Hello and welcome to my podcast, Andrea TLC, in which TLC stands for the Life Coach. I am your host, andrea. Thank you for joining me here today. Today I would like to talk about a fun and meaningful way to practice gratitude, and that is the gratitude jar. It's a simple yet powerful tool that can help you develop a habit of thankfulness and bring more positivity into your life. In our lives, it's easy to overlook the small joys and blessings that surround us, but by actively practicing gratitude, we can shift our focus from what's missing to what's present and wonderful. So today I'm going to guide you through creating and using a gratitude jar, which is a wonderful way to make gratitude a daily practice. So what exactly is a gratitude jar? So a gratitude jar is where you can collect notes of gratitude Each day. You write down something that you're thankful for on a piece of paper and place it in a jar. Over time, this jar becomes a visual and tangible reminder of all good things in your life. Here are five ways you can get started.

Number one choose a jar. Find a jar or container that you like. It can be a mason jar or a decorative box, or even a simple glass jar. The key is to choose something that you'll enjoy looking at and that fits well in your living space and you can decorate it to make it more personal and special. Okay, so what I've done is I've actually taken a pickle jar. Okay, I like, I like pickles. So what I did was I just took a pickle jar and the way to get the labels off, you can take either a heat gun and go over it just a couple of times to loosen up the glue on the other side and it'll peel right off, or just some really, really hot water and do it that way and the label will come off. And so that's really all that I did, okay, and um, I I cleaned it really well with with hot soapy water, I let it dry completely and because you know, I like painting and doing crafty things, so I painted and I made it look really, really pretty and that's how I came up with my jar.

Okay, number two prepare your notes. Gather some paper and pen. You can use colorful sticky notes, cut up a piece of paper or even a small notepad, keep them handy so you can easily jot down your thoughts. Again, the way that I do it is I have those really colorful sticky notes. They're not the real big ones, they're, you know, they're the smaller ones and that's what I use just to jot down little things, little notes to myself, to put inside of my gratitude jar.

Number three set a daily routine. Make it a daily habit to write down at least one thing that you're grateful for, and it can be anything big or small, a person or an experience, a moment, or even something as simple as a good cup of coffee from your favorite coffee place. Okay, the important thing is to make it a consistent practice. Find time that works best for you, whether it's in the morning, before bed or during a break, anytime in your day. Number four place the notes in the jar. After writing your notes, fold it up and place it in the jar. As the days go by, you'll see the jar filling up with positive thoughts and blessings. This visual representation of your gratitude can be incredibly uplifting.

Number five Reflect and revisit so periodically. Take some time to go through the notes in your gratitude jar. You might do this at the end of each month or on a special occasions, whenever you need a boost of positivity. Reflecting on your notes can remind you of all the things in your life and reinforce your gratitude practice. Now let's talk about five benefits of using the gratitude jar. So number one would be increased positivity. Writing down what you're grateful for can shift your focus to positive aspects of your life. This simple act can enhance your mood and overall outlook, making you more aware of the good things around you.

Number two improved mental health. Regularly practicing gratitude has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, boost happiness and improve overall mental well-being. The gratitude jar can be a powerful tool in fostering a positive mindset and emotional resilience and emotional resilience. Number three strengthened relationships. By acknowledging the people and experiences you're grateful for, you naturally strengthen your connection with others. Expressing gratitude can enhance your relationship and create deeper sense of appreciation and understanding.

Number four mindfulness and presence. Taking a moment each day to reflect on your blessings encourages mindfulness and helps you stay present. It's a gentle reminder to slow down and appreciate the beauty and goodness in your everyday life. And number five is a tangible reminder. The physical presence of the gratitude jar serves as a constant reminder of the positive in your life. Positive in your life. On challenging days, seeing the jar filled with notes can provide comfort and encouragement. So starting a gratitude jar is a simple yet impactful way to bring more gratitude into your life. It's a practice that can be done individually or with family and friends. You might even encourage your loved ones to start their own gratitude jar and share their experiences with you. Thank you for joining me here on Andra TLC. I hope you found these insights and tips helpful on this journey of gratitude. So keep practicing gratitude and remember every small blessing counts Until next time. Peace, love and light.