start monday with gratitude

Let’s take this week to express thank you to people in your life who have made a difference. Each day we’ll thank someone different in a different way.

Today, think of someone you’re connected to on social media or only via email. So, someone you don’t meet up with in person for whatever reason (perhaps they’ve move away) and you don’t know their home address.

Then think of something they did for you recently or in the past that you’re grateful for. Even if you said “thank you” to them already, write them a message about the situation, expressing your thanks again, and how they impacted your life.

Think of someone who no longer lives close to you but for whom you have an address.

Go out and buy a nice card or postcard, or perhaps you already have one you could use, and write them a note to say thank you and how you appreciate them in your life.

Don’t forget to post the card to them.

Think of a creative activity that you could use to make a simple thank you gift for someone.

If you bake, you could bake cookies or make truffles. If you draw, create a picture. If you are creative with your hands, maybe make a token or a bracelet using objects you find.

Find a way where you can create something yourself and then give it to someone who has done something for you or supported you recently and say “thank you” as you hand it to them.

Take a selfie of you with a smile on your face or get a friend or partner to take a photo of you.

Send the photo of you via email or messenger to someone who makes you smile with a message saying “thank you for making me smile”.

Think of something that someone did for you and put it down in writing. How it made you feel, how glad you are to have them in your life etc.

Only, rather than simply writing it down, write it as a poem.

It doesn’t have to be a long poem. It doesn’t have to rhyme. But spend some time expressing your thanks in a poem and then give that to the person you wrote it about.

Get yourself some coloured thick paper, some string or ribbon, colourful pens, and scissors.

Cut the paper into shapes that resemble labels. Make a hole at one end and knot some string or ribbon.

On the label write a thank you message. It can be personal or something general like “thank you for being you” or “thank you for shining your light”.

You can choose to sign the label or leave it anonymous.

Then spread the labels wherever you choose. You can tie them in places for your family or colleagues to find. Or you can tie them in random places outside for strangers to find.

Time to get digitally creative.

You could use a programme such as powerpoint, canva, or even just word. It doesn’t have to fancy or professional. Just create it with love.

Create a general card that simply says “something like “thank you being you” or “I’m thankful to have you in my life”.

Don’t include a name, except your own.

Make it a general card, suitable for anyone.

Once you’ve created and saved it, send it to as many people as you wish via email or social media. See how many people you can make feel special today.