Why should I have a gratitude partner?

Great question. To clarify, a gratitude partner is someone you send your gratitude notes to on a regular basis. I send mine daily, but there’s no strict rule - it’s more about consistency than frequency.

Does it have to be someone you know?
Not at all. In fact, I think it’s possibly better if you don’t know them. Gratitude journaling is primarily for your own benefit, and if you were writing to a friend, you might tailor your notes to their interests, or what you have in common. That could turn the exercise into a conversation rather than a practice of reflection. For me, it feels freeing to send my notes “into the ether” without worrying about how they’ll be received.

That said, I’m aware my notes would probably be a little different if I were writing them purely in private. There are certain things I tend to avoid like topics that would need lots of explanation.

So if it’s not really about the other person, what’s the point of having a gratitude partner?
In one word: accountability. I honestly don’t think I would have kept up my journaling for more than five years without my gratitude partner. Strangely enough, not knowing them very well makes me feel even more committed. If I stopped sending my notes, I’d feel like I was letting them down. The practice is for me, but part of the ritual is also about showing up for another person, which feels like a good thing to do.

Are there other approaches? Why not just post online for everyone to read?
Because it’s different. I’ve never been a huge fan of posting on social media, and for me, gratitude notes aren’t about broadcasting. I don’t have to worry about audiences, likes, or privacy risks. There’s no pressure to make my life look Instagram-worthy. It’s simply about being honest in the moment and what I’m grateful for that day.

Today I was grateful for cosy blankets. For me, it’s nearly always about the small things in life.