I believe people are inherently good. I believe most of us strive to be kinder and more compassionate versions of ourselves. The reality though is life can get hard, and with all life’s stress and overwhelm, it’s sometimes challenging to stay optimistic and grateful. So, how do we get back on track to being our authentically loving selves? Well, we make an effort, time and time again, to express gratitude.

Gratitude helps us feel happier, more positive, and more satisfied with our lives.

Besides the personal benefits, being grateful can also positively affect our relationships and those around us.

With the holiday season in full swing, it’s common to see reminders of the importance of gratitude everywhere. And that’s a good thing! It’s okay to be reminded. We’re not perfect, and we shouldn’t be so hard on ourselves if we haven’t been living up to our full potential lately.

The truth is, there is no better time than the present to bring out that grateful heart of yours.

And the good news is you can express gratitude in simple ways. In the spirit of giving back, here’s a 14 Day Gratitude Challenge to get you started. Each day comes with a simple act of gratitude that will leave a positive impact on you and the world around you. You can also sign up to receive our 14 Days of Gratitude prefilled printable, plus a blank template to create your own next 14 days. Happy Giving-Back, My Grateful Friends! <3

Related: 23 Thought-provoking Quotes About Gratitude

14 Days of Gratitude Challenge:

Day 1:  Write a Thank You note to someone who has helped you out recently.

Day 2:  Reach out to someone who may be struggling and offer practical or emotional support.

Day 3:  Clean out your closet and donate your unused clothing to a local charity.

Day 4:  Cook or bake something for someone you care about

Day 5:  Volunteer at your local homeless shelter or soup kitchen.

Day 6:  Take a friend out to brunch, lunch, or dinner.

Day 7:  Donate items to your local food bank.

Day 8:  Visit sick and/or elderly patients at your local hospital/nursing home to help brighten their day.

Day 9:  Spend time with a loved one and express how much they mean to you.

Day 10:  Give a large tip to someone who served you well, such as a waitress, taxi driver, etc.

Day 11:  Buy flowers for someone special in your life.

Day 12:  Leave a positive review online for a business that served you well.

Day 13:  Compliment a stranger to help brighten their day.

Day 14:  Offer to help out more at work, school, or home.

Related: 12 Simple Ways to Practice Gratitude

Grab the printable version of this 14 Days of Gratitude Challenge below!