Join me this week of Thanksgiving . . . as I focus on gratitude.
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”
—G.K. Chesterton
I subscribe to artist/author Austin Kleon‘s weekly newsletter, and recently he shared a little gratitude “mini-zine” he designed for Thanksgiving. (He started making little “zines” as a project during the pandemic; he has other versions available if you’re inspired to see more.) (Also . . . what is a “zine,” you might be asking? Well . . . it’s just a self-published, non-commercial print work produced in small batches. Like a magazine . . . only smaller.)
I thought it looked like a fun gratitude project, so I gave it a try!
Austin has a downloadable version of his gratitude mini-zine available here. The link also includes a short YouTube video that explains how to cut and fold the paper to turn it into a little zine . . . or there is a QR code right on (what will become) the back page of your mini-zine that will also get you to the video.
It’s a pretty easy process. You just download the pdf file, print it, and then cut and fold your way to creating your little gratitude mini-zine. It’s kind of . . . magical . . . the way a simple fold-and-cut situation can turn into a pretty nifty little “zine.” (There is also a version for children. Same link. Just keep scrolling — it’s at the bottom of the page.)
Even if you don’t print out the little mini-zine for yourself, you might be interested in the three gratitude exercises Austin includes within its pages (y’know . . . for your journal or something).
- First, he begins by inviting us to create a simple list of 10 things we’re thankful for.
- Next, he suggests we list 3 people we’re thankful for in our lives, and then to describe what each of those people taught us.
- Last, he provides space for us to list VERBS (not nouns or objects) of what we love to DO, and then he goes further by asking us to figure out how we can spend more time doing these verbs.
Excellent exercises to ponder . . .
during a week of gratitude.
This looks like an interesting project! My kids used to love creating little books like that, and to be honest, so did I. I especially like the exercise of listing verbs we like to DO. I’ll be thinking about this as I spend some time in the kitchen today.
Iove these little books/zines and Austin Kleon is a favorite of mine too
I, too, like the idea of listing verbs (so many I like to do!!). I also like that he has one for children too. I’m checking it out!
I also love the listing of verbs we like to do! Thanks for the link to Austin Kleon! XO
That’s a very cool little zine! I think Felicitas did something similar last year in OLW. I always love fresh takes on gratitude prompts, thank you.
I have a little friend over who is five (school’s out for the week) and I just made a little booklet for her. She’s currently engrossed in making her zine!
I’ll be printing out a few copies of the original one to take to Thanksgiving Dinner.
Thanks!
Very cute idea. I’ll be thinking of my favorite verbs…..I’m sure knitting will be right up there.
Adorable! I may see if kiddo is interested in putting together one of these while she’s off from school this week.
In the past, coming up with those lists might have been a challenge, but now I think the challenge would be to limit myself to only those numbers of things. Nothing like a global pandemic to make you truly appreciate how lucky you are and how much you have to be grateful for!
Love G.K. Chesterton. Thanks for the quote. Love the idea of listing VERBS. Very dynamic. Always thought that counting one’s blessings (another form of gratitude, in a way) might be a great way to lull yourself asleep, instead of the usual worrying. Or you could make a Zine with a 5 year old! But I disagree about listing only 10 things to be grateful for. As an adult, I think you need at least 20 to get beyond the obvious common ones that don’t require enough thought and self-discovery. An art teacher in 8th grade had us fold our paper into 16 squares and create a different pattern in each square. It wasn’t until I got to the 16th square that Lazy Me was forced to go beyond dots, circles and other geometric shapes to be original, finally stepping outside the box. I think this works for gratitude as well…. Your posts always set me a-thinkin’. And perhaps too much writin’, — judging by the length of this comment.
I love this!
Oh my…I have a 12 and 9 year old sisters coming for Thanksgiving…looks like a good project for them!
What a fun little project. Although bookmaking of any kind is not just “little” project. Thank you for passing along the gratitude exercises.