The letter of gratitude as a profound exercise

The 'gratitude letter' is a particularly powerful positive psychology exercise designed to express deep appreciation to a specific person who has had a significant positive impact on the writer's life.

This practice goes beyond a simple verbal thank you, seeking a deeper emotional connection for both the sender and the receiver.

Purpose of the Exercise

The purpose of this exercise is for the person writing the letter to reflect carefully on someone he or she genuinely cares about.

We seek to identify particular events, shared experiences or specific actions of that person for which we feel deep gratitude.

The intention is to capture these feelings in a detailed and sincere way.

Elaboration of the Letter of Gratitude

To write the letter, some simple but important guidelines should be followed:

• Address the letter specifically to the person you wish to thank.

• When writing the first draft, do not be overly concerned with grammar or spelling; the focus should be on authentic expression of feelings.

• Describe in detail the specific actions or behaviors of that person that generated the gratitude. It is important to be specific and mention particular situations.

• Explain in detail how that person's behavior or actions positively affected the sender's life. It is about communicating the impact it had.

The Charter Delivery. A Significant Moment

Although writing the letter is already beneficial, the exercise reaches its full potential when it is delivered and read to the recipient.

It is strongly recommended that the letter be delivered in person, if possible.

During this meeting, it is suggested that the letter be read aloud to the addressee.

This act of sharing feelings of gratitude in a direct way usually generates a very powerful and positive emotional experience for both parties, strengthening the bond between them.

If in-person delivery is not feasible due to distance or circumstances such as a health crisis, technology tools can be used to make a video call (via Skype, Zoom, Facebook, etc.) and read the letter during the call.

Although it is not the same as physical contact, it allows for a more personal connection than simply sending a letter in the mail.