The 15th Annual Gratitude Challenge!
It’s nearly November, which means it’s time for the (15th!) Annual Positively Present Gratitude Challenge! I love focusing on gratitude throughout November as it’s often a hectic month and doing this Challenge helps me slow down and focus on what I’m thankful for. This year’s Challenge is loosely themed around my new coloring journal, The Story of You. You don’t need to have the book to participate, but the journal is another great tool for helping you to focus on what matters most. If you’re new to the Challenge, details (as well as info on each prompt) are below:
THE CHALLENGE DETAILS
“Challenge” is just a word.
The goal is to focus on (and share, if you’d like!) a specific theme every day as a way to practice more gratitude. Feel free to get creative with the Challenge. You can make up your own prompts (I’ve done this for 15 years so there are lots to choose from in the archives!), do the prompts in a different order, etc. Gratitude is the only point so do whatever works for you!
Join in at any time.
You can start the challenge on November 1, as I will, and do it for the whole month, or you can start the challenge any time that works for you and follow along at your own pace. I see people discovering and partaking in the Challenge all year, so don’t feel limited to the 30 days of November! And don’t feel like you have to rush or you’ll get behind. The goal is gratitude, not stress, so make it fun for yourself!
Use the hashtag #Gratitude30.
If you share your pics on Pinterest, Instagram, X, Facebook, etc., tag them with #Gratitude30 if you’d like me and others to see them. Click on the hashtag on any platform, and you’ll be able to see how others interpret the prompts every day. Because this hashtag has been used for well over a decade, there’s lots of inspiration to explore!
THE 2025 PROMPTS…
As a reminder, these are just the prompts I came up with for this year. Feel free to make your own, do them in a different order, or use prompts from previous Challenges if these don’t resonate with you!
DAY 1: Your Favorite Story
For the first day of the Challenge, focus your attention on a story you really love. This can be a story in your life that you love hearing or telling. This can be a childhood story that brings you comfort or a book you recently fell in love with. Whatever comes to mind when you think of the word “story” is what you should focus on today!
DAY 2: Clothing You Love To Wear
Today’s goal is to appreciate the clothing you wear. What’s your favorite outfit? What do you wear most often? What makes you feel like your best self? Or, what item(s) of clothing have special meaning for you? Whatever question you want to reflect on today, take your pick and turn your gratitude to the fabrics that clothe you.
DAY 3: Emotions You Feel Frequently
Reflect on your emotions today, particularly the ones you feel frequently. I’m a person of high highs and low lows so my emotional state can very greatly, but there are definitely some feelings I feel more often than others. Today, give your attention to variety of emotions you feel and take special notice of the ones you experience most often.
DAY 4: A Color You Enjoy Seeing
For today’s prompt, focus on color, particularly a color you really enjoy seeing. My favorite color’s orange, and whenever I see it, it brightens my mood. What colors do you enjoy seeing? Why do you enjoy them? Maybe you associate them with positive experiences, or maybe you just like them! Whatever the reason, celebrate your favorite colors today.
DAY 5: What You Find Comforting
Comfort is essential for getting us through difficult times. Consider, today, what you find to be comforting. When you’re in need of comfort, what’s your go-to activity? Who do you turn to? Are there specific objects, scents, songs, etc. that bring you comfort? Focus on being grateful for the comfort these things give you.
DAY 6: The Best Season Of The Year
If you had to pick one season to live in always, which one would be it? Today’s the day to think about your favorite season and what you love about it. How do you feel during this season? What do you do differently? What do you wear or eat or experience? If it’s not currently that season, try to bring a bit of that time of year into your life today.
DAY 7: Songs You Love To Listen To
Today’s focus is on celebrating all of the songs you love to listen to! What songs do you listen to most often? What songs do you classify as “forever favorites?” If you can, make a playlist of your favorite songs and listen to them on repeat today as you appreciate their impact on your life. (Also, take a moment to reflect on all of the people who worked hard to make those songs exist!)
DAY 8: Activities You Have Fun Doing
Turn your gratitude toward activities you enjoy doing. If you had time to do whatever you wanted today, what would you do? What are the activities that you do frequently that you have a lot of fun doing? If possible, try to do something fun today and allow yourself to truly appreciate how nice it is to have fun.
DAY 9: Friends You’re Lucky To Have
Celebrate the joy of friendship with today’s prompt. Who are you most thankful for when it comes to friendship? Use to today as a reminder to reflect on the power and joy of friendship and how much it positively impacts your life. (Also, take a moment to tell your friends how much you love them today!)
DAY 10: Animals That Make You Smile
What animal(s) bring a smile to your face? These can be animals you live with, animals you see frequently, or just animals that you like for whatever reason. Use today’s prompt to consider the ways animals can inspire, uplift, and transform you, and focus on the impact animals have had in your life and the lives of others.
DAY 11: A Time You Were Fearless
Today, appreciate a time that you were fearless. You might think you’re not the fearless type, but everyone is fearless in their own way. Every one of us has had to be brave at some point. You are so much braver than you know, so use today’s prompt to reflect on a time that you acted bravely (even if you felt very scared while doing it!).
DAY 12: What (Or Who) Uplifts You
Who are the people that lift you up when you’re feeling down? These can be people you know in real life or people who inspire you online or through other forms of media. Whether it’s a character in a book or a friend you’ve had all your life, we all have people who help raise our spirits, and today’s the day to be grateful for them!
DAY 13: An Act of True Kindness
November 13 is World Kindness Day! Celebrate the day by appreciating the kindness you’ve given and received throughout your life. Look back on the kind acts that have given you hope and happiness. Think about the ways you aim to be kind to others. And, if possible, commit a random act of kindness today.
DAY 14: What You Are Proud Of
What are you most proud of? This doesn’t have to be anything major. Sometimes the smallest choices or actions can fill us with a sense of pride. Whether you’re focusing on something big or small today, make sure you take time out of your day to consider how far you’ve come and what you’ve already accomplished. Be proud of yourself!
DAY 15: Your Favorite Memories
What are you favorite memories? Spend time today revisiting some of the memories that matter most to you, particularly those that bring a smile to your face. If possible, share the memory with someone you care about — either someone who was involved in it or just someone who would enjoy hearing you recollect on the positive aspects of the past.
DAY 16: A Book That Made You Think
Books are magical, in that they can take us to places we’ve never been and make us think about life in entirely new ways. Today, think about some of the best books you’ve read and how they’ve impacted the way you see the world. If you have time, consider re-reading one of your old favorites today and see how you think about it now!
DAY 17: What You Love About Nature
Nature is an incredible force, and we are lucky to be a part of it. Even if, like me, you’re not an outdoorsy person, there’s likely something you really enjoy about nature. The plants, animals, and seasons. The clouds, stars, and sky. There are so many aspects of nature to be appreciative of, and today’s the day to give them your attention!
DAY 18: Tasks That Bring You Joy
Today, appreciate all of the little tasks that bring you joy. These can be anything — maybe it’s the way water feels while washing your hands or the satisfaction you get when you restock the refrigerator or maybe it’s the orderly way you make a to-do list each day — but whatever they are, make sure that you take time to notice and appreciate them today.
DAY 19: Lessons You’ve Learned
Life loves to teach, and whether you consider yourself a lifelong learner or not, you’re always being taught new life lessons. What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned? If you could give someone younger than you one piece of advice, what would it be? Reflect on those lessons today and be thankful for the ways they’ve changed your life.
DAY 20: Where You Find Beauty
Beauty is everywhere, but it’s subjective. What do you find beautiful? Do you often see beauty in people, in nature, in art? Pay attention, today, to the places you notice beauty the most. As you notice where you find beauty, give your gratitude to the things/people/etc. that you find most beautiful, as these are the things that brighten your world.
DAY 21: What Makes You Laugh
Laughing is one of my all-time favorite activities, and I bet you enjoy it, too! What is something that never fails to make you laugh? Maybe it’s a memory or a film or a silly podcasting duo. Maybe it’s your puppy or your best friend or the girl at work always cracking jokes. Regardless of what it is, make time to appreciate laughter today. (And try your best to find reasons to laugh!)
DAY 22: A Place You Feel At Home
Where do you feel most at home? This can be the place where you live now, your childhood home, a country where you grew up, or even a person who feels like home to you. It could also just be a place where you feel comfortable and at ease. Wherever home is for you, use this prompt to reflect on how thankful you are to feel at home.
DAY 23: Love Given or Received
Love is a small word for such an enormous concept. We can love so many people and things and experiences in so many different ways. Today, reflect on the love you’ve given and received. Celebrate the love you have in your life now as well as love you’ve experienced in the past. If possible, do something to show someone love today (and that “someone” can be you!).
DAY 24: Art That Inspires You
Art is one of the driving forces in my life, and I can’t fathom my existence without it. Whether you feel the same as me or art is just something you encounter sporadically, turn your attention to art of all kinds today and appreciate the ways it can evoke emotion. If you have a favorite artist, take some time to reflect on the work that went into their art and appreciate its beauty.
DAY 25: A Film You Enjoy Watching
Today, consider how many films you’ve seen over the course of your life and which ones have stuck with you. I’m no film buff, but there are many movies that have made a lasting impact on me. Are there films you watch over and over again? Movies you’ve seen only once but think about often? Use today’s prompt as an opportunity to reflect the magic of movies.
DAY 26: The Best Kind of Weather
What’s the best kind of weather, according to you? Do you love a bright, sunny day with cloudless skies? Or would you prefer an overcast, rainy day? You don’t have to choose one kind of weather — just use this prompt as a guide to think about the weather you enjoy most and be grateful for all of the various kinds of weather that bring variety into our lives!
DAY 27: Your Favorite Food to Eat
If you could eat anything right now, what would it be? Use today’s prompt to think about the food you enjoy eating. Whether you focus on the foods you eat often or those treats that you save for special occasions, allow today’s prompt to encourage your appreciation of the food you eat and celebrate the experience of eating what you love.
DAY 28: Wisdom That Resonates
Words of wisdom are wonderful, and today’s the day we’re going to give them our attention and gratitude. What are some of the wisest words you’ve ever read or heard? Have you come up with any words of wisdom on your own? Use this prompt to be thankful for all of the wisdom that’s been learned and shared throughout your life.
DAY 29: A Goal You’re Working on
Today, appreciate a goal you’re currently working on. This can be a habit you’re trying to break, a lifelong dream you’re working to achieve, or whatever else you’re currently working on. It doesn’t have to be anything big! Having a goal, even a small one, can have a great impact on you, so take time to appreciate it today.
DAY 30: Reasons You Love Yourself
On the final day of the gratitude challenge, focus on the reasons you love yourself. Remind yourself of all your wonderful traits. You bring good things into the world just by being yourself, and today’s the day to celebrate that. Spend time today, if you can, making a list of all of the reasons you’re grateful to be who you are.