Gratitude and thankfulness dominate the month of November and the holiday season in general. Fall decorations have words like “gather,” “thankful,” and “grateful” plastered on pumpkins and pillows. But the holidays are not always the easiest or most enjoyable time for everyone. The period from November to December can be stressful, anxiety-inducing, or even saddening. However, the practice of gratitude is not just limited to the month of November. Practicing gratitude in everyday life can help us to be more present and see the best in our current situation.
The “Three Good Things” method, specifically, is a really easy and simple way to practice gratitude. If you’ve been to the Student Wellness Center recently (3rd floor of Robo!), you might have seen a small notebook that says, “3 Good Things.” Each page provides a space where you can write down three things, big or small, that meet your definition of good. Taking a few minutes out of your day to reflect on the presence of good things in your life can really bring you back to the present moment, and ground you in a very different way of framing your experience. That paper or test looming and haunting you may just leave you alone for a couple of minutes.
So, let’s try it right now. Ground yourself. Maybe, take out a piece of paper and pen to write it down. Or close your eyes. Ready? Let’s think of three good things from today, this week, or whenever.
Here are some guiding questions:
- What is the most recent good food you’ve had?
- Which place that you’ve visited recently has made you feel peaceful?
- What is something that has made you laugh recently?
I wanted to see what our Dartmouth community would include as good things around our campus so I asked around and gathered a list of what people are grateful for right now:
- Walks around Occom Pond
- The harvest dinner
- FOCO cookies
- Mindful coloring
- Crocheting
- Wellbeing playlists
- Going apple picking
- Playing badminton
- Seeing performances at the Hop
- The nice fall weather we’ve been having
- Weekly dinners with floormates
You don’t have to wait for something major to happen to celebrate something good in your life. Making space to remember three good things, in the midst of everything else you have going on can make a world of a difference. Take a deep breath and remember: there is always some good to be found.
Note: want a gratitude journal of your own? Stop by the SWC where they’re available for free! Grab some other wellness swag, get a snack, try our massage chair and/or our sun lamp, and say hi to our team! We are here for you!