Welcome to Day 27 of the Wellbeing 9-a-Day blog! Over the past couple of days, I have taken a closer look at Exercising and Learning, the first two habits contained with Your Fitness. In today’s blog, I write about how I have approached Appreciating and being grateful for the good things in my life.
Finding Things to Appreciate
In many ways, Appreciating is one of the easiest habits to adopt in the Wellbeing 9-a-Day. All it takes is a minute to think about the positive things in your life and make a quick note about the things you are grateful for.
However, just because it might be considered easier, it doesn’t mean that you should take it for granted.
When I first started developing The Wellbeing 9-a-Day Journal, I got into the habit of appreciating the same things every day. Before long, it got to the point where I would fill in my Appreciating box first thing in the morning without giving it a second thought.
It wasn’t that I didn’t appreciate the things I was writing down, but I found myself going through the motions. I was getting a quick tick without the benefits of appreciating the things I loved.
That’s why I have changed the way I approach Appreciating. Each day, I appreciate one thing that I have been grateful for, and one thing that I have not written before. This helps me shine a light on one of the things I love every day, while reminding me to think of something else too.
Chongo
You can always find something to appreciate, even if it might be difficult at times.
One of the great things about this is that you can even create things that you are grateful for every day.
Before I changed my approach, 95% of my Appreciating entries were my girlfriend, Chongo, or Troika. Chongo is a very handsome plushie I gave to my girlfriend at the start of the pandemic, and Troika is the relationship the three of us have together.
During the lockdown and subsequent restrictions, it was difficult to be separated from Jervie and spend so much time apart. Chongo was able to act as a bridge between us during that time, and he began to have his own personality.
He’s been with us for just under three years now, and I can honestly say I can’t imagine life without him now. He makes the good times better and helps us come back together during arguments. A few months ago, he even co-wrote his first book, Big Chongo and Little Chongo.
You don’t need to build a character around a plushie to find something to appreciate every day. Whether family, friends, or food, you can shine a light on the things you appreciate and increase your emotional fitness, day by day.
Call to Action!
Close your eyes and take a minute to think of as many things you appreciate as possible. These can be anything, from a cup of tea to the person who saved your life. As soon as you have thought of something, change your focus to the next thing, and the next, and the next. When you stop and think about it, it is amazing how many things you can be grateful for.
This blog was written as part of a 90-day blog writing fundraiser for Live Well with Cancer, a volunteer-led charity serving North Tyneside and the surrounding areas. If you enjoyed this blog, please show your appreciation by donating to my JustGiving page. Every penny raised from donations or sales of the journal will help deliver workshops, events and support groups that empower better health and wellbeing for those affected by cancer, including family, friends, carers, and healthcare workers.
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