March can be a hard month for a lot of people. It’s often cold and snowy in many parts of the country, and folks begin to wonder if winter will ever end. The joy of the major holidays has long passed, and it can start to feel like a waiting game for the greener, warmer, more colorful months on the horizon. This is why we’ve deemed March “Self Care Month” here at Mason Jar Lifestyle. We’ve already shared ideas on home spa days and comfort foods to raise your spirits. Today, we’re talking about gratitude.
Here in Colorado, we see the most snow in March. On the bright side, that does mean more skiing, sledding, and snowshoeing! That said, we’re going to keep this post all about the bright side.
When the going gets tough, it’s easy to focus on the negative. And sometimes, that’s totally ok – everyone needs time to process difficult things. But when you’re ready to shift gears, it can be so helpful to look at everything we have to be grateful for, and that’s where Gratitude Jars come in.
The benefits of journaling and writing down our feelings are well known.
It can help us shift from a negative mindset to a more positive one, especially about ourselves.
While daily journaling is great, not everyone has time to write a full entry every day. However, I bet everyone has 30 seconds to take a slip of paper, write down one thing they’re grateful for, and drop it in a jar!
Since the goal is to keep your gratitude jar on display to remind yourself every day that you have much to be grateful for, I recommend adding a fun lid to the top. (We have a number of
adorable decorative lids, as well as slot lids, that would work perfectly). As the pieces of paper accumulate in the jar, you’ll walk past it and be reminded that each piece represents something for which you’re grateful. Additionally, you can open the jar whenever you need a boost and read through previous days’ notes. You’ll be amazed by how much gratitude you can find, even on the hardest days.
I challenge everyone to start a Gratitude Jar with me, and, if you’re so inclined, please share a piece of gratitude in the comment section below!
Don’t forget, we love to hang out with you on these long, cold days! Find us on social media and chat with us over some Mason jar tea. We LOVE to hear from you! Join the conversations going on right now on our Facebook business page, Mason Jar Lifestyle, or Facebook group, Living The Mason Jar Lifestyle! We are also on Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube. Looking forward to connecting with you soon!
3 thoughts on “Jars of Joy: Gratitude Every Day”
I am so grateful for this old house, with a half finished roof, mice inside and a skunk outside,. I’m grateful for the view of the river; the songs of the birds; the garden and all of its gifts. I’m grateful for everyone and for every breath I have the privilege of taking.
Your column hit the spot. It’s been a week with more negative than positive but that’s because I haven’t been focusing on the positive. Started my gratitude jar tonight. Thanks!
I am grateful that I have two days off in a row, three out of four weeks a month! Saturdays are usually easier days for me – I relax more and tend to do less housework and boring-but-needed chores. Sundays I gear up for the week ahead, and tend to feel like I’m resetting my attitude and outlook. Thanks, MJL!