Do Gratitude Journals Really Help? Our editor tried one

I’m no expert on happiness, but I do know a thing or two about self-care and how smallest habits can improve your mental and emotional well-being. Over the years, I’ve spent countless hours buried in self-help books and taking advice from the world’s most influential people on how to improve the quality of my life. “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert, “Outlive” by Peter Attia and Bill Gifford, and “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron remain some of my all-time favorites.

The common theme in many of my most-read (and re-read!) self-help guides is about the art of mindfulness—knowing not only when to slow down and take stock of all the goodness around you, but also how to be more mindful. change your life positively, beyond just your attitude. Journaling is one such way to incorporate more mindfulness into your everyday life, and this Seasonal magazines Everyday Positive Journal ($35) has been a personal game changer and helped me make a regular habit out of it.

Going forward, I describe what sets this product apart from others gratitude journals — including how I use it in my daily routine, what it contains and who would benefit most from investing in it self-care essential.

What is a Daily Gratitude Journal?

As the name suggests, a daily gratitude journal is a tool you can use (spoiler!) every day to log your thoughts, manifestations, and prayers, with guided prompts that encourage you to be more mindful. Although gratitude journals vary in format, they are all designed to help you develop more consistent journaling, while providing space to practice positivity and gratitude each day.

A 2020 research study promoted by UCLA Health found that practicing gratitude for 15 minutes a day, five days a week for six weeks improved participants’ mental well-being, and one of PS’s own contributors previously reported benefits of using a gratitude journal for anxiety.

What I like about this everyday positive journal

You’d think that someone who writes for a living would be better at journaling regularly, but unfortunately, it’s actually the opposite. Beyond filling out my daily planner, I’ve always struggled to implement a journaling routine that sticks. But unlike other guided journals, this log doesn’t require a huge time commitment; every day it takes me no more than two to three minutes to fill in what is provided journal promptwhich usually focuses on self-reflection and self-love. With how busy my daily schedule can get, I like that this journal offers a quick way for me to write down my thoughts, without requiring a huge chunk of my morning routine.

I also like that this gratitude journal has changed the way I think about and approach situations. I have a tendency to overanalyze things and make my problems seem bigger than they actually are; chronic main character syndrome, if you will. Although I do not deny the validity of my feelings, it do help put some of my reactions into perspective and remember that the world is actually much bigger than whatever is going on in my daily life. It’s easy to take my blessings for granted or forget how lucky I am.

With this daily gratitude journal, I’ve gotten much better at recognizing the positives in my life, and as a result, I’m able to approach obstacles with a more measured, optimistic perspective. Since incorporating this gratitude journal into my daily routine, my friends—always the sources of serious, tough love—have also acknowledged that I seem more hopeful (even noting that it’s a “refreshing” departure from my usual cynical state). What are friends for, right?

How to use the Positive Everyday Journal

In theory, there’s no right or wrong way to use this gratitude journal—it’s more about incorporating it into your routine in a way that’s functional for your lifestyle. I personally like to use it first thing in the morning when I wake up and then again before I go to bed. Instead of reaching for my phone for a scroll of doom that will upset me, I pull out my gratitude journal. Over time, this has trained my brain to think more positively at the beginning and end of my days.

The questions asked often vary: “How should I show love?” “What will rule my day?” “What happened today?” “What am I thankful for?” It’s simple questions that make me acknowledge even the smallest blessings: the comfort of ice cold water, a soft pillow to lay my head on each night, friends who text me to check in, healthy parents who live just minutes away .

What is worth noting?

Although this journal is designed for daily use, it only contains enough pages for four months (120 days). Unlike a 12-month planner that you can use throughout the year, this journal only has enough daily prompts for a third of it, so you’ll need to purchase additional journals to get you through the year, or consider finding a gratitude journal with enough prompts for all of 2025.

Who is the positive everyday journal best for?

If you’re looking for an easy way to improve your mental well-being and spend more time thinking positively, this journal is a great tool to help you start that habit. It’s modern looking (and looks great on a nightstand or bookshelf), easy to fill out, and only requires two to three minutes of your day, so it’s something even the busiest of individuals can fit into their schedules.

Additional details:

Where is the Everyday Positive Journal available?

This daily newspaper is available for purchase at Seasonal newspapers and Amazon.

Rating:

★★★★

Kyle Warren (she/her) is an award-winning writer, editor and affiliate strategist with more than four years of experience in the publishing industry. She currently works as an assistant editor at PS Shopping and is an expert on all things shopping and fashion. She previously worked with Entertainment Tonight as a style trade writer, and her byline has appeared in publications globally.