I read that taking time each day to write down 5 things for which you are grateful can help to improve mood. I started doing this about a month ago. I wonder if anyone else does this or is interested in starting? I think it would be wonderful if we created a Gratitude Thread and could watch it grow with people's additions. These need not be major or dramatic things to be grateful about. It could be something as simple as: "I am grateful that the sun came out today." On a dark day, people may find it difficult to think of 5 so even 1 would be great!
Does anyone feel like sharing some gratefulness with me??
I'll start....
I am grateful for a kind message I received from a friend.

I am grateful for the little african violet I bought, it's blooming nicely.

Originally Posted by 2daffodils

I am grateful for the little african violet I bought, it's blooming nicely.

That sounds beautiful! Thank you for providing a lovely image

[RomanSunburn]

Thanks for starting this thread!

Have you seen any improvement with your mood after writing down five things you are grateful for everyday for a month?

I am grateful for former neighbors that still send cards at the holidays.

Originally Posted by RomanSunburn

Thanks for starting this thread!

Have you seen any improvement with your mood after writing down five things you are grateful for everyday for a month?

I am grateful for former neighbors that still send cards at the holidays.

Yes, I have found that my daily lists help...to remind me that there are always things to be thankful for even on very sad days. With the onset of winter (less daylight is hard), I find myself often being thankful for my safe home and warm coat. Things that many do not have.

I'm not suggesting that gratitude is a cure but I do find that it helps. If you try it, I recommend writing down your list in the same notebook/document each day. The next time you're having a dark day...you can pull out your list and remind yourself of all that goodness and hopefully feel better! You can also share/practice with others in your home or workplace...on a day when someone is finding it hard to feel grateful, you can invite them to read someone else's list.

There's so much for me to be thankful for a lot. I have my health, at least I don't feel like there's anything wrong. I have shelter; out from the cold, enough money in my savings, a job I like with nice people, car running good, and other things.

I think that with depression, it seems much easier to dwell on what's wrong rather than what's right. In essence, at least that's how it is for me, there are more items in my life that are right than wrong. But I make the mistake of thinking about the items that are wrong.

Every night I thank the Lord for all the good things He's done. It really makes me feel pretty good before going to bed.

Originally Posted by will19

There's so much for me to be thankful for a lot. I have my health, at least I don't feel like there's anything wrong. I have shelter; out from the cold, enough money in my savings, a job I like with nice people, car running good, and other things.

I think that with depression, it seems much easier to dwell on what's wrong rather than what's right. In essence, at least that's how it is for me, there are more items in my life that are right than wrong. But I make the mistake of thinking about the items that are wrong.

Every night I thank the Lord for all the good things He's done. It really makes me feel pretty good before going to bed.

You made a very astute point:

"I think that with depression, it seems much easier to dwell on what's wrong rather than what's right. In essence, at least that's how it is for me, there are more items in my life that are right than wrong. But I make the mistake of thinking about the items that are wrong."

Did you know that some experts think of depression as an attention bias...essentially that the brain is biased toward focusing on negatives rather than positives...just as you noticed about yourself.

I'm in the same boat. I have many good things in my life but my brain often finds all the negatives to worry about or feel sad about. But there is GOOD news!!! It is possible to re-program your brain to focus more on positives.

Another strategy which researchers say helps after 21 days:
Keep a notebook by your bed. At night, before you go to sleep, write down 3 positive things about yourself. When you wake up in the morning, before you even get out of bed, open up your notebook and read the 3 positives from the night before. Researchers found this a useful technique in training the brain to focus on positives; thereby helping with depression and low self-esteem.

You are already doing part of this when you thank God...this tip could just help you make it more concrete and combine it with your morning routine. The idea is that the last things you think about at night and first things you think about in the morning are POSITIVE Peace and good luck to you.

sure.... today I am greatful for:

1. a warm breakfast

2. clean clothes

3. being in less pain than yesterday

4. christmas music

5. this thread which is an awsom idea

[GLMS]

Originally Posted by HopefullyLost1211

"I think that with depression, it seems much easier to dwell on what's wrong rather than what's right. In essence, at least that's how it is for me, there are more items in my life that are right than wrong. But I make the mistake of thinking about the items that are wrong."

This. This is one of the things that eventually sent me for the Psych Consult. My logical brain realized there wasn't anything really wrong with my life except my perception/reactions to it. What was going on in my mind didn't line up with my life at all.

Anyway back to this list (a very nice idea)

Things I'm thankful for:

A warm, cozy house in this cold winter.

A spouse that loves and supports me.

My critters that love me unconditionally.

My physical health is good for the most part.

That my perceptions are doing a much better job of lining up with the reality of my life

[akekaomen]

Nice idea. I think it helps focus your mind on something positive to help break the cycle depression brings. I don't know about 5 things, but I am grateful that I read this thread. Grateful that I have a supportive wife. Grateful I have a place to live.

[Thirty shades]

I am grateful to you HopefullyLost1211.

Thank you for reminding me how powerful the gift of gratitude is.

[Fuzzybear]

I’m grateful to a kind friend and for this thread

[MickeyCheeky]

Thank you so much for this thread, HopefullyLost1211 I'm grateful for my life and for all the wonderful peopl here on PC. Sending many hugs to everyone

[SlumberKitty]

1. My faith which gets me through a lot of bad times.
2. My kitties and my puppy.
3. My friends and family.
4. My job.
5. PC.

I'm grateful for the hot shower, for the kind cashier that had a smile, for the solitude at this moment.

Originally Posted by raging vortex

sure.... today I am greatful for:

1. a warm breakfast

2. clean clothes

3. being in less pain than yesterday

4. christmas music

5. this thread which is an awsom idea

Thank you for sharing your gratitude, RagingVortex!

Originally Posted by Thirty shades

I am grateful to you HopefullyLost1211.

Thank you for reminding me how powerful the gift of gratitude is.

I am grateful for you too, Thirty Shades! Here's a bear-hug for you!

1.

getting all my shopping done

2. 2 warm meals

3. cold weather

4. christmas music

5. it's friday!

[GLMS]

Grateful for:

The fact I'm enjoying the holiday preparations, so many years that wasn't the case.

That I have plenty of food in the cupboards/freezer.

I have a roof over my head and a warm home.

It's the weekend and hubby is home.

Happy I found this forum

1. that it's warm inside (despite raining outside)

2. that today passed pretty quickly (with no drama)

3. my chocolate advent calendars which are sooo tasty

4. staying hydrated

5. bacon for breakfast

Today I am grateful that the sun is shining and I am able to go hiking!

[Monticello]

I am grateful that my grown up son remembered a family joke from childhood and responded appropriately via text today - made my day!
It's good to remember the little things that perk up life, too. I'll keep going with this.

I am greatful for coca cola

so tasty

I am grateful for the kind folks on PC who send thoughtful messages and hugs. I LOVE hugs!

nail paint.

ooo yay my nails are now gold with glitter!