A Gratitude Ritual

Abstract

This project started off with gathering information on gratitude: what it is, how it can be practiced and how it contributes to subjective well-being. Amongst scientific papers, two specifically interesting books can be found: Gratitude works! (Emmons, R. A., 2013) and The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want (Lyubomirsky, S., 2007) which can be recommended to everyone with an interest in gratitude. Part 1: Hear In the first part of the report, an analysis is done on rituals, from where gratitude is involved, to more specific ways to practice gratitude (inter alia by means of journals and apps). A deeper understanding is gained about the elements needed to practice gratitude. The problem is not defined by how and when to list or write about good things in life, but rather how to increase people’s conscious awareness (of gratitude’s emotional and symbolic meaning) and how to integrate this practice into daily life. The design goal was therefore: “Making people between 20 and 40 years old (more) aware of the things they can be grateful for in their daily lives.” Part 2: Create In the second part of the report some simple ideas were tested, called probes. First, the probes helped to explore how pleasure can be gained, more directly and from something visible, on the short term when practicing gratitude. Second, it was explored how people can be triggered to practice gratitude regularly in daily life. It was discovered that the target group, of temperate and open-minded people from 20 to 40 years old, does not like extensive writing or deep reflection on gratitude. The majority has simply not thought about another way to practice gratitude in everyday life, some expect it to take much time, to be difficult or they do not expect anything to derive from it. With low-effort taken into consideration, the following vision was created: “Make people practice gratitude as they water flowers, making flower buds bloom with just a simple act in full awareness”. After the importance of involving an element of surprise, providing variation (by offering various gratitude topics) and the right guidance became clear, four concepts were presented. From the four concepts Gratitea, a tea ritual, is chosen to be developed further. The advantage of a tea ritual, is that it is an existing moment in itself, whereas a night lamp (one of the other concepts) is an existing product, but less of a moment. The concept is developed into an incentive to practice gratitude by offering: three ‘assignments’ (that stimulate people to do more than thinking: to cherish a memory, experience the moment and pass something on) and a set of twelve topics, that ensure variation and inspiration. Suggestions on how to practice gratitude and quotes of people’s gratitude experiences were tested with a focus group and then developed into poems. The poems are connected to the twelve topics and inspire people, without depriving their freedom to make a personal interpretation. They may help people to make associations and get them in touch with their feelings. Also a changeover is made from ceramic cups to paper cups, to extend the tea ritual to other hot beverages, making the group of people that can be reached much bigger. Part 3: Deliver The ritual was given a new name: Warm Thoughts. A graphical style that appeals to a large audience and fits the company Creatuals, was developed and the cups were tested in an office environment and coffee house. The idea is that employees and owners of coffeehouses or public spaces (with a hot beverages machine) would need to buy Warm Thoughts, and their (office) workers, customers or visitors just have to choose to take this ‘special’ cup now and then. Recommendations are given that have to be considered when launching Warm Thoughts. Lastly, there is an evaluation on the proces of creating this gratitude ritual, a new step to a life where one is consciously more aware of the good things in life to be grateful for.