10-Minute Journaling Challenge: Cultivate Gratitude & Positivity with “52 Weeks of Love and Gratitude”

The cover image of a YouTube video. The picture features a copy of "52 Weeks of Love and Gratitude" by Lauren McDonagh-Pereira, a cup of coffee, multi-colored pens, and a profile image of the author. Overlay text reads "10-Minute Journaling Challenge"

10-Minute Journaling Challenge: Cultivate Gratitude & Positivity with “52 Weeks of Love and Gratitude”

Introduction

Welcome, everyone, to a new journey of self-discovery and positivity with the “10-Minute Journaling Challenge!” I’m thrilled to introduce you to this transformative series, created to inspire a deeper sense of gratitude, love, and joy in our lives.

My name is Lauren McDonagh-Pereira. I am a school counselor, photographer, author, blogger, and mom

It’s with great pleasure I bring you the first title from my upcoming set of books, “Journey Through Joy: A Gratitude Series” – the gratitude journal titled “52 Weeks of Love and Gratitude: A Journey to a Positive Self.”

This journal, available on Amazon https://amzn.to/3PYKRj5, is more than just a notebook for recording thoughts. It’s a year-long journey designed to immerse you in a weekly practice of gratitude journaling. Each week you’ll be presented with a new prompt about gratitude, love, or joy, accompanied by a black-and-white illustration to inspire and guide your writing.

For those of you who might feel apprehensive about journaling, fear not! There is no right or wrong way to journal.

This is a space for you to express yourself freely – full paragraphs, bullet lists, or even drawings. The goal here is simple: to help you focus on the things in your life that fill you with gratitude and foster a positive mindset for the week.

In this accompanying YouTube video, we’ll embark on our first 10-minute journaling challenge together. I’ll introduce the week’s prompt, set a timer, and start writing my own response, inviting you to do the same.

So, why not grab a copy of “52 Weeks of Love and Gratitude: A Journey to a Positive Self,” (https://amzn.to/3PYKRj5) and join me on this journey?

Let’s embrace gratitude, let’s embrace positivity, and most importantly, let’s embrace ourselves.

Disclaimer

A red stop sign against a blue sky, with a red rocks on either side
ⓒ Lauren McDonagh-Pereira Photography 2013

Before we get into it, please consider a few quick DISCLAIMERS.

  • As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualified purchases. 
  • This is a self-help journal. It does not replace medical mental health care or professional therapy. Please seek appropriate care if you are experiencing a mental health crisis. 
  • Review my Privacy Policy here
A Pinterest Pin. The picture features a copy of "52 Weeks of Love and Gratitude" by Lauren McDonagh-Pereira, a cup of coffee, multi-colored pens, and a profile image of the author. Overlay text reads "10-Minute Journaling Challenge"

Week 1 Prompt

List 5 things you are grateful for today, and explain why.

YouTube Video Script

Welcome to the 10-Minute Journaling Challenge!

Before we get started please subscribe to the channel and give this video a like. 

My name is Lauren McDonagh-Pereira. I have created the first title, in what will be a series of Gratitude Journals, titled “52 Weeks of Love and Gratitude.”

This journal is available to purchase on Amazon. I will drop the link in the comments so that you can grab your own copy and follow along. 

I am a school counselor, a photographer, and a mother of two small children. 

I have a Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling, and I used my experience as a counselor to guide the creation of this gratitude journal. 

“52 Weeks of Love and Gratitude: A Journey to a Positive Self” features my photography on the cover.

I hope that this peaceful image of a sunset at Key West, inspires you to relax and start writing about gratitude. 

This is a self help journal, and it is the first in my upcoming set of books, “Journey Through Joy: A Gratitude Series”. 

This journal contains 52 prompts about gratitude, love, and joy to help you add a gratitude journaling practice into your routine.

Each prompt is paired with a black and white illustration to help inspire and guide you as you write your answers. 

Each prompt is followed by 4-lined pages for you to write your answer. 

I intentionally left space in the margins for brainstorming, doodling, or adding your personal flair. 

Remember, there isn’t a right or wrong way to journal. You can write full paragraphs, you can create a bulleted list, or you can just draw pictures to represent your thoughts and feelings. 

The goal is to get you to slow down, and focus on the things in your life that you are grateful for to help get you into a positive mindset for the week. 

Each week, we will embark on a 10-minute journaling challenge together. I will introduce the week’s prompt, set a timer, and start writing my own response.

My hope is that while I am writing my answer to the prompt, you will do the same. You can keep journaling for more than ten-minutes, but make sure that you are actively thinking or writing about the prompt for a minimum of ten minutes.

I look forward to embarking on this journey with you! So let’s dive right in!

Week 1: “List 5 things you are grateful for today, and explain why. 

I am setting a ten minute time now, so let’s begin!

Conclusion

I hope this introduction to the “10-Minute Journaling Challenge” has piqued your interest and motivated you to embark on your own journey of self-discovery and gratitude. As we journey together over the next 52 weeks, I’m excited to see how we all grow, transform, and find joy in the practice of gratitude journaling.

Now it’s your turn to take action. Join our growing community by heading over to the YouTube video, and while you’re there, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to the channel. Your support helps us reach and inspire more individuals, sharing the transformative power of gratitude.

And lastly, don’t forget to leave a comment on the video. Share your experience with the first journaling challenge or your thoughts on the “52 Weeks of Love and Gratitude” journal. Your feedback and experiences enrich our community and help inspire others.

Remember, the journey to a positive self starts with a single pen stroke. So, grab your journal, your pen, and let’s make these next 52 weeks a transformative journey to a more positive, loving, and grateful self. Happy journaling!

The Science Behind Journaling for Mental Health

A digital poster advertising a self-help gratitude journal. The text reads "Gratitude Journal - Learn how "52 Weeks of Love and Gratitude" can elevate your journaling experience, cultivate positivity, and unlock personal growth." The poster features an image of the front cover of a gratitude journal created by Lauren McDonagh-Pereira

In our digitally-driven world, finding moments of reflection and practicing gratitude has become increasingly important for our overall well-being. One practice that has gained significant recognition and popularity is journaling.

Journaling offers a therapeutic outlet for self-expression, introspection, and gratitude, allowing us to navigate the complexities of our daily lives with more clarity and positivity…

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MEET Lauren McDonagh-Pereira

Lauren McDonagh-Pereira is a photographer from Massachusetts, USA. She captures the beauty of the world around her, favoring Nikon cameras and lenses. She is drawn to shooting landscapes, wildlife, nature, and people authentically enjoying life.