It sounds easy. So easy it’s now a common refrain: be grateful.

But how many of us practice true gratitude in our daily lives. Over the past few months, I’ve been yearning for a more established gratitude practice. Why? Because I tend to get so caught up in every day minutiae and stressors I forget to slow down and be thankful for what I’ve accomplished and the beautiful people whom I deeply value.

But what does this actually look like? This isn’t the first time I’ve took this on. I tried a gratitude journal, meditation, and even moon water. Yet, I inevitably abandon all my hopes for good feeling and it’s back to my unexamineed life. But finally — with the help of The Nue Co.— I’ve established a solid gratitude ritual that works — so far!

Here’s how:

Start with the why.

For a long time, I thought I ought to be more grateful for the things I have because it’s the right thing to do. And yes, other people have less than me. And yes, nothing I have is a given. But these cliches, while true, didn’t strike a chord of humility and thankfulness within me. Therefore, with this flimsy motivation, my gratitude practices soon gave way to grumpy .

However, recently, Rolling Stone published a piece about gratitude by a former addict. While this might seem too extreme to be relatable, it’s both pointed and poignant enough to change my perspective.

I always imagined gratitude as a feeling. A state of being. That one day I’d just be grateful and that would be that. But I discovered that, like anything, it’s a practice. One that takes reflection, time, and action. Creating a ritual for gratitude can be rewarding, but only if you dedicate yourself to the ritual.

You can form a ritual with anything. The small moments that make up our days can be ritualistic, mostly because we aren’t intentional about the why. Instead of prioritizing our values, we reach for whatever is easiest — and that becomes our life.

“The daily rituals many of us tend to adopt revolve around fueling up with caffeine and going to work and then winding down after work with the latest show (and likely some alcohol). Instead of enjoying those rituals with others, we grab a coffee from the drive-through and finish a bottle of wine over the latest bingeable show on Netflix.” Chris Shembra writes.

“Instead of enjoying those rituals with others, we grab a coffee from the drive-through and finish a bottle of wine over the latest bingeable show on Netflix,”

The unimportant things become all-important. Getting intentional about them, and looking to them for inspiration can change your life.

“But building those rituals pro-socially is worth the effort. It doesn’t just connect you to the people who share your identity; it cultivates deep and meaningful relationships with people who come from all walks of life”

“Take a friend or colleague with you on your daily coffee run. Tell them why you’re glad they’re in your life. Do it early and often.”

Starting small is the key to building any habit. On the one hand, it’s easier to manage. On the other, it makes it easier to stack. Start with one habit. Make it a routine. Then add another that you perform each time you do the first. Then another. And more and more and more. Soon enough, you’ll have a stacked set of rituals that feel like second nature.

When it comes to making gratitude a habit, again, ask yourself why. For me, I realized I wanted to be more intentional about the choices I make. To make good choices, I start from a place of appreciation for the life I already have, and remember that anything extra is a privilege. Instead of coming from a place of scarcity, I want all my decisions — from the things I buy to the people I spend time with — to come from a place of abundance. Of true gratitude.

To start my practice, I aimed for something as holistic as my goals — something that encompasses my entire wellbeing. First of all, I’m grateful for my body and the life it allows me to live. Then ground myself in the present physical world rather than staying stuck in my head.

There are so many ways to ground yourself — yoga, deep breathing, exercise. I chose habit-stacking products by The Nue Co.

The Nue Co.is a top player in the self-care industry, providing supplements and topicals that use sustainably sourced ingredients rooted in science. The Nue Co. are there for those who are mindful of their health, not defined by it. Each specific supplement I take and action I perform helps me focus on a different aspect of my life, body, and health.

Focusing on centering myself is integral to a gratitude practice that I can actually implement. I already take supplements, take morning showers, and drink water. Why not maximize these moments and make my life more intentional?

Take Deep Breaths

To start my day with intention, I take ten deep breaths. I make sure to do deep abdominal breaths and feel all of my body as I fill it with air. This practice instantly slows me down, and makes be fully present in the moment. Before my deep breathing exercise. I spray Magnesium Ease over my body. The lavender uses aromatherapy to promote calmness while the magnesium relaxes my body.

Get Some Sun

I don’t like to put pressure on myself to workout. However, getting some movement in makes me feel energized and grateful. Plus, when the weather is good, taking a walk with the sun on my face is the best feeling thanks to Vitamin D. This daily routine gives me time to clear my head and focus any excess energy. I also spritz Vitam D Spray for extra vitamin benefits.

Wash Your Face

​This barrier culture cleanser has revolutionized my approach to skincare. Instead of seeing it as a chore, I luxuriate in the moment. This Barrier Culture Cleanser promotes long-term skin health to restore and protect your barrier, making this quick ritual an investment in the future me.

Drink Water

As I hydrate and ready myself for the day, I take the Prebiotic + Probiotic Supplements to nourish my body with the nutrients it needs. By taking care of myself, I can turn my attention outward to others in the day ahead.

Get Enough Sleep

The practice of gratitude is not just limited to mornings. Before I hit the pillow, I close my eyes and think of three things I’m grateful for. So much better than just letting the mind race. It helps me doze off in the way I want to start my next morning. These sleep drops help me drift off naturally and enjoy night after night of restful, restorative sleep.