This is a great gratitude writing exercise to be done alone or in a group, with people of any age.
How to Play
- Designate someone to read out each prompt below. (Feel free to add your own prompts.)
- After each prompt is read, set a timer for one minute. (With younger kids, this can be shortened. For older folks who want to freewrite meaningfully, more time can be added.)
- Each person freewrites by finishing the sentence and elaborating until the timer goes off. (For little kids, this can be done verbally with an adult recording their answers. Hilarity will ensue.)
- Remeber that freewriting — allowing yourself to write with abandon — enables you to let go, tapping into your subconscious to explore your thoughts more deeply.
- When everyone is done with all the prompts, take turns going through some your answers. Some people may be eager to share. Others may not want to. Respect their decision.
The Prompts
- I'm grateful for... [After you've finished this prompt, repeat it five times. Challenge yourself and others not to repeat a singe word with each new answer.]
- The silliest thing I'm grateful for is...
- The littlest thing I'm grateful for is...
- The biggest thing I'm grateful for is...
- The grossest thing I'm grateful for is...
- One thing I love about myself is...
- My favorite thing that happened this year was...
- My hope for next year is...
This writing exercise has resulted in some sweet answers — and many hilarious ones, too. If you try it out, do let us know.
Write on.
