It's no secret that starting your day with gratitude is an essential tool for unlocking happiness and abundance in your life. No matter what season of life you are in, there’s always something you can jot down to be grateful for and in most cases, only takes a few minutes of your day to do.
Writing in a gratitude journal allows you to keep track of an ever-growing list of all the things that you’re thankful for and even sets your mind up to receive things you haven’t gotten yet. From the time you wake up, or go to sleep, the moments, people, and connections that make your day worthwhile are all worth documenting. In doing so, you train your brain into putting the focus on positivity and redirect you from sinking into a rut or bad mood.
Studies show that our brain is wired to fixate on negativity bias, meaning, instead of noticing the good, we tend to pick up on the bad first. That’s just a way our brain tries to protect us and recognize potential threats, but it also means that it takes a little bit more effort to place the focus back on the beauty in our life. And that’s where gratitude journaling comes in.
To assist in getting your brain on the right side of positivity, we’ve compiled a list of reasons you can benefit from keeping a gratitude journal and how it can open up a world of abundance in your life.
Improve Your Positive Emotions:
Writing down things you are grateful for can enhance positive emotions such as happiness, contentment, and joy. By focusing on what you have rather than what you lack, you can cultivate a more positive outlook on life. Studies have shown a link between writing down notes of gratitude to more optimism and an overall better feeling about life. In other words, you may just be a page away from an instant mood boost.
Intelligent Change, The Five Minute Journal: A Happier You in 5 Minutes a Day, $29.00
Stress, Be Gone:
Focusing on the positive aspects of your life can help reduce stress and anxiety. By taking a few minutes each day to reflect on what you are grateful for, you can cultivate a sense of calm and peace. Research suggests that implementing a regular practice of gratitude into your day can have positive effects on the body inside and out. When we worry, it can put unwanted stress on our hearts (physically), so learning how to cope with the pressures of life as it comes—because some days aren’t perfect—can help you level and be steady when the waves come.
Your Mental Health Will Thank You:
Studies have shown that practicing gratitude can improve mental health and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Keeping a gratitude journal can be a helpful tool in managing your mental health, adding that studies have even shown that “people who consciously count their blessings tend to be happier and less depressed.” While the act of writing down three things you’re grateful for or sending yourself a voice memo of a moment that made you smile during your day can give you a fresh perspective on your circumstance and serve as a reminder that even the darkest of days get brighter.
Happy Journal, Happy Life: How drawing your day ignites creativity, boosts gratitude, and skyrockets happiness, $14.99
Get a Boost in Self-Esteem:
Reflecting on your achievements, no matter how small, can help boost your self-esteem and confidence. You can build a sense of pride and self-worth by acknowledging what you have accomplished. Keeping promises to yourself, prioritizing your wellness, and implementing acts of self-care, are all fuel to boost your overall self-image, so don’t forget to make a note of it as you show up for yourself.
Improve Relationships:
Did you know that how we feel about ourselves can show up in the way we relate to others? When we express gratitude for our partners, friends, and family, it can improve our feelings of connectedness and satisfaction within these dynamics. By acknowledging the good things about the people in your life, you can strengthen your connections and build more meaningful relationships.
An Increased Resilience:
Cultivating a practice of gratitude can increase your resilience and ability to cope with difficult situations. Gratitude acts as a defense against the challenging moments that may come about within your day. When we approach the day with what we can control, it helps us balance our emotions and build up our tolerance to manage uncertainties and setbacks.
Papier, Gratitude Journal, $35.00
Develop Mindfulness:
Gratitude journaling can be a form of mindfulness practice, helping you to be more present in the moment and appreciate the beauty of everyday life. By noticing and savoring the small moments of joy, you can cultivate a deeper, more profound sense of appreciation for life.
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RELATED
I had the chance to sit down with the film’s director, Mark Anthony Green, to talk about what inspired this gripping story, how Ayo Edebiri brought something unexpected to the role, and what it was like creating such an immersive world. From cult-like devotion to the dark side of fame, Opus doesn’t just entertain—it makes you think. And according to Mark, that’s exactly the point.
"Best Time Ever"
Opus Movie Screening
Photo by Eric Charbonneau/A24 via Getty Images
Right off the bat, I asked Mark Anthony Green to sum up Opus in just three words. His answer? "Best time ever." Which, if you've seen the trailer, might sound a little ironic considering how intense the film is. But Mark laughed at my skepticism and added, "A little skepticism keeps us all safe."
And honestly, after watching the movie, I might be side-eyeing any future press trips myself.
The Inspiration Behind the Madness
With Opus tackling themes like power, isolation, and the cult of celebrity, I had to know—what sparked the idea for this film?
“There’s this thing I’ve been seeing, and that I think we all have been seeing—how tribalism and idolizing certain figures has become part of people’s identities,” Mark explains. “It’s pushed us away from each other, and it’s become more divisive. I started writing this film six years ago because of that. And, you know, sometimes when you work on a movie for that long, the thing you were grappling with becomes less relevant. But this? This has only become a bigger problem.”
And yet, Mark made one thing clear—while Opus has plenty of social commentary woven into it, the priority was making a wild, entertaining ride. "You described the film as wild, and that’s the highest compliment to me," he says. "I wanted it to be fun, and I wanted people to walk away talking about it."
Ayo Edebiri Like You’ve Never Seen Her Before
Ayo Edebiri
Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
Ayo Edebiri is best known for her comedic chops, but Opus throws her into a completely different arena. So, what made her the perfect choice for this dark, gripping role?
“The great thing about a talented actor like Ayo is they live for being uncomfortable and being challenged,” Mark says. “And Ayo is one of the most talented amongst the talented. People like that, they don’t shy away from something different—they run toward it.”
Mark couldn’t stop raving about her performance, admitting that even after seeing the film “two trillion times,” he still catches new details in her acting. "She makes these weird, brilliant choices, and I’m still in awe of what she did in this film," he says.
And beyond her skill? Mark just loves everything about her. “She’s gorgeous, she’s original, she’s always in a scene, even if it’s not her moment. I love her skin complexion, her background, her sense of humor. I started out as a fan, and now I’m her biggest fan.”
The Cult-Like Energy and Twisted Twists
Opus has a heavy psychological thriller vibe, with a mysterious, cult-like energy running through it. I asked Mark if any real-life events or films inspired its eerie tone.
His answer? “We recorded John Malkovich, The-Dream, and Nile Rodgers in a Boston studio before filming even started. That was the first moment this whole experiment really felt real. John hit a note, and everyone in the room just kind of looked around like, ‘Holy sh*t.’ It was electric. That alchemy of talent coming together—I’ll never forget it.”
And as for those jaw-dropping twists? Mark was very intentional about keeping the audience on edge. “I wanted every scene to make you question what’s real and what’s not,” he says. “If you think you know what’s going to happen, you’re wrong.”
A Fast and Furious Filmmaking Process
For such a visually stunning and layered film, you’d think Opus had a massive budget and months of shooting time. Nope.
“We shot for 19 days,” Mark reveals. “Which is nothing.”
And yet, the film doesn’t feel rushed at all. That’s thanks to an all-star crew, from the cinematographer to the costume designer. “We didn’t have an excess of resources, but we had incredibly talented people who overdelivered,” he says. “The film has a gravitas that our budget doesn’t reflect, and I’m so proud of that.”
Shoutout to the hair and makeup team, too—because Ayo’s hair was laid flawlessly the entire time. “And that’s not easy when you’re shooting out of order and on such a tight schedule,” Mark laughs. “It was an insane puzzle, but the crew made it work.”
Go See "Opus"—Like, Right Now
If you love thrillers that keep you guessing, Opus is a must-watch. It’s smart, stylish, and just unsettling enough to stick with you long after the credits roll. Plus, Ayo Edebiri in a leading thriller role? We need more of this.
So, consider this your official announcement: Grab your friends, your popcorn, and maybe a nightlight—because Opus is in theaters now, and you don’t want to miss it.
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Feature image by Eric Charbonneau/A24 via Getty Images