Surround Yourself with Happiness // A space to stay positive and reflect on the good

I created this gratitude journal after learning how to live with my own anxiety and stress. My whole life I have had anxiety, I have always felt like only the bad things were going to happen and that every negative thing my brain told me was true. I lived with a cloud over my head and I always felt foggy and off center everyday. Finally after my son was born and I was trying to juggle taking care of him and running our business full time. With all of the fears building up of not being able to care for him and give him the attention I wanted him to have and still run my business to the fullest and get everything done with work, I had my first anxiety attack. I wasn't sleeping or eating and I felt like the world was crashing down around me. I went to the doctor and they put me on this pill and that pill. I was still not sleeping, I felt like there was a pit in my stomach everyday and finally I decided the medication was not working and that I needed to be off of everything entirely. I started doing some research on positivity and restructuring thoughts with cognitive restructuring. I went to a therapist I learned how to do deep breathing and mediation exercises and to keep a daily journal so that I could keep the positive aspects of my life on the forefront and not let negative thoughts overtake me. I practiced these things everyday and was very surprised at how fast I started to improve. Things started to become more clear and I was not just concentrating on all the fears and anxiety I had. These elements have become a very important part of getting past my anxiety and negative thoughts. It helped me to grow and to understand how to take care of myself, to turn my thoughts around and focus on the good and stay positive. I still look back on that first journal when I am feeling like my thoughts are getting to me and my anxiety is starting to turn up. I feel this will always be a journey for me. Something that I will always need to work at. But keeping a positivity journal helps to remind me of the good things that are happening in my life, my truths, and the people I am grateful for and all that they do.

That's my story, I hope it will inspire you to turn to positivity and the good in your life. And if you ever have any questions or just need a friend, I am here.

If you are feeling anxiety or worries or just want to record your gratitude and happiness, now is the best time to start journaling. I believe in it 100%. What you think is what you feel and then turn into your reality.

I hope you love this book as much as I do and that it brings you happiness and positivity throughout your year and journey in life.

xoxo,
Jen