Yellow Kite’s Gratitude Diary

Inspired by Janice Kaplan, through May the Yellow Kite team kept a Gratitude Diary to help us remember the little things that keep us smiling and stop us feeling overwhelmed with the less happy stuff! We highly recommend trying it out. Here’s what we came up with over two weeks:

WEEK 1

Monday 

Lizzi Jones: Today I am grateful for the cycle to work and the chance it gives me to explore a different part of London each day.

Tuesday 

Caitriona Horne: I had a day off work to attend Buckingham Palace Garden Party today and yesterday evening Yellow Kite ‘highly commended’ at the British Book Industry Awards, so I feel very grateful for lots of things at the moment! The one I’m going to focus on though, is the support you can find in a ladies’ loo. I’m not used to wearing a fancy hat and felt very self concious, but when I got chatting to three elderly ladies in the Queen’s portaloos I found they all felt the same. After agreeing that everyone in fact looked lovely and carried off hats with aplomb (and hairpins) we all left with more of a spring in our step.

Wednesday 

Dan Fraser: Today I was grateful for the late Spring weather which meant we could have our dinner outside in the flourishing garden.

Thursday 

Liz Gough: I am grateful for living in an amazing city like London where I can get up and go for a swim in my lovely local swimming pool before coming to work (and for being able to pick up a great flat white in the rooftop café when I get here!)

Friday 

Becca Mundy: After a difficult week I am grateful for my colleagues who I am fortunate enough to also call my friends. It’s truly great to come to work with your pals every day. They are the people who can make me laugh, remind me to keep perspective and pick each other up in times of need, not to mention they’re a pretty fun bunch of people!

WEEK 2 (we’re getting into this now)

Monday

Veronique Norton: I am grateful for our morning yoga sessions at Hachette – organised by our brilliant colleague Emily from Hachette Children’s the classes offer a little moment of calm before an (often meeting packed) Tuesday!

Tuesday

Briony Gowlett: Today I am grateful for my dad who has kindly given me my birthday present two months early – it’s garden furniture in case you’re interested. He took pity on me and the very sorry looking picnic bench we inherited from the previous owner of our house. He’s ace, my dad that is.

Wednesday

Louise Swannell: This week I am grateful for being part of a really supportive and lovely team. Couldn’t do my job and laugh as much as I do when I come to work without them.

Thursday

Emma Knight: I’m SO grateful for the way my two sons are embracing a forthcoming house move with such excitement and sense of adventure. We thought we would be dealing with weeks of worry (they are moving school too) and instead they can’t wait to cross off another day on the calendar. Only 61 sleeps to go…

Friday

Lauren Whelan: I am grateful for the lovely weather, as it means I can have a leisurely walk home along the river all the way to South London, without having to step foot on the tube!