Gratitude Garden

Izzy McRae

About this app

This app will help you be happier! It pushes you to think about what has gone right in your day, which has been shown to increase happiness. Every time you note down what good things have happened (and there is always something), you receive points you can use to build up a garden and also a Gratitude Card with suggestions for further things you could do to increase your gratitude and happiness.

Research shows that one of the most effective ways that people can become happier is to note down the good things that happen every day. This shifts our focus onto what has gone right, rather than leaving us to ruminate about problems.

There is a huge amount of research indicating that the act of recalling and writing down what has gone well each day is one of the best way to increase your happiness. One study found that gratitude journaling for ten weeks increased happiness by 25% over the people who didn't keep a gratitude journal. Gratitude is also linked to high self-esteem, kindness, good health, energy and generosity.

The Gratitude Garden was designed by Izzy McRae, a coach and happiness teacher. You can find out more information about her and her courses at www.izzymcrae.com. Neville Sattentau produced the beautiful artwork. His website is www.nevart.co.uk.

Ratings and reviews

I love the simplicity of this app. Other gratitude apps I've tried have been too busy or new agey, and when I've started a gratitude journal in a physical notebook, I always lose track of it. This app is a great way for me to focus on the positive during a challenging period in my life. I like the inspirational cards: they are short and direct. I really like the analogy of the garden and the concept of gaining points to add to it. The only thing I would change is the visual design of the garden: if the base image was more muted, I would be able to see my garden filling with life more effectively. As it is I can't really tell how much stuff I have added. And I'd love to be able to add more animals and plants to more gardens someday. But that's a very minor quibble. Overall this app is fantastic and I highly recommend it.

I like this app. It's good to pause and focus on gratitude. Also, the suggestion cards are nice. The "garden" aspect isn't much though. The additions you make don't stand out, and are lost in the background. It's a cool idea, but not that attractive, and I probably won't bother with that anymore.

EDIT 10/11/20 developer fixed the app! I need to try it for awhile before that 5 star and still wanted to thank her for the speed, personal attention, and thoughtfulness of her messages. Huzzah 10/6/20 I'm looking forward to a fix and reinstall! ORIGINAL REVIEW GG has been wonderful for years; it stopped saving and stopped being uploaded about 2 months ago. Too bad! I loved the garden, affirmation cards, and simplicity. It used to be so positive; now I'm just seeing lost gratitudes (the irony!)

What's new

-adapter to android 13