that helps!
Thank you for the discount code. I just ordered 3!
You are so welcome!
Hi Crystal,
The coupon code is no longer working this am to order 🙁
It should be working — and has been working for dozens of people this morning. Make sure you use all caps and copy it exactly as written. Let me know if you can’t get it to work.
I just purchased 3, but did not receive any order confirmation. Is there a way to find out if it went through so I do put multiple orders in? Thanks!
Can you email your full name/address to joy@moneysavingmom.com and she can double-check that your order went through? So sorry you didn’t get a confirmation!
Yes. Just emailed her. Thank you!
I love this! It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for for myself and for my team members! Do you offer bulk rates? I need to purchase about 20 of them.
Chrystelle, usually I would say yes, we can offer a bulk rate – but it’s the same as with the $2 off code. If you have any questions, please email me at joy@moneysavingmom.com
I just started jotting down what I’m thankful for each day in a regular notebook because of your 12 Months to a Healthier You November Challenge. I love the idea of a special journal dedicated to gratitude! Hopefully, I will find money in the budget next month to purchase your journal so I can make this a regular part of my day for the new year.
Absolutely love this journal!!
I am a very upbeat, happy person and I agree with you, there is always, always, always something to be thankful for. In fact, I have this saying in my home.
My Mother-In-Law is the most negative/judgemental person I’ve come across. She has a woe-is-me attitude and complains constantly. SO…guess who is getting this for Christmas?! 🙂
I pray this journal will be a blessing to her. And that she will strive to choose JOY in life!
Thank you for the discount code as this helps with the cost (I purchased 3) Blessings!
Love this post! I had to smile, because I too am a very happy, upbeat person as well… and I cannot understand why some people are always negative/judgmental/have-something-harsh-to-say. I like to spread happiness, in spite of life’s difficult circumstances, and I agree that these blessings journals are a GREAT way to do that! 🙂
Hi Holly,
Just a thought and hope this will be taken in kindness – it might be a good idea for you to include a kind note to her when wrapping the gift. Sometimes people can take such things in a negative way and it could possibly come across to her what you feel (that she is a negative person). Some people need a little extra love and kindness when it comes to such a subject. There may be many reasons in her life that she is the way she is that you don’t know about. It is a wonderful gift, and will be probably be accepted more graciously if you share about how you know it will help your own life as well. Hope this helps and God bless. 🙂
I would LOVE to get one of these. I’ll be praying that I can come across a little extra money to get it. I was supposed to get 4 $5 gift cards from doing Chatabout but they never sent them to me and now I can’t get into my account. I have emailed the admins with no luck =(. Pray for me to have a blessing of some extra $ so I can get this!
I’d be more than happy to send you a copy. Just email me your mailing address and make a note that this is for the Gratitude Journal: crystal @ moneysavingmom.com
You are so sweet! Thank you for your blessing of the Gratitude journal <3 I can't thank you enough!!!!
Hey Crystal,
This journal is such a WONDERFUL idea! And it turned out so cute. The design totally reminds me of your website. I’m sure that was planned though. 😉 I had a question, and I’m not sure if this is the best place to ask, but it’s worth a try…
This journal so totally goes along with the theme of my blog thethankfulonion.com. I was just wondering if I could share this post on my blog. I’m not even sure the best way to do that. Lmk your thoughts. Thanks!!
Thanks for your kind encouragement! Feel free to link over to this post from your blog. You’re welcome to share a paragraph or one of the pictures from the post, too, and then send people here to read the post. Thanks SO much for asking and for your desire to share this with your readers.
Thanks Crystal! Will do!
Done deal! http://thethankfulonion.com/2014/11/thankful-thursday-choosing-gratitude-changed-life/
Thanks again!
I ordered two for Christmas gifts. Yippie!
Woohoo! Thanks so much!
I finally used copy and paste for the coupon code and realized I didn’t use capital letters. I think my kids getting me up early this morning was the culprit of that mistake. : ) Thanks Amanda!
So glad you were able to get it figured out… and I’m so sorry for the issues you had with it!
No worries at all Crystal. I’m so excited to get my journal and even more excited to give one to each of my close friends! Thank you for doing what you do.
I had some credits to use at amazon so I thought about purchasing there, but they are sold out already! Congrats on this latest success!
We’re hoping they’ll have it back in stock in the next week! We’re working on that right now.
I am so excited about this journal. My family just went through a very stressful time in our lives. I tried to keep my eyes on the good things to get through it even though some days it was really difficult. I also have a friend who is facing a lot off challenges right now and this would be the perfect gift for her!
I am having trouble getting the discount code to work. Is anyone else? Does the discount apply to each book if you purchase more than one?
I was able to get it to work. It did come off of each one I purchased. I had to enter it twice. Double check your spelling. I added an extra S.
Thank you for another wonderful and encouraging post. One thing that has helped me during challenging times (and this will date me a little) is singing Larnelle Harris’ song, “I Choose Joy”. The words are a proclamation of faith.
The second shortest verse in the Bible is, “Rejoice Evermore”. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-28
Thank you so much for sharing this!
This is awesome!! Congrats!
Thanks so much for sharing in my excitement!
This is going on my Christmas list. My husband and I just got saved. It is amazing all the things that God blesses us with that we didn’t even notice before.
I recently read Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts… And I have been thinking about doing a list of blessings or some kind of gratitude journal… I will have to look into this! It is good to be thankful all year long. I know we have some upcoming medical things coming up, and that sometimes makes me lose focus on the good things…
Ann’s book is SO good — and it really inspired me at a deep level!
Can’t wait to order & ordering several for Christmas presents!!!
I am beyond excited for this journal. I have been thinking about starting a graditude journal and it was a blessing to see this post. Thank you so much! 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing in my excitement!
Can anyone that ordered tell me how expensive the shipping was?
Maria –
To ship to Denver, CO the shipping was $3.50.
Thank you!
I ordered two and had them shipped to Mississippi and it cost $4.50 total for shipping. I figured the $2 savings on each book practically paid for shipping! 🙂
Thank you!
Just ordered this! I can’t wait to get started!
Just got myself one! I have a couple of friends I want to purchase one for and have mailed to them in the coming weeks…is there a gift option to send a little message along with it if I purchase from your store (or should I go thru Amazon for that)?
Looking forward to using this! I had got one like you were using from scripture memory fellowship and I enjoyed the layout but was wanting a little more space to write so I’m excited for the layout of this one! (And this is making me even more excited for your new line of organizing and inspirational products in the coming year!)
Jody – This is Joy from Crystal’s team. I’m sorry, but we don’t have any gift options set up right now – what a great idea though! I’ll see if we can add that down the line. If you want to be sure you can make that happen, it might be best to go through Amazon for now.
Thanks for your interest!
Thanks Joy for responding! I will go thru Amazon for now and be on the lookout for the possibility of the gift option for future products.
I received my journal today that you so graciously mailed me, and cried. I too am going through several changes in my life, one of which is health related; TTC, lack of energy, feeling constantly run down, and generally pessimistic. I am in the process of creating a review of this journal and will post it to my blog Sunday, for my “Attitude of Gratitude post.”
Sometimes you “run into” others online, and in life that help you understand all of the blessings in your life! And now to be able to journal these moments, all the better!
You are such a blessing!
Is there any way you can post what the shipping rates are before entering all of the information on your webpage? It would be helpful to be able to find the best price. Thanks!
Annie – this is Joy from Crystal’s team. Unfortunately, you do have to enter your information before you see the shipping costs, but, you have a chance to leave before purchasing if you change your mind. I live in Colorado and the shipping for me for one book was $3.50. I hope this helps!
Thanks!
I bought it a few days ago on Amazon and can’t wait to get it!
This is so exciting! Will have to save some spending money and order this soon:-) congrats on this, Crystal!
Thanks so much for sharing in my excitement!