Now, now, hear me out, the idea of creating a hate gratitude journal came to me when I was in session with a client. They’d gone through a major health experience a year ago and were at the anniversary of this experience. The idea came to them to do a gratitude journal, but then there were so many things they hated about all the changes to their body and mind had gone through. Why not have a hate gratitude journal?
How refreshing to write out all the things that one hates and have gratitude for the ability to admit and acknowledge these things. It doesn’t mean there’s a need to hold onto any of them. If anything, by not letting these thoughts out, aren’t we actually holding onto them? Keeping them in the shadows? Why? How does that serve anyone?
So, I took the time one morning, and typed out all the things I hate and I found it actually quite liberating. Admitting to myself of the thoughts, feelings, emotions that I am carrying within me. I may not do it every day, however, I think I’m going to do it weekly. See what gets stored in my body and mind and let it out to release. I want to create space for more lightheartedness.
Maybe hate is too strong of a word for you, what if you use instead, Irritation Gratitude Journal, or Disapprove Gratitude Journal, or Judgement Gratitude Journal. Giving yourself permission to acknowledge these thoughts, I believe, gives you permission to hold onto, heal or release them.
I encourage you to ponder this idea, you may just find yourself feeling a freedom you haven’t felt in quite some time!
