By: Laela Thibault

Guest Columnist

Communication is a very vital skill in the real world. In school, I’m taking a communication class that teaches me everything involved with communicating along with self-confidence and self-worth. A positive of being in this class is that I am able to learn a strategy to improve one’s mental health and physical health which is a gratitude journal.

A gratitude journal is a journal where one focuses on their happiness and writes different things that they are grateful for. Sometimes this can just be done for fun, but it is usually a way to improve self-esteem, improve mental and physical health, and help cope while trying to increase happiness, If you just choose a topic to write about then the rest should be easy. Here is an example:

My topic is: Write about someone who makes your life better

I can not limit myself to one person who makes my life better. I could go on for days and days about everyone who genuinely makes me so happy in my life, but this is based on my friends and my family. In terms of my family, I could not ask for a better support system. There are not enough words to describe how thankful I am to have my family in my life. At my lowest and at my highest, they were always there for me, and they continue to make me the person I am. They have done so much for me, and someday I want to return the favor. I love them so much, and I want nothing but the best for them and what they achieve. I admire their hard work and drive while they still give themselves time to have fun. Our dysfunctional, close relationship proves to me that I rely on them about anything and for that, I am forever grateful. 

In terms of friends, I can’t even express the love I have for them. In person or not, everytime I talk to a friend, it never hesitates to put a smile on my face. If I am ever upset, I know I can count on them to make me laugh or make my day. The friends I have in my life all have one thing in common which is they are all beautiful inside and out. As we grow up, we mature and start to learn who our real friends are. Well I can proudly say that I was given beautiful friends who are literally the sweetest souls, in my opinion. Just like my family, I want nothing but the best for them and they always deserve happiness. My friends are the reason why our adventures, our memories, and our crazy situations will forever be cherished. I love them with all my heart and I am forever grateful for them being in my life. 

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It does not take much to make a gratitude journal. All you have to do is take some time to reflect on things that are good in your life and write it down. It can be good therapy to put yourself in a positive mindset by letting your mind overpower the bad thoughts with the good thoughts.

It may not work for everybody, which is completely okay, but if you like writing, consider doing this strategy to make yourself feel a little better. Also, do not hesitate to tell a friend or family member how grateful you are for them in person.

Writing a gratitude journal is a way to benefit yourself but there is nothing wrong with showing gratitude for someone as well! As long as we keep exercising the brain by finding different healthy ways to cope with something, improve our mental health, and our self-esteem, we can win the battle against the negativity.