The “Everything Hallelujah” Gratitude List for Everyday Joy
If you’ve ever thought about writing a gratitude list but weren’t sure where to start, this post will walk you through how to do it in a way that’s easy, genuine, and powerful enough to shift your perspective.
Writing a gratitude list is a beautiful reminder of the blessings in your life and a powerful tool to lean on during challenging times.
How to Write a Gratitude List
When it comes to creating a gratitude list, the most important thing is to keep it simple. There are no hard and fast rules—but I wanted to share a few gentle tips to get you started:
- Pick a format: Pen and paper, the Notes app on your phone, your journal, or even little cue cards.
- Get specific: Instead of general ideas, focus on small details that make it feel more personal and meaningful. For example, instead of writing something generic like “My husband” write “My husband’s great sense of humour”.
- Start writing: There’s no need to overthink it—just begin writing and let it flow naturally even if it’s just one or two things.
- Simply have fun! This is meant to be a feel-good activity that brings you joy and gives your heart something to smile about.
- 💡Bonus Tip – Make it a habit: Practicing daily gratitude is an easy yet powerful way to start shifting your mindset and negative thinking patterns. So making gratitude part of your regular routine can have a profound impact on your emotional health and wellness.
If you’d like a bit more structure, you can also group your list into categories of what you’re thankful for, such as:
- People (family, friends, co-workers, mentors)
- Little Things That Bring Joy (movie nights, a clean car, sunshine on your face)
- Places (your town, your home, a cozy coffee shop)
- Health & Wellness (your energy, your ability to move, access to medical care)
- Things Often Overlooked (fresh air, running water, a fridge)
- Spirituality/Faith (God, prayer, purpose, inner peace)
- Physical Belongings (your computer, special keepsakes, cozy comforts)
- Nature (the ocean, mountains, flowers)
- Frivolous Fun (funny animal videos, roller coasters, dance parties)
The (Unlikely) Inspiration for My Gratitude List
This is actually my first time writing a formal gratitude list. Usually, I’ll mention a few things I’m thankful for in prayer, or quickly jot notes on my phone when something meaningful pops into my mind.
Recently, like so many people, I was captivated by Justin Bieber’s performance at the Grammys—and even more so by his performances at Coachella this year. I’m definitely older than his usual fan base, but he’s truly won me over.
So, as you can probably guess, the inspiration behind this gratitude list comes from his song “Everything Hallelujah.”
I never expected to be inspired by him, but the song is simple, authentic, yet deeply meaningful—which is probably why it’s been trending everywhere. It’s one bandwagon I don’t mind jumping on… just in my own way here, since I’m not much of a social media person.
Watching him sing it on stage with my girls beside me brought up so much emotion. It made me think about them—and all the small, everyday moments we often take for granted without even realizing it (cue Justin’s wisdom: “brand new day, hallelujah… brush my teeth, hallelujah!”).
Related post: 170 Gratitude Affirmations for More Joy in The Moment
What Does Hallelujah Mean Anyway
Before we jump in, let’s look at what the word hallelujah means. Hallelujah has a long and rich history, but for the purpose of this post, I’ll keep it short. However, if you’re curious one place you can explore is here on Wikipedia’s description of the meaning and history of the word.
Hallelujah comes from Hebrew and is actually made up of two parts: hallel, meaning “to praise,” and yah, is a shortened form of Yahweh (or Jehovah), which are names for God. So put together, it simply means “praise the Lord.” (1 & 2)
In modern-day Christianity, it’s often used as an expression of joy, gratitude, and praise—and that’s exactly how I’m using it in this gratitude list: as a way to acknowledge and celebrate the everyday blessings in life.
My earliest memory of hearing the word hallelujah goes back to church, when my sweet dad would be immersed in worship, singing and repeating it with his whole heart. It’s a memory that has stayed with me and one I will always cherish.
Here’s my “everything hallelujah” gratitude list below, and I hope some of it resonates with you and inspires you to write your own list. It’s an easy way to make a simple and positive life change.
Related post: 3 Ways Gratitude Improves Your Life
Everything Hallelujah: Gratitude List
A gratitude list is a powerful reminder of all the little (and big) things that truly matter and make life feel more special and worthwhile. I’m sharing my list in categories but you can create one however you like.
This specific one will be with a hallelujah at the end of each item which is a way to express my heartfelt thankfulness for everything on the list.
Things Often Overlooked
- Being outside on a beautiful day, hallelujah
- Waking up in the morning, hallelujah
- The air we breath, hallelujah
- Water to drink, hallelujah
- Having a home, hallelujah
- Being able to walk, hallelujah
- Food in the fridge, hallelujah
- Having a washing machine and dryer, hallelujah
- Means to eat three meals a day, hallelujah
- A genuine smile, hallelujah
- Reminiscing with loved ones, hallelujah
- Warm blankets on a winters night, hallelujah
- Getting my hair cut, hallelujah
- Being able to attend church, hallelujah
- Wearing cozy socks, hallelujah
- The weather forecast, hallelujah
- Having a bed, hallelujah
- Clothes to wear, hallelujah
- Having access to medical care, hallelujah
- Getting compliments, hallelujah
- Good school for the kids, hallelujah
- Being able to read, hallelujah
- Getting a massage, hallelujah
- Powerful Bible verses, hallelujah
- Going to the grocery store, hallelujah
- Blood tests for my health, hallelujah
- Freshly folded laundry, hallelujah
- Having air conditioning, hallelujah
- Good conversations, hallelujah
- Someone who loves you, hallelujah
Everything, hallelujah
People I’m Grateful For
- My beautiful daughters, hallelujah
- My amazing husband and best friend, hallelujah
- The best mom and dad (I miss you both), hallelujah
- Caring sister-in-laws, hallelujah
- Supportive friends, hallelujah
- Good neighbours, hallelujah
- Amazing school teachers, hallelujah
- Dedicated family doctors, hallelujah
- Good co-workers, hallelujah
- Supportive brothers, hallelujah
- Kind nurses, hallelujah
- Compassionate and wise Pastor’s, hallelujah
- Long-time family dentists, hallelujah
- Inspiring University professors, hallelujah
- Good listeners, hallelujah
- Mail couriers, hallelujah
- Skilled therapists, hallelujah
- Lovely nieces, hallelujah
- Courageous Police officers, hallelujah
- Loyal blogging friends, hallelujah
- Good father-in-laws, hallelujah
- Hard working cashiers, hallelujah
- Sanitation workers, hallelujah
- Nephews, hallelujah
- Brother-in-laws, hallelujah
- Close cousins, hallelujah
- Home bakers, hallelujah
- Social Workers, hallelujah
- Good bosses, hallelujah
- Kindness of strangers, hallelujah
Everything, hallelujah
Little Things To Be Grateful For
- Beach days, hallelujah
- Watching movies on a sick day, hallelujah
- Family game nights, hallelujah
- Soulful gospel music, hallelujah
- A good hair day, hallelujah
- Comfy blankets, hallelujah
- Long hugs, hallelujah
- Beautiful nature walks, hallelujah
- Fresh sheets, hallelujah
- Finding change in my pocket, hallelujah
- Great sales, hallelujah
- Cinnamon desserts, hallelujah
- Car washes, hallelujah
- Watermelon on a summer day, hallelujah
- Popping bubble wrap, hallelujah
- The weekend, hallelujah
- Mini road trips, hallelujah
- Nostalgic cartoons like the Smurfs, hallelujah
- Skipping rocks, hallelujah
- Pay days, hallelujah
- The smell in a bakery, hallelujah
- Good books, hallelujah
- Walking barefoot in the sand, hallelujah
- Warm chocolate chip cookies, hallelujah
- Fresh strawberries, hallelujah
- Relaxing tea time, hallelujah
- A clean car, hallelujah
- Classic Disney music, hallelujah
- Anything chocolate, hallelujah
- Sunshine on my face, hallelujah
Everything, hallelujah
Nature Gratitude List
- Autumn colours, hallelujah
- Starry skies, hallelujah
- Ocean waves, hallelujah
- Sunny days, hallelujah
- Birds chirping, hallelujah
- Palm trees, hallelujah
- Peaceful streams, hallelujah
- Walks by the lake, hallelujah
- Fresh cut grass, hallelujah
- Evergreen trees, hallelujah
- Colourful flowers, hallelujah
- First snow fall, hallelujah
- Beautiful butterflies, hallelujah
- Smelling roses, hallelujah
- Long hikes, hallelujah
- Intricacy of snowflakes, hallelujah
- Lily pads, hallelujah
- Sound of rain drops, hallelujah
- Botanical gardens, hallelujah
- Falling leaves, hallelujah
- Little ponds, hallelujah
- Collecting sea shells, hallelujah
- Forest hiking, hallelujah
- Sunflowers, hallelujah
- Majestic mountains, hallelujah
- Cute ladybugs, hallelujah
- Blue skies with no clouds, hallelujah
- Cherry blossoms, hallelujah
- Beautiful sunsets, hallelujah
- All the sounds of nature, hallelujah
Everything, hallelujah
Frivolous Fun Gratitude List
- Laughing with friends, hallelujah
- Summer festivals, hallelujah
- Watching fireworks, hallelujah
- Playing with your kids, hallelujah
- Retro 80’s music and memorabilia, hallelujah
- Watching cute panda videos, hallelujah
- Waterparks in the heat, hallelujah
- Inside jokes, hallelujah
- Date nights with your partner, hallelujah
- Solo dance parties, hallelujah
- Great concerts, hallelujah
- Saturdays, hallelujah
- Eating birthday cake, hallelujah
- Flying a kite, hallelujah
- Eating dinner at a restaurant, hallelujah
- Scenic train rides, hallelujah
- Funny text messages, hallelujah
- Babies laughing, hallelujah
- Glow-in-the-dark mini golf, hallelujah
- Playing badminton, hallelujah
- Amusement parks in the summer, hallelujah
- Hilarious memes, hallelujah
- Playing frisbee, hallelujah
- Visiting a farmers market, hallelujah
- Belly ache laughs, hallelujah
- Potlucks, hallelujah
- Free events, hallelujah
- Picnics at the park, hallelujah
- Fun vending machines, hallelujah
- Ice cream anytime, hallelujah
Everything, hallelujah
A Grateful Everything Hallelujah Perspective Truly Changes Everything
It’s amazing how something that seems small—like being more intentional about gratitude—can make such a meaningful difference in your life.
Choosing an “everything hallelujah” perspective, no matter how simple it sounds, is actually a powerful mindset shift that can also help reduce anxiety. It gently moves you from focusing on what’s missing to noticing what’s already good, and that’s where real change begins.
So I’m inviting you to try writing your own gratitude list. Start small—maybe just three things—and let it grow from there. There’s no pressure to make it perfect; just begin.
The key for how to make a gratitude list is to make it a habit, not a one-time exercise. It’s less about writing a single list and more about slowly retraining your mind to notice the good, even on the hard days.
Related post: 125 Things That Make Me Happy & Can Brighten Your Day Too!
References:
1. https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/what-is-the-meaning-of-the-word-hallelujah.html
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallelujah
