Tell Me Something Good!
We all do it from time to time. It’s easy to focus in on everything that didn’t go right in a day – the chores that took too long, the call you forgot to return or the endless to-do list. But what if, instead of focusing on what went wrong, we ended each day by reflecting on what went right?
This is a practice I started with my children when they were school aged and have rolled it over into my everyday life. The idea behind the “tell me something good” practice is about pausing to appreciate the small moments we might otherwise overlook – the smell of fresh coffee on a rainy morning, hearing your favorite song by chance or a genuine laugh with a friend. The goal isn’t to ignore life’s challenges but to balance them by noticing the good that is already there.
Why Try This Practice
It turns out that taking time to reflect on the good parts of our day can and will make a difference. Studies show that people who focus on positive moments tend to feel happier, less isolated and more connected to others. It’s a simple habit that can help shift our focus, showing us that even on the busiest, most exhausting days, there’s always something worth appreciating. No matter how minute it appeared in the moment.
How to Make Gratitude a Habit
The “tell me something good” practice is easy to start. All you need is a notebook, a pen and a few minutes before bed. Write down at least one thing that made your day a little brighter and try to be specific. Instead of writing “dinner was nice,” try something like, “I loved how comforting the pasta tasted on a cold evening” or “it felt good to cook a meal from scratch.” The more details you include, the more you’ll start to notice good moments as they happen. There is no moment that is too small to note, maybe “the purple butterfly landed atop my bird feeder making me smile” or “I saw children hugging at the park and their innocence made my heart light”.
This practice can also lead to more meaningful conversations. Instead of asking, “How was your day?” try asking, “What’s one good thing that happened today?” This small shift in how we ask questions can open the door to brighter and more uplifting conversations.
This practice is not uncommon to the dedicated team at Siena on Brendenwood. We have begun using the practice of “tell me something good” in our own lives and have found how it has begun to spill out and overflow into our days around our community. Positivity can be contagious- so we encourage you to be the one to spread it!
