Boost your own wellbeing and nurture your relationship with another person by writing a gratitude letter.
What you’ll need: A piece of paper or card, coloured pens or pencils
What’s it for?
This letter writing activity can both make you happier and nurture your relationship with another person. It can boost your own wellbeing and show your gratitude to someone else.
Check In:
Notice how you’re feeling right now. Close your eyes and notice what’s going on inside your mind and body.
How are you feeling
What are you thinking?
How does your body feel?
Method:
Spend a moment thinking carefully about an important person for you who has had a big and good influence on your life.
Write them a letter or postcard telling them why they are so important to you, and why they have had such a great impact on your life.
Thank them for being in your life.
You can decorate the letter or postcard with pictures, if you’d like to.
When it’s finished, arrange to see or speak to the person (you could do this online, or by phone) and read and show them your letter or postcard.
If you can’t see them, send the letter or postcard.
Extra Activity: Try to make this a regular activity, and thank other important people in your life.
When you’ve finished and delivered your thank you letter, spend a moment reflecting on the whole experience and ask yourself the following questions:
How did it feel writing the letter and thinking about your important person?
How did it feel reading the letter or postcard to your important person?
How do you think it made them feel?
Was it easy or difficult to think of things to write?
Was it easy or difficult to think of a person?
Conclusion:
This is a classic positive psychology exercise. It helps you to appreciate what you have in your life and gives you a sense of control over how to nurture important relationships.
Take a moment to notice how you are feeling at the end of this activity. Did you discover anything surprising? What can you take away to make you feel better about yourself from this activity?
If you would like to, share something about your experience with this activity with someone you live with! Ask the person who looks after you to send us an email if you have any questions or comments about the activity, or would like to send us any pictures (info@catcorner.co.uk). Don't forget to subscribe for more fun CAT activities!
Created by Ian Grundy © March 2020
Creative Arts Used: Art & Creative Writing
Psychological Areas Explored: Relationships, Emotional Wellbeing
References:
This activity was taken from:
Seligman, M. E. P. (2011): Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. USA: Free Press
These activities could be done by children of all ages, but some may need the support of their parent or carer to read the instructions or complete the activity safely.
This website was made by CAT Corner to help you explore your feelings through fun creative arts activities. The people using the website and the people responsible for them need to make sure they stay safe (full disclaimer on About page).
Comments